Esophageal spasms

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Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you experience esophageal spasms only occasionally, you may not need treatment. Your doctor may recommend avoiding food or situations that trigger your esophageal spasms.

If your esophageal spasms make it difficult to eat or drink, your doctor may recommend:

  • Managing any underlying conditions, such as heartburn, GERD, anxiety or depression. Treating these conditions may lessen the likelihood of esophageal spasm symptoms.
  • Medications to relax your swallowing muscles, which can reduce the severity of contractions.
  • Surgery is sometimes recommended to treat acid reflux that doesn't respond to medication, or to cut the muscle at the lower end of the esophagus, which can weaken esophageal contractions.
Lifestyle and home remedies Tests and diagnosis
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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