Chest pain when swallowing can be caused by various factors such as esophagus disorders, inflammation of nerves and muscles, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Treatment options vary depending on the cause, but any abnormal symptoms should prompt a visit to a doctor.
Chest pain can have many causes, but it should never be taken lightly. Although some types of chest pain are pervasive, others can occur in conjunction with a specific task, such as swallowing. Different muscles and other parts of the throat and chest work together to produce the swallowing effect, and disruption of any of these processes can lead to pain. Difficulties around the esophagus, in particular, can ease chest pain when swallowing.
The esophagus is the gateway from the throat to the stomach. As with any part of the body, this long tube is prone to any kind of infection, strain or injury. Sometimes the esophagus can simply contract, causing chest pain near the abdominal area. While experts haven’t determined what exactly causes these spasms, in many cases, foods or beverages that are extremely hot or cold in nature appear to be the culprits. Other similar disorders caused by abnormally moving esophageal muscles include achalasia and nutcracker esophagus.
Other areas of the chest, especially nerves and muscles, can become inflamed, causing chest pain when swallowing. For example, in a condition called costochondritis, the joints where the ribs attach to the breastbone become tender. Any movement in this area, including movement induced by swallowing, will likely cause sternum pain. Pinched nerves can cause similar problems. In addition to swallowing, other movements such as breathing can cause pain.
Eating-related chest pain when swallowing is often an indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition occurs when acid from the stomach makes its way into the esophagus. Intake of food or drink will aggravate this process due to increased acid production. The pain can be mistaken for heartburn and, if left untreated, will recur. This type of pain is often associated with a burning pain in the center of the chest, around the breastbone. Isolated episodes of heartburn can cause similar ailments.
Chronic GERD can create esophagitis or inflammation of the esophagus. Other causes of this particular ailment range from viral infection to irritation caused by medical tubes being inserted down the throat. If heartburn medications don’t relieve chest pain, an esophageal condition may be the cause. While there are exceptions to any condition, chest pain related solely to swallowing is typically not indicative of a heart problem.
Chest pain when swallowing can also be experienced following the onset of a hiatal hernia. Unlike GERD or esophagitis, this condition results from a malfunction of the stomach rather than the esophagus. The pain in this case occurs when the stomach pushes into the chest past the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the throat from the lower digestive system. Eating and swallowing will likely make the pain of a hiatus hernia worse.
Treatments vary depending on the specific cause of the chest pain. Medication or surgery may be needed in some cases, while other conditions may ease with time or a simple diet change. However, any appearance of blood, difficulty breathing, or other abnormal symptoms concurrent with chest pain should prompt an immediate visit to a doctor.
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