| Those who suffer from acid reflux and are looking for | | | | that its symptoms closely resemble other disorders |
| some acid reflux relief may experience more than | | | | such as GERD. Nevertheless, should your doctor |
| complications other than bile reflux. Some acid reflux | | | | expect that you suffer from esophageal spasms; the |
| sufferers experience spasms in their esophagus. Your | | | | condition may be diagnosed through - |
| esophagus connects your throat to your stomach and | | | | - Barium esophagram - This is the most common test |
| is structured like a long tube. A healthy esophagus | | | | for people who suffer from trouble swallowing. The |
| moves food to the stomach through a series of | | | | Barium esophagram utilizes X-rays to examine the |
| synchronized muscle contractions. Esophageal spasms | | | | esophagus and is the best test for detecting |
| upset this natural process creating many unpleasant | | | | esophageal spasms. |
| symptoms. | | | | - Esophageal CT scan - This is a test that uses |
| What is an esophageal spasm? | | | | computerized tomography (CT) scans to create and |
| Esophageal spasms occur when the muscle | | | | capture cross-sectional sliced images of the inside of |
| contractions within the esophagus lack coordination | | | | the body. The test may reveal that the esophageal |
| and prevent food from properly moving through your | | | | muscles have abnormal thickness which could mean |
| esophagus to the stomach. Esophageal spasms | | | | esophageal spasms. |
| affect the muscles that are situated within the walls of | | | | - Esophageal manometry test - This test involves the |
| the lower esophagus. They can occur in the following | | | | insertion of a thin tube into the esophagus via the |
| two ways: | | | | mouth or nose. The purpose is to measure how |
| 1. Diffuse spasms - This is when food traveling to the | | | | effective the esophageal muscles are during the |
| stomach is slowed due to irregular or simultaneous | | | | swallowing process. |
| contraction of the esophageal muscles. | | | | Is there treatment for esophageal spasms? |
| 2. Nutcracker esophagus - This is when food | | | | Yes. The following are some suggested treatments: |
| progresses normally to the stomach, but the muscle | | | | - Manage underlying conditions - If you are prone to |
| contractions are abnormally strong and painful. | | | | heartburn or suffer from GERD, manage these |
| Researchers are not exactly sure what causes | | | | conditions to reduce your chance of spasms. |
| esophageal spasms, but one theory is that extremely | | | | - Lifestyle changes - Change your eating habits such |
| cold, hot or spicy food can trigger a spasm. Another | | | | as avoid eating certain foods including those that are |
| theory is that GERD or heartburn, which causes | | | | spicy or acidic, and avoid lying down directly after |
| irritation and inflammation in the esophagus, can trigger | | | | eating meals. Lifestyle change is also the best way to |
| a spasm. Whatever the real reason, one fact remains | | | | prevent esophageal spasms from occurring. |
| - People who are prone to acid reflux and have | | | | - Biofeedback - This is an alternative therapy that |
| GERD are more prone to esophageal spasms, and | | | | teaches you to use your mind to control your body. |
| the chances of developing this condition increases as | | | | Electrical sensors help you recognize the way your |
| they age. | | | | body responds to psychological stress so you can |
| The following are some symptoms of this condition | | | | control it. |
| that you should be aware of: | | | | - Medication - Muscle relaxants including nitrates or |
| - Chest pain that is usually intense and is often | | | | calcium channel blockers are often prescribed to |
| mistaken for heart pain. This is the most common | | | | reduce the severity of muscle contractions. Tricyclic |
| symptom. | | | | antidepressants may also be recommended to help |
| - Pain when swallowing | | | | relieve pain. |
| - Trouble swallowing | | | | - Surgery - This treatment is extremely rare but |
| - Feeling something is stuck in the throat | | | | sometimes is the only option in serious cases. Myotmy |
| - Regurgitating food | | | | may be performed to help weaken muscle |
| - Heartburn | | | | contractions, or an esophagectomy (the removal of |
| How are esophageal spasms diagnosed? | | | | the esophagus) may be needed. |
| This condition can be hard to diagnose due to the fact | | | | |