Pharyngeal Dysesthesia: A Symptom, Not a Disease
Pharyngeal dysesthesia is a symptom rather than a disease. It represents a dysfunction of sensation in the throat, originating from the autonomic nervous system. This condition occurs more frequently in women than in men, particularly in postmenopausal women and individuals experiencing psychological disturbances.
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| Throat examination for patients (Photo: TTO) |
Given that the throat serves as a junction for the digestive and respiratory tracts and is rich in nerve systems, pharyngeal dysesthesia can arise from various causes when exposed to irritants, such as diseases or injuries in the throat, teeth, mouth, or even further along the esophagus, and even in the stomach-intestines, cervical spine, including metabolic or endocrine disorders.
Pharyngeal dysesthesia typically manifests as a subjective sensation of a foreign body stuck in the throat (such as the feeling of choking on a bone) or a mass developing and compressing the throat (often leading to a fear of throat cancer). However, this sensation of obstruction is only perceived when swallowing saliva, while eating does not present any difficulties or obstacles! Accompanying symptoms may include depression, chest tightness, bloating, poor appetite, and acid reflux.
In assessing a patient with pharyngeal dysesthesia, physicians must conduct a thorough examination to rule out all potential organic causes, such as actual bone obstruction, early-stage cancer, or benign tumors causing throat compression. Only after this can psychological disturbances, such as phobias, anxiety disorders, or hysteria, be considered. For these latter causes, psychological therapy plays a decisive role.
