What to Do for Globus and IBS

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Healthcare worker checking man's throat
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Both are considered functional gastrointestinal disorders, (FGIDs), in that no reason for the symptoms show up in standard diagnostic tests, so it may make you wonder if there is a connection between the two. In this overview, you will learn about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of globus, as well as see if there is any possible overlap between globus and IBS. You will also find some ideas as to what you can do if you find yourself dealing with both problems at the same time.

What Is Globus?

Globus is a persistent or intermittent sensation that there is something stuck in the back of your throat, when in actuality there is nothing there. The symptom of globus is a surprisingly common. In research studies, the sensation has been reported by nearly half of healthy study participants. However, the actual disorder is relatively rare.


The condition was originally named "glubus hystericus" but it has subsequently been shown to be unrelated to a "hysterical" psychiatric condition. It is now known by the more accurate and less judgmental name, "globus phayrngeus," which acknowledges the involvement of the muscles of the pharynx in the condition.


Globus does not typically present as a painful sensation, but rather the sense that there is a lump or some sort of pressure or foreign object in your throat. It may also feel like a sensation of tension or constriction in your throat. The lump may feel like it is moving up and down, or less commonly, side to side.

The sensations associated with globus should be lessened when you eat or drink something, but may be worsened when you swallow nothing but your own saliva. Globus should not cause you any difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia). Some people with globus may find that their voice gets hoarse, raspy or husky, or tires easily. The effect on the voice may be more likely to be a result of acid reflux rather than the globus itself.





Motility problems of the pharynx: The pharynx is an organ in the back of your throat that plays a role in both digestion and breathing. As part of digestion, it moves food into your esophagus, while as part of breathing, it warms and moistens air before it enters your windpipe. For some people, a problem with how this organ operates may contribute to the symptom of globus.

Health problems affecting the pharynx: Health problems, such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and postnasal drip from sinusitus, may cause the pharynx to become irritated or inflamed, leading to a sensitivity of the nerves in the area and a resulting globus sensation.



Rare medical problems contributing to globus symptoms: There are also some fairly rare problems that can cause a person to experience the symptoms of globus. These include an anatomical problem, such as that with with the epiglottis (a little flap that covers the opening of your windpipe when you swallow), and benign or cancerous tumors.

Contributing Lifestyle Factors


1. Stress: Although globus was originally thought to be almost exclusively psychological in nature, research on the subject since has been quite mixed. Some studies have shown an association between globus and a psychiatric diagnosis, such as depression or an anxiety disorder, while other studies have shown no such association . What is clear is that the symptoms of globus are typically worsened when a person who has globus is anxious or under stress. This worsening of symptoms is probably due to a subconscious tightening of the muscles in the area of the throat.





Globus is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that it is made after other health problems have been ruled out. If you are experiencing globus symptoms, you should be seen by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor. They may recommend one or more of the following diagnostic tests:

  • Barium swallow (x-rays taken after swallowing a barium solution)
  • Endoscopy (tube inserted through your mouth into your esophagus)
  • Videofluoroscopy (x-rays taken while eating and drinking)

Could It Be Cancer?


  • Pain during swallowing
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Sensation is only on one side of the throat
  • Solid foods get stuck in the throat
  • Symptoms are constant and/or are worsening
  • Signs of bleeding in the mouth


Most of the time, all that is needed for dealing with globus is the reassurance that you don't have cancer. However, if your symptoms are quite disruptive and distracting, other treatments are available. In some cases, a treatment may be recommended because it addresses any possible underlying contributors to the symptom, while in other cases the treatment recommended is one that focuses directly on the globus. Here are some possible options:

  • Therapy with a speech and language pathologist
  • Medication and diet changes to reduce acid reflux
  • Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
  • Antidepressants
  • If applicable, smoking cessation programs

Surgery is a very rarely used modality; but may be recommended if thryroid disease or an anatomical epiglottis problem (retroverted epiglottis) is present.

Overlap With IBS

Athough a research review yields one older study that is widely cited and that asserts that globus is a "common" symptom of IBS, such research does not appear to have been replicated. However, if you do have both, there are some things that you can do that may help ease the symptoms of both problems:


2. Avoid alcohol, coffee, and carbonated drinks which can be irritants to your entire digestive system.


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