Esophageal spasms

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Risk factors

Preparing for your appointment
Tests and diagnosis
Treatments and drugs
Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

You're really thirsty, so you take a huge gulp of a cold, carbonated beverage. Suddenly, you experience a severe pain in your midchest that lets up after a couple of seconds. This is one form of esophageal spasm. In some people, esophageal spasms can lead to chronic swallowing problems and pain.

Esophageal spasms are an uncoordinated series of muscle contractions that prevent food from traveling properly from your esophagus to your stomach. These spasms can be very painful. Chest pain is a common symptom of esophageal spasm.

Treatment of esophageal spasms in the short term may involve using medications to quickly relax the esophageal muscles. Long-term treatment may involve managing any contributing health condition, taking additional medications and altering your eating habits.

Symptoms