As most of you would already know, having a burning sensation and experiencing discomfort in and around the chest is one of the most common symptoms of acid reflux, also known as GERD or heartburn.
But, did you know that uneasiness in your chest is also a prominent sign of another ailment of the digestive system that is called Esophageal Spasms in medical terms?
Esophageal Spasms is a gastrointestinal issue that causes sharp pain in the chest and can also lead to other discomforting symptoms when left untreated for a long period of time.
In this blog, let us understand everything about Esophageal Spasms and how you can take the necessary precautions to not let this hamper your quality of life with growing age in the long run.
Read till the end of this blog to get complete details about the type, causes, symptoms, and best treatment options for Esophageal Spasms in Bangalore.
What are Esophageal Spasms?
Esophageal Spasms refer to an unexpected and uncoordinated painful contraction of the esophageal muscles. These are a form of motility disorder that makes it difficult for the food you consume to move down to the stomach through the esophagus and digestive tracts.
This is not a dangerous or life-threatening medical condition but the important point to note here is that Esophageal Spasms can lead to dysphasia. Occasional incidences of Esophageal spasms are nothing to worry about but if you get the symptoms frequently and it begins to interfere with your ability to eat or drink, it’s best to report it to the doctor so that they can offer timely treatment to avoid complications.
What are the Types of Esophageal Spasms?
Primarily, there are two main types of Esophageal Spasms based on how they manifest.
The first type is known as Nutcracker or Jackhammer Esophageal Spasms that occurs due to twisting of the esophagus.
The other type is called Distal Esophageal Spasm which is caused due to regurgitation of food.
What are the causes and signs of Esophageal Spasms?
Although the exact cause of Esophageal Spasms is not known, it has been found to commonly affect people who are over 60 years of age and complain of high blood pressure, GERD, depression, or anxiety.
Your lifestyle including the type of food you eat, your physical movement, and sleep cycles are also known to affect your tendency to develop Esophageal Spasms.
Other than chest discomfort, extreme pain accompanied by vomiting and difficulty in swallowing are also common symptoms of Esophageal Spasms.
These often feel like a sudden and severe chest pain that can last for anywhere between a few minutes to a few hours. Some people even mistake these symptoms for heart pain or angina.
Another common sign of Esophageal spasms is the constant feeling that there is a big object that’s stuck in your throat.
These symptoms are easily identifiable and must not be ignored.
What is the treatment for Esophageal Spasms?
If you have one or more symptoms of Esophageal spasms, visit a gastroenterologist as there are numerous treatment options available today.
Sahasra Hospitals is a trusted medical care institute for all disorders of the stomach and digestive system. It is headed by Dr. Srikanth Gadiyaram who has decades of medical experience and an array of happy and fully cured patients who are extremely satisfied by the medical treatment and care offered at Sahasra Hospitals.
You don’t need to suffer in pain or discomfort. Live a happy life that is blessed with good health, schedule a consultation visit with the best gastroenterologist at Sahasra Hospitals.
