The sensation of obstruction in the throat refers to the symptom where it feels like there is a foreign object stuck in the throat, which cannot be coughed up or swallowed down. However, it does not hinder the intake of food.

Jingui Yaolue describes this condition as "feeling as if there is a grilled meatball in the throat," and "The Ancient and Modern Medical Mirror" refers to it as "globus hystericus."

Any swallowing difficulties caused by other diseases are not within the scope of discussion for this condition.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Liver Qi Rising Counterflow︰A sensation of obstruction in the throat, like a plum pit, which cannot be coughed up or swallowed down, sometimes disappearing without hindering swallowing. Symptoms often worsen with emotional distress. May be accompanied by dizziness, irritability, chest and hypochondriac distension, belching, thin tongue coating, and a wiry pulse. Mostly caused by abnormal dispersion of the Liver Meridian and disharmony of qi descent, hence the sensation of a foreign body in the throat that cannot be coughed up or swallowed down, sometimes disappearing without affecting eating. Concurrent symptoms include dizziness, irritability, and distension of the flanks. Treatment should focus on soothing the liver and regulating qi, using Modified Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Powder combined with Xuanfu Daizhe Decoction.
2. Phlegm Congealing with Qi Stagnation︰Throat obstruction, sometimes mild and sometimes severe, with profuse and sticky or yellow phlegm, chest tightness, anorexia, greasy tongue coating, and soggy-slippery pulse. Mostly caused by impaired spleen transportation, leading to the production of phlegm-dampness. When phlegm congeals, it causes qi stagnation, manifesting as throat obstruction that fluctuates in severity, with profuse and sticky phlegm in the throat that is difficult to expectorate, and chest tightness with little relief. Treatment should focus on resolving phlegm and diffusing the center, using Four Seven Decoction. If phlegm-dampness is accompanied by heat, with a red throat and yellow phlegm, treatment should focus on resolving phlegm and clearing heat, using Throat-Clearing and Diaphragm-Disinhibiting Decoction.
3. Lung Heatyin Deficiency︰The throat is red, dry, and slightly painful, with a sensation of obstruction as if something is stuck. There is dry cough with scanty sputum, vexing heat, night sweats, a thin yellow tongue coating with a red tongue body, and a thin, rapid pulse. This condition is mostly caused by heat scorching the lungs, consuming yin fluids, impairing the descending of qi, and depriving the throat of moisture, hence the redness and sensation of obstruction in the throat. Associated symptoms include a dry and slightly painful throat, dry cough with scanty sputum, vexing heat, and night sweats. Treatment should focus on moistening the lungs and clearing heat, using the formula Enriching Yin and Clearing the Lung Decoction with modifications.