Abnormal muscle spasms in the esophagus are called esophageal spasms.
The esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth and stomach.
On either end of the esophagus are sphincter muscles that flex and contract as part of the digestive process.
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Within the tube are valves that work to move food from the mouth to the stomach.
Esophageal spasms can be painful and prevent food from passing from mouth to stomach.
Some people may experience no symptoms, while others experience mild symptoms.
Mild symptoms can come and go for minutes or over an hour.
Some symptoms are severe and may require immediate medical attention from a healthcare provider.
Call your healthcare provider or seek immediate medical support if you have sudden, severe chest pain.
Nutcracker Esophagus:This condition affects how the esophagus works.
The pain is worse when swallowing, and it can feel like squeezing in your chest.
It doesn’t typically cause regurgitation.
Suspected causes of esophageal spasms include:
What Is GERD?
GERD is defined as chronic acid reflux due to lower esophageal muscle weakness.
Muscle weakness can be a structural difference or triggered by repeat irritation.
GERD can cause difficulty swallowing and passing food from the mouth to the stomach.
It is a likely cause of esophageal spasms.
Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms by relaxing the esophageal muscles.
If you do not have any symptoms of esophageal spasms, treatment may not be necessary.
Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications include reducing triggers for esophageal spasms.
Medications
Your healthcare provider may recommend medication that relaxes the muscles used for swallowing.
Calcium channel blockers may also be prescribed.
Surgery for esophageal spasm is called myotomy.
It requires an incision in the lower esophagus muscle, which permanently stops it from being able to spasm.
The researchers note that one study limitation is it reports on frequency rather than intensity of symptoms.
Summary
Esophageal spasms are abnormal spasms that occur in the tube connecting the mouth and stomach.
Symptoms can come and go and range in severity.
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