1. < Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)

What causes Clicking or Popping in Throat when Swallowing?

Posted by mushroom @mushroom, Oct 2, 2020

I was doing some neck massages a few days ago and then afterwards whenever I swallow, I feel a clicking/popping sensation and sound when my larynx moves up upon swallow. There is no pain at the moment but the popping sensation in my throat gives me anxiety whenever I swallow. Is this the result of the cartilage rubbing on each other? Is it from the hyoid bone rubbing the thyroid cartilage? Are there exercises that can fix this?

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 20, 2021
In reply to @mojave79 "Hi All, I'm somewhat relieved to find this active thread as I've been exhausted in my..." + (show)
@mojave79

Hi All, I'm somewhat relieved to find this active thread as I've been exhausted in my search for answers as to why I am experiencing swallowing issues. In short, a few months ago, I noticed a pop/click/crunch (it varies) when swallowing. It can be heard and felt (by myself internally and externally through the skin), occurring in the area of my hyoid/thyrohyoid membrane/thyroid cartilage. It isn't painful, but it's jarring and alarming. I need to constantly reposition my neck to relieve it. This symptom came on rather suddenly, but I can't point to a specific action or event that directly caused it. It has increased in frequency and occurs on and off throughout the day. I'd say that literally half of my swallowing triggers this symptom in a given day.

I first saw an ENT who told me that it was probably just some ossification due to aging (I'm a 41 year old man, non smoker). He ordered an ultrasound and nothing was discovered. I tried to ignore it but couldn't, so more recently, I saw another ENT. He originally thought it could be my Hyoid hitting my cervical vertebrae. However, after ordering a CT scan, it was clear that wasn't the case. What was discovered were two things: I have early ossification of my thyrohyoid membrane and my thyroid cartilage area is out of alignment, curving to the right by a few millimeters. The ENT was perplexed and wondered if the misalignment was the cause of my positioning during the CT scan. However, both my mandible and spine seem to be centered. He thinks my symptoms may be caused by the ossification and/or the misalignment. He was also perplexed because he only sees something like this in patients who have suffered trauma to the neck. I have not had that, maybe except sleeping in a horrible position from time to time. He also though it may be from an older injury I could have suffered, even as a child. But, it's unclear to me why this symptom would now appear. The ENT told me to take an anti-inflammatory for a month and to give him a call to reassess. He also said he may eventually send me to see another specialist or therapist specializing in swallowing. I feel a bit hopeless at this point as I've seen two ENTs and had a CT Scan, ultrasound and I've been scoped in the office. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I'm also attaching the CT scan, which shows the misalignment.

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Hello @mojave79 and welcome to Mayo Connect. As you probably know, we on Mayo Connect are not medical professionals, but patients like yourself, who give and receive support as we go through health problems. As an ENT specialist has mentioned that your problem is perplexing, this may not be an easy problem to diagnose.

I too have had swallowing problems, not exactly like yours, but I realize the feeling of discomfort when swallowing becomes an effort or a problem. If you would be comfortable sharing more, I'm wondering if you have any speech problems? I'm thinking of things like a raspy voice, etc. I'm also wondering if either of the ENT docs that you saw took a look at your vocal cords (this would have been a procedure they did in the office by putting a tube with a camera down your nose)?

Regarding the possible cause of your problems being related to an injury, I'm wondering if you have ever been in an accident where a seat belt was being used and it put pressure on that side of your neck/throat? What about surgeries you may have had where you might have been intubated? These types of injuries do not always cause problems right away, but sometimes years later. These are not meant to be diagnoses but just suggestions for you to think about.

As I always suggest when you are having a hard-to-diagnose problem, I would encourage you to seek a second opinion at a multidisciplinary health center like Mayo Clinic or a university medical school. These types of medical facilities are research-oriented and tend to be able to diagnose and treat perplexing problems.

Is it possible for you to seek a second opinion at a facility like that?

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mojave79 | @mojave79 | Jan 20, 2021

Thanks @hopeful33250 I don't have any speech problems and my voice hasn't been altered. Both ENTs used a tube with the camera and looked at my vocal cords. I luckily haven't been in a car accident and the only throat surgery I've had was a tonsillectomy when I was 4. I think I'm going to seek another opinion as well....particularly now that I have a CT scan. I'm wondering if there is some type of scan that can be done as I'm swallowing that would reveal more info.

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1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 21, 2021
In reply to @mojave79 "Thanks @hopeful33250 I don't have any speech problems and my voice hasn't been altered. Both ENTs..." + (show)
@mojave79

Thanks @hopeful33250 I don't have any speech problems and my voice hasn't been altered. Both ENTs used a tube with the camera and looked at my vocal cords. I luckily haven't been in a car accident and the only throat surgery I've had was a tonsillectomy when I was 4. I think I'm going to seek another opinion as well....particularly now that I have a CT scan. I'm wondering if there is some type of scan that can be done as I'm swallowing that would reveal more info.

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Hello @mojave79

Yes, there are swallowing studies. I have them done several times as I have a paralyzed vocal cord. Here is some information about a Dynamic Swallowing Study, from Mayo Clinic's website, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dysphagia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20372033

"Dynamic swallowing study. You swallow barium-coated foods of different consistencies. This test provides an image of these foods as they travel through your mouth and down your throat. The images may show problems in the coordination of your mouth and throat muscles when you swallow and determine whether food is going into your breathing tube."

I've also had another of the tests listed in this link the barium swallow test. I'm not sure it was as effective in diagnosis as was the dynamic swallowing study. However, my problem is somewhat different than yours.Are there any types of foods or liquids that are more difficult for you to swallow?

I would encourage you to keep doing research and seeking answers. This may be a difficult problem to both diagnose and treat. Therefore your own advocacy will serve you well in the future. Be patient with the process! Wishing you well!

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chris77 | @chris77 | Jan 21, 2021
In reply to @erikas "@shey Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. May I ask..." + (show)
@erikas

@shey Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support. May I ask how many providers and the specialty of the provider(s)?

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Hello I was hoping to find a solution to my case.Two years ago while asleep i sneezed heavily and when I got up I observed some changes in my breathing,its as if I tore something inside the left wall of my throat.My left nostril takes in too much air which I think is because of the wound,However the doctors in the ENT never believed me.Now I can’t talk for few minutes without having to take a break just to catch my breath my condition is worse sometimes I feel my vocal cords are cracking.Also my chest seems trapped with air which feels uncomfortable and all these started from a single sneeze.please I really need help

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Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jan 21, 2021
In reply to @jramirez77 "Ok oct 31 2020 I choked in a restaurant. I was dying.a big man performed the..." + (show)
@jramirez77

Ok oct 31 2020 I choked in a restaurant. I was dying.a big man performed the Heimlich on me and saved my life in front of my children. Im forever greatful.against everyone's advice i didn't follow up at e.r. I was sore but figured I'd be fine.well a few weeks later my throat started clicking when I swallowed and mind you after the choking episode it happened twice more a few days later. so I was thinking all the anxiety and stress caused me to chew chew chew drink swallow and swallow many times.i went to hospital as clicking has driven me nuts.they did an xray all normal. I have been treated like I'm crazy and sent back and fourth to drs.finally I have endoscopy on the 19th.now I have sore throat.throat clearing ear and jaw pain.and the wonderful clicking.i do have tmj and gerd.im so terrified its a tumor and even though I have never smoked drank or done drugs I know cancer is still possible.my primary care said in all his years hes never heard of this.if.i gently push in on the right side of my neck/throat its cracked and feels like an accordian.like.crunchy springy?this is the strangest thing I've ever had.i need dr. House. Please pray for me.i am raising my niece and nephew after my sisters death.they need me.

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Hello @jramirez77

As I recall from your earlier post, you were scheduled to have an EGD a few days ago. I was thinking about you and wondering if the EGD gave your doctor some more information about your problem. Will you post with an update when it's convenient?

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lupin | @lupin | Jan 23, 2021

<p>Click in throat</p><p>Rarely i involuntarily have some clicks in my throat, i also have them in my ears all the time when i swallow, but the main issue is my throat, i dont know how to express myself but i can clench my throat or at least thats how i feel and when i do that i cant inhale through my nose, im 19 years old, im really worried is it possible to clench your throat like close it, i feel the front part of my neck touching my back part of my neck inside my throat because the front part is getting stuck to something, but all that is when i voluntarily do it, i just flex my neck and my adam s bone goes up and it makes weird sounds</p>

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2 replies
Erika | @erikas | Jan 23, 2021
In reply to @lupin "Click in throatRarely i involuntarily have some clicks in my throat, i also have them in..." + (show)
@lupin

<p>Click in throat</p><p>Rarely i involuntarily have some clicks in my throat, i also have them in my ears all the time when i swallow, but the main issue is my throat, i dont know how to express myself but i can clench my throat or at least thats how i feel and when i do that i cant inhale through my nose, im 19 years old, im really worried is it possible to clench your throat like close it, i feel the front part of my neck touching my back part of my neck inside my throat because the front part is getting stuck to something, but all that is when i voluntarily do it, i just flex my neck and my adam s bone goes up and it makes weird sounds</p>

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@lupin Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect, a place to give and get support.

You are experiencing involuntary "clicks" in your throat and ears and you are worried.

You will notice that I moved your question to a previous discussion related to "clicks" in the throat. I did this so you could connect with members like @mushroom @nrd1 @shey @geminiman17 @ch665296f @klangston85 that are experiencing something similar and/or have previously discussed this topic.

You want to scroll through the previous posts to look for information and suggestions.

May I ask if you have seen your primary care provider (doctor) about this issue?

REPLY
@seekinginfo | @nrd1 | Jan 23, 2021
In reply to @lupin "Click in throatRarely i involuntarily have some clicks in my throat, i also have them in..." + (show)
@lupin

<p>Click in throat</p><p>Rarely i involuntarily have some clicks in my throat, i also have them in my ears all the time when i swallow, but the main issue is my throat, i dont know how to express myself but i can clench my throat or at least thats how i feel and when i do that i cant inhale through my nose, im 19 years old, im really worried is it possible to clench your throat like close it, i feel the front part of my neck touching my back part of my neck inside my throat because the front part is getting stuck to something, but all that is when i voluntarily do it, i just flex my neck and my adam s bone goes up and it makes weird sounds</p>

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@lupin-it’s sounds like you are someone who is hypersensitive/hyper aware of their body and sounds it makes. Everyone’s auditory sounds in their body resonate differently to them. Clicks in your ears are normal when you swallow, as your
Eustscian tubes open and close upon swallowing. Some people’s louder than others. Other people swallow with more force than others, making you more aware of that area. It sounds like you have become hyper focused on this, which is the cause for you, using the word “worry”. Just remember the body is complex and amazing at the same time. It is constantly working for you at all times. I would look to see if you are spending more time on your own right now and or if you have a way to focus on pleasurable things. You say you are doing this voluntarily. I would assume that if you stopped the voluntary movements and shift your focus, the sounds and worry would fade into the background. Just a thought hope this helps.

REPLY
roseferns | @roseferns | Jan 27, 2021
In reply to @mushroom "Thanks for the recommendation. I actually got the clicking in my throat after trying some throat..." + (show)
@mushroom

Thanks for the recommendation. I actually got the clicking in my throat after trying some throat massages so I'm afraid to try this out just in case I make it worse. I'm planning on going to the doctors soon though so hopefully this isn't serious. I appreciate the recommendation!

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I have to after ma@sagung my neck and it hasn't gone. Has your condition changed?

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2 replies
roseferns | @roseferns | Jan 27, 2021
In reply to @roseferns "I have to after ma@sagung my neck and it hasn't gone. Has your condition changed?" + (show)
@roseferns

I have to after ma@sagung my neck and it hasn't gone. Has your condition changed?

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I meant massaging myself. I am such a fool to di massage my neck during a panic attack

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