Esophageal spasms

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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of the esophagus Esophagus

Signs and symptoms of esophageal spasms can include:

  • Squeezing pain in your chest, often intense, which you might mistake for heart pain (angina)
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
  • The feeling that an object is stuck in your throat (globus)
  • The return of food and liquids back up your esophagus (regurgitation)

When to see a doctor
The squeezing chest pain that esophageal spasms can cause can also be caused by a heart attack or angina. If you experience squeezing chest pain, especially if it is a new symptom, seek medical care right away to make sure it's not a heart problem.

Causes Definition
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

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