Table of Contents
- 1 Are esophageal spasms life threatening?
- 2 What foods trigger esophageal spasms?
- 3 Can anxiety cause esophageal spasms?
- 4 Should I go to the hospital for esophageal spasms?
- 5 What is the most common symptom of esophageal disease?
- 6 How can I stop an esophageal spasm?
- 7 What does it mean to have esophageal spasms?
Are esophageal spasms life threatening?
Esophageal spasms can be disruptive. They sometimes cause pain or trouble swallowing. But the condition isn’t considered a serious threat to your health. Esophageal spasms are not known to cause esophageal cancer.
What foods trigger esophageal spasms?
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.
How do you break an esophageal spasm?
Nitroglycerin given under the tongue (sublingual) may help a sudden episode of esophageal spasm. Long-acting nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers are also used for the problem. Long-term (chronic) cases are sometimes treated with low-dose antidepressants such as trazodone or nortriptyline to reduce symptoms.
Can a hiatal hernia cause esophageal spasms?
In some people with a hiatal hernia, it refluxes into the lower esophagus that sets off nervous reflexes that can cause a cough or even spasm of the small airways within the lungs people.
Can anxiety cause esophageal spasms?
Achalasia is a problem with the nervous system in which the muscles of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) don’t work properly. Anxiety or panic attacks can also cause similar symptoms.
Should I go to the hospital for esophageal spasms?
Esophageal Spasms Symptoms The main symptoms are difficulty swallowing and chest pain. The spasms can be severe enough to wake you from sleep and may feel like a heart attack. If you have sudden chest pain or other signs of a heart attack, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
How can I naturally relax my esophagus?
Let foods and drinks that are very hot or very cold sit for a bit before eating or drinking them. Suck a peppermint lozenge. Peppermint oil is a smooth muscle relaxant and might help ease esophageal spasms. Place the peppermint lozenge under your tongue.
How does esophageal spasm feel like?
Esophageal spasms are painful contractions within the muscular tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden, severe chest pain that lasts from a few minutes to hours. Some people may mistake it for heart pain (angina).
What is the most common symptom of esophageal disease?
Esophageal Cancer Symptoms
- Trouble Swallowing. The most common symptom of esophageal cancer is trouble swallowing, especially a feeling of food stuck in the throat.
- Chronic Chest Pain.
- Weight Loss Without Trying.
- Persistent Coughing or Hoarseness.
How can I stop an esophageal spasm?
Identifying and avoid trigger foods. Some people with esophageal spasms can identify the foods and drinks that trigger their symptoms.
What does an esophageal spasm feel like?
A twisted, or corkscrew-shaped, esophagus is often involved in powerful spasms. Regurgitation is not common with this type. The main ones are difficulty swallowing and chest pain. The spasms can be severe enough to wake you from sleep and may feel like a heart attack.
How to stop esophageal spasms naturally?
Try to avoid particularly hot or cold foods.
What does it mean to have esophageal spasms?
Esophageal spasm. Esophageal spasms are abnormal contractions of the muscles in the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. These spasms do not move food effectively to the stomach. The cause of esophageal spasm is unknown. Very hot or very cold foods may trigger spasms in some people.