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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffIt's not clear what causes esophageal spasms.
A healthy esophagus moves food into your stomach through a series of coordinated muscular contractions, called peristalsis. Esophageal spasms disrupt this process by making it difficult for the muscles in the walls of your lower esophagus to coordinate in order to move food to your stomach.
Types of esophageal spasms
Esophageal spasms may occur in two forms:
- Diffuse esophageal spasms. People with diffuse esophageal spasms experience intermittent contractions in the esophageal muscles that are often accompanied by regurgitation of food or liquids.
- Nutcracker esophagus. People with nutcracker esophagus experience painfully strong contractions in the esophageal muscles. Of the two types of esophageal spasms, nutcracker esophagus is less likely to cause regurgitation of food and liquids.
- Orlando RC. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/201609212-3/0/1492/0.html. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Maish M. Esophagus. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/207919050-3/0/1565/0.html. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Kahrilas PJ, et al. Esophageal neuromuscular function and motility disorders. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed July 1, 2010.
- Picco MP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. July 7, 2010.
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