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What causes Clicking or Popping in Throat when Swallowing?
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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I will try to keep this short but informative. We had a cold run through our house a couple weeks ago. Typical congestion, light coughing etc. I remember my throat being very dry and plenty of post nasal drip from the sickness but didn’t really feel that bad, none of us did. With my throat being really dry I remember swallowing constantly. During that swallowing a popping in my throat appeared. At least that’s when I remember myself noticing the popping.
The popping is at the top of my swallow. At my Adam’s apple/below my chin. It feels like a cartilage or tendon pop. It only occurs while looking straight ahead. Left, right, up or down results in no pop. I also feel no pop while eating or drinking. I have no pain and no trouble breathing or swallowing. I don’t recall any “trauma” to my throat but who knows when you wrestle a 4 and two year old all day.
I did got to my general practitioner a he said it does seem odd but doesn’t feel it’s something to worry over. He recommended me to an ENT to talk to an expert.
This is going on for two weeks now and my anxiety is through the roof thinking I have throat cancer and I can’t seem to convince myself otherwise. I guess I’m just a fatalist. Just turning to the mayo community for some help. Please and thank you.
My issue started when I was eating my dinner. I was eating fast and wasn’t chewing the food properly and the food didn’t go down all at the same time. And after that second swallow I felt something was still in my throat. So I tried coughing and throwing up and gargling. Nothing helped. 2 days later I had a lot of phlegm in my throat that lead to constant throat clearing. And swallowing. The day after is when I noticed the clicking. So I thought it was from excessive throat clearing and swallowing. And that it will take some time to go away. This happened last April. I finally decided to go to the chiropractor to get adjusted. Figuring something was out of place and maybe this was what I need to put it back in place. But that didn’t work. I had and endoscopy and they didn’t see anything. I forgot what it was like before high anxiety of my throat it’s been this way with clicking for so long. It is so frustrating. No doctor that I have been to can see anything that is causing the issue. Some days it gets better and some days it’s worse. I’m just waiting and praying for the day I don’t stress about my throat with eating and the clicking when swallowing. I’m so glad I found this forum. Because you feel like the only person who this happens to. I’m hoping we all find a solution this is problem once and for all. I also feel a somewhat tight band on the front of my neck. And it’s sensitive to touch. Praying someone can share their solution.
Same here. Nobody seems to know what this is or how to fix it. I pray it go away for us very soon.
Have you had yours looked at yet?
Yes many times. Even an endoscopy. Can’t find anything that’s causing it. One ent said it might be tendons rubbing but doesn’t know if and when it will go away. It’s restricting to move my head certain ways too. Interferes with eating too especially certain foods. Sometimes of I swallow a certain way when I tilt my head it might not click.
My biggest concern is the thought I have throat cancer. Was that something you thought? Did your doctors rule that out for sure? Im 32 and chewed tobacco for about 12 years, quit once for a year and am currently quitting for good. My doctor knows that and told me it’s most likely not cancer but my anxiety is through the roof. Until I see the ENT, it’s going to worry me.
No that wasn’t a thought for me because this happened right after I was eating.
I feel crazy.
I know it. I do too. I hope going to the ent will shed some light for me. It’s another week away so this week will be tough. As soon as I know more I will be posting it here.
Ok hang in there. Think positive. We are doing everything we can to get some answers. We will be ok. Stress doesn’t make it any better either. Yes please keep me posted!