X-rays are often a part of diagnosing spasms. You will likely be put through a barium swallow, where a specifically prepared liquid is used to make the actions of your esophagus more visible on an X-ray.
If external imaging does not give your doctor all the information needed for a diagnosis, more direct examination of your esophagus with images from an endoscope is a likely next step.
Other tests can be performed to diagnose how the muscles in your esophagus function. Esophageal manometry is one such test that gauges the function of your lower esophageal sphincter while you swallow water. Further testing through ph monitoring can help identify the presence and severity of acid reflux that may be contributing to your spasms.
Ultimately, spasms in the esophageal muscles are a problem of the nervous system. Treatment options for correcting or limiting the inappropriate nerve signals your esophagus is acting on will depend on the cause and severity of your spasms.
This could take the form of natural smooth muscle relaxants like peppermint oil, taking calcium channel blockers or proton pump inhibitors, or even having botulinum toxin botox injected into your esophageal wall. In some cases endoscopic surgery can be used to help treat diffuse esophageal spasms.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy is a procedure where an endoscope, a small flexible tube with a camera and other instruments, is threaded down your esophagus. Your doctor can then observe the action of the muscles of the esophagus, and possibly make small incisions into the muscle wall.
If you have experienced an esophageal spasm, it is more likely they will happen to you again. While you may have been treated in an emergency room or by your primary care doctor the first time, especially if your symptoms were mistaken for a heart attack, once the initial diagnosis has been made, properly treating and managing your spasms going forward falls under the heading of gastroenterology.
At Cary Gastroenterology Associates, our specifically trained physicians are dedicated to helping solve any and all problems of the digestive tract. Even though a spasm in your esophagus is not life threatening like the heart attack it is often mistaken for, it can be very disruptive and certainly uncomfortable. The good news is, though we still have a lot to learn about what causes this condition, there are treatments available to help ease or eliminate your discomfort.
People should record the following information in their food diary:. A review from suggests that peppermint oil may be effective for treating distal esophageal spasm in some people. Peppermint oil can help relax the muscles, including those in the esophagus.
Mixing a few drops of food-grade peppermint extract into a glass of water and drinking it before a meal may help prevent spasms. It is important to use peppermint extract rather than peppermint essential oil, as the latter can be toxic. Licorice and menthol products may also have a relaxing effect on the muscles in the esophagus.
In some cases, underlying conditions such as depression , anxiety , or gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD can cause esophageal spasms. A combination of medications, therapy, and stress-management techniques can help a person manage underlying depression or anxiety. A doctor may also prescribe antidepressants for pain caused by esophageal spasms. Doctors can prescribe proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers for people with GERD, which may also help reduce esophageal spasms.
If traditional treatments do not work, a person may be able to try other therapies that help relax the esophageal muscles. These include Botox injections and calcium channel blockers. Surgery for esophageal spasms may be used a last resort if other remedies have not worked. There are two procedures available:. Any time someone experiences intense pain or a squeezing sensation in the chest, they should seek immediate medical care. We treat more people with esophageal conditions than any center in the region.
One sign that you may be experiencing an esophageal spasm is It may feel like food is stuck in your throat. Other symptoms include:. Consuming very hot or very cold foods or drinks, or foods that are not chewed enough before swallowing may trigger a spasm. Sometimes, symptoms that may suggest esophageal spasm are the result of another condition such as gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD or achalasia.
Diagnosing esophageal spasms begins with a patient history. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests or procedures:. At Loma Linda University Health, we offer the most advanced technologies found only in major metropolitan academic medical centers to diagnose esophageal spasms, as well as all other types of esophageal condition. Treatment for esophageal spasms will vary depending on the frequency and severity of the spasms.
Treatment recommendations may include:. These are the first steps in reducing or eliminating occasional esophageal spasms. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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What causes esophageal spasm? What are the symptoms? How is esophageal spasm diagnosed? How is it treated?
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