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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Esophageal spasms are painful muscle contractions that affect your esophagus. Your esophagus is a long hollow tube that runs from your throat to your stomach.
Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden, severe chest pain that lets up after a few minutes. Esophageal spasms usually occur infrequently.
But for some people, esophageal spasms are frequent and severe. The muscle contractions may prevent food and liquids from traveling properly through your esophagus. Esophageal spasms can lead to chronic swallowing problems and pain.
For occasional esophageal spasms, treatment may not be necessary. But if esophageal spasms interfere with your ability to eat or drink, treatments are available.
- 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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