Diffuse esophageal spasm (patient information): Difference between revisions
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{{Diffuse esophageal spasm (patient information)}} | |||
'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[ | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Nutcracker esophagus|here]]''' | ||
{{CMG}} | {{CMG}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Diffuse esophageal spasms are abnormal contractions of the muscles in the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). These spasms do not move food effectively to the stomach. | |||
==What are the symptoms of | ==What are the symptoms of Diffuse esophageal spasm?== | ||
* Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing | * Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing | ||
* Pain in the chest or upper abdomen | * Pain in the chest or upper abdomen | ||
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It can be hard to tell a spasm from angina pectoris, a symptom of heart disease. The pain may spread to the neck, jaw, arms, or back | It can be hard to tell a spasm from angina pectoris, a symptom of heart disease. The pain may spread to the neck, jaw, arms, or back | ||
==What causes | ==What causes Diffuse esophageal spasm?== | ||
The cause of esophageal spasm is unknown. Very hot or very cold foods may trigger an episode in some people. | The cause of diffuse esophageal spasm is unknown. Very hot or very cold foods may trigger an episode in some people. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) | *[[Esophagogastroduodenoscopy|Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)]] | ||
Esophageal manometry | *[[Esophageal motility study|Esophageal manometry]] | ||
Esophagogram (barium swallow x-ray) | *[[Esophagogram|Esophagogram (barium swallow x-ray)]] | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of esophageal spasm that don't go away. | Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of diffuse esophageal spasm that don't go away. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
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Rarely, severe cases may need dilation (widening) of the esophagus or surgery to control symptoms. However, it is not clear whether these procedures will help. | Rarely, severe cases may need dilation (widening) of the esophagus or surgery to control symptoms. However, it is not clear whether these procedures will help. | ||
==Where to find medical care for | ==Where to find medical care for Diffuse esophageal spasm?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+ | [http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Diffuse esophageal spasm}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wl Directions to Hospitals Treating Diffuse esophageal spasm] | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
A diffuse esophageal spasm may come and go (intermittent) or last for a long time (chronic). Medicine can help relieve symptoms. | |||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
The condition may not respond to treatment. | The condition may not respond to treatment. | ||
==Prevention of | ==Prevention of Diffuse esophageal spasm== | ||
Avoid very hot or very cold foods if you get esophageal spasms. | Avoid very hot or very cold foods if you get diffuse esophageal spasms. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000289.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000289.htm | ||
[[Category:Disease]] | |||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Cardiology]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Emergency medicine]] | ||
{{WH}} | {{WH}} | ||
{{WS}} | {{WS}} | ||
Latest revision as of 16:54, 7 March 2013
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Diffuse esophageal spasm |
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Diffuse esophageal spasm On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Diffuse esophageal spasm |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Diffuse esophageal spasms are abnormal contractions of the muscles in the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). These spasms do not move food effectively to the stomach.
What are the symptoms of Diffuse esophageal spasm?
- Difficulty swallowing or pain with swallowing
- Pain in the chest or upper abdomen
It can be hard to tell a spasm from angina pectoris, a symptom of heart disease. The pain may spread to the neck, jaw, arms, or back
What causes Diffuse esophageal spasm?
The cause of diffuse esophageal spasm is unknown. Very hot or very cold foods may trigger an episode in some people.
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of diffuse esophageal spasm that don't go away.
Treatment options
Nitroglycerin given under the tongue (sublingual) may be effective in an acute episode of esophageal spasm. Long-acting nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers are also used to treat esophageal spasms.
Long-term (chronic) cases are sometimes treated with low-dose antidepressants such as trazodone or nortriptyline to reduce symptoms.
Rarely, severe cases may need dilation (widening) of the esophagus or surgery to control symptoms. However, it is not clear whether these procedures will help.
Where to find medical care for Diffuse esophageal spasm?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Diffuse esophageal spasm
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
A diffuse esophageal spasm may come and go (intermittent) or last for a long time (chronic). Medicine can help relieve symptoms.
Possible complications
The condition may not respond to treatment.
Prevention of Diffuse esophageal spasm
Avoid very hot or very cold foods if you get diffuse esophageal spasms.