At a family gathering, Uncle Zhang suddenly stopped the chopsticks in his hand, and his expression was a little troubled. He whispered to his nephew, who was sitting next to him, "Recently, when I was eating, I always felt like something was stuck in my throat, and I didn't feel good drinking water. This feeling had been bothering him for months, and at first he thought it was just a normal throat irritation, maybe it was dry weather or eating too fast. But as time went on, this foreign body sensation not only did not relieve, but became more and more pronounced. This made Uncle Zhang start to worry, is this not just a simple discomfort, but some kind of warning signal from the body? 
A foreign body sensation in the throat is a common symptom that many people may experience, and it is usually blamed on everyday things like food scraps, allergic reactions, or a sore throat caused by a cold. However, when this sensation persists and is accompanied by difficulty swallowing or a change in voice, it may indicate a more serious health problem. Perhaps the most worrisome of these is laryngeal tumors. When you feel as if something is stuck in your throat, the discomfort may be a warning sign from your body. A foreign body sensation in the larynx is more than just a sensation, it can be caused by a variety of causes, and understanding these causes is essential to identify potential health problems. More than dryness: nonneoplastic causes of laryngeal foreign body sensation Pharyngitis: Pharyngeal discomfort due to prolonged inflammation, commonly caused by excessive use of the vocal cords, smoking, or irritation caused by environmental factors. Reflux esophagitis: The reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus, triggering a burning sensation in the throat and a foreign body sensation, is a common consequence of modern eating habits. Allergic reactions: Seasonal or year-round allergies, such as pollen allergies, can cause swelling of the throat and a foreign body sensation. Dryness and dehydration: Dryness of the throat due to lack of hydration, especially during winter indoor heating. These conditions can often be alleviated with lifestyle modifications and appropriate **. Maintaining a good hydration status, avoiding known irritants, using a humidifier, and seeking targeted medications** are all effective ways to reduce this foreign body sensation. When a foreign body is persistently felt in the throat, the sensation can be far worse than the usual discomfort. Unlike the common temporary foreign body sensation caused by pharyngitis or allergies, the neoplastic throat foreign body sensation carries a deeper warning. This feeling is usually constant and does not ease with changing positions or eating or drinking. Especially in the absence of an obvious cold or sore throat, special attention is required if this foreign body sensation is accompanied by the following characteristics:
Changes in the voice: Tumors in the larynx may compress the vocal cords, causing hoarseness, and changes in the texture of the voice may be an early sign of tumor invasion. Difficulty swallowing: As the tumor grows, the discomfort when swallowing increases. It may be difficult to eat solid foods at first, but over time, even liquids may be difficult to swallow. Difficulty breathing: The growth of the tumor may block part of the airway, making it difficult to breathe, especially at night or when lying down. Persistent earache: Tumors in the larynx can affect peripheral nerves, causing earache, especially if the tumor is on one side of the throat, which may also be ipsilateral. Weight loss: If there is unintentional weight loss with the above symptoms, it may be due to a reduced diet due to dysphagia, or the body's response to tumor growth. The cause of the diagnosis of a foreign body sensation in the throat is a path that needs to be carefully explored. This process usually begins with a thorough history and physical examination, with doctors paying particular attention to the nature of the symptoms, their duration, and their impact on daily life. The following are the key steps that may be taken in the diagnostic process: Laryngoscopy: This is the preferred method for examining the structure of the larynx, through which you can look directly inside the throat to see if there are tumor growths or other abnormalities. This test can be both diagnostic and can help assess the size and location of the tumor. Imaging tests, including X-rays, CT scans and MRIs, provide detailed images of the larynx and surrounding tissues to help determine the exact location of the tumor and whether it has spread. 
Bioscopy and biopsy: If laryngoscopy or imaging tests reveal an abnormal area, your doctor may perform a bioscopy to remove a tiny tissue sample for a biopsy to confirm whether it is a malignant tumor. Blood tests: While blood tests can't directly diagnose laryngeal tumors, they can provide information about the body's overall health and help rule out or confirm other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.