Diffuse esophageal spasm causes uncoordinated contractions of the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow food and drink. The cause is unknown, but nerve damage and GERD may contribute. Symptoms include chest pain and a burning sensation. Diagnosis involves a manometry test and further tests such as a CT scan or barium swallow. Treatment includes nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers, as well as avoiding hot or cold foods.
A diffuse esophageal spasm is an uncoordinated contraction of the esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that carries food and drink to the stomach. It is lined with muscles that help move food items down the tube and into the stomach for digestion. When a person has widespread esophageal spasm, food and drink will not go down normally and they will often feel stuck in the throat. The spasm can cause a lot of pain, particularly in the chest.
The direct cause of diffuse esophageal spasms has not been clearly identified. Nerve damage in the esophagus can cause spasms. It can also be caused by certain conditions related to the esophagus such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Certain behaviors can contribute to widespread esophageal spasm. This may include eating very hot or cold foods and drinking liquids.
Difficulty swallowing may be the most prominent symptom of an esophageal spasm. After consuming something, there may be an immediate feeling that whatever has just been consumed is stuck in the throat. Many people may also have chest pain that can radiate to the back and abdomen. Other symptoms of widespread esophageal spasm can include a burning sensation in the chest and the need to regurgitate. Often, these symptoms can mimic heartburn symptoms.
A manometry of diffuse esophageal spasm may be done to diagnose this condition. During this diagnostic test, a thin tube is passed through the nose and sometimes the mouth, down the esophagus, and into the stomach. The test is used to examine esophageal pressure by analyzing the coordination of muscle contractions in the organ. Most people will be lightly sedated for this test and will be asked to fast from foods for several hours before the test. The most common complaint of having this type of test is a sore throat afterwards.
Sometimes, further tests may be done on a person suspected of having this esophageal disorder. A computed tomography (CT) scan can often be ordered. The test can present a detailed view of the inside of the esophagus and tell if there are any abnormalities that could be causing the spasms. You can also do a barium swallow. For this test, an individual will swallow some barium, which will be tracked as it passes into the esophagus with X-ray images.
Nitroglycerin is often prescribed as a type of treatment for diffuse esophageal spasm. Commonly, nitroglycerin is given to treat chest pain, which is a common symptom of this type of spasm. Some doctors may also prescribe calcium channel blockers for patients. These can work to relax the muscles of the esophagus. Many people may be able to limit the amount of esophageal spasms by eliminating behaviors that can cause an attack, which generally means avoiding really hot or cold foods.
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