Throat discomfort and weight loss may be related to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), tonsil cancer, depression and other diseases.
1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): The reflux of gastric contents into the throat can trigger the inflammatory reaction of the throat mucosa, resulting in the manifestation of uncomfortable throat. As it can be accompanied by gastric pain and esophageal irritation symptoms, it often has reduced digestive function, and reduced nutritional intake leads to gradual wasting.
2. Tonsillar cancer: the surface of tonsils is covered with squamous epithelium, and the lymphatic tissues inside can develop corresponding malignant tumors, such as squamous epithelial carcinoma. Common symptoms include foreign body sensation in pharynx, sore throat, lump in neck, and rapid enlargement of one side of tonsil which may lead to difficulty in swallowing and breathing. With the progress of disease, patients with malignant tumor have malignant physique, which is manifested as body wasting.
3. Depression: some patients are depressed, or suspect that their throat is suffering from cancer after mental trauma, especially when there is a little discomfort in the throat (such as dryness, burning sensation, etc.), they will be more anxious, and seek for medical treatment in order to find out the “tumor”. They may refuse to eat for fear that the tumor will metastasize after eating or drinking, leading to malnutrition and weight loss.
Throat discomfort and weight loss may also be caused by diabetes or thyroid disease, which requires active medical treatment and systematic examination to clarify the diagnosis and cause of the disease.