Esophageal spasms

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Lifestyle and home remedies

By Mayo Clinic staff

To help you cope with occasional esophageal spasms, try to:

  • Identify your triggers. Make a list of things that cause your esophageal spasms, such as cold or hot foods and drinks, or red wine. Avoid these triggers.
  • Choose food that is warm or cool. Let foods and drinks that are very hot or very cold sit for a bit before eating or drinking them.
  • Find ways to control stress. Esophageal spasms may be more common or more severe when you're stressed. Some stress is inevitable, so find healthy ways to cope.
Treatments and drugs
References
  1. Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Management. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&about=true&uniqId=229935664-2192. Accessed Aug. 16, 2012.
  2. Grubel C, et al. Diffuse esophageal spasm. American Journal of Gastroenterology. 2008;103:450.
  3. Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2012. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-1604-7..C2009-0-42832-0--TOP&isbn=978-1-4377-1604-7&uniqId=327451096-2. Accessed Aug. 19, 2012.
  4. Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/164856770-3/902155171/1565/469.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..50052-6--cesec137_2746. Accessed Aug. 19, 2012.
  5. Herbella FA, et al. Surgical treatment of primary esophageal motility disorders. Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. 2008;12:604.
  6. Picco MP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 22, 2012.
DS00763 Oct. 19, 2012

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger