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Do muscle relaxers help esophageal spasms?

Do muscle relaxers help esophageal spasms?

Medicine: Pain medicine: This medicine helps take away or decrease pain caused by the spasms. Smooth muscle relaxants: This medicine may help your muscles and esophagus relax so it is easier for you to swallow. It may also decrease your pain and trouble swallowing.

Are esophageal spasms life threatening?

Esophageal spasms can be disruptive. They sometimes cause pain or trouble swallowing. But the condition isn’t considered a serious threat to your health. Esophageal spasms are not known to cause esophageal cancer.

How do you break an esophageal spasm?

Nitroglycerin given under the tongue (sublingual) may help a sudden episode of esophageal spasm. Long-acting nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers are also used for the problem. Long-term (chronic) cases are sometimes treated with low-dose antidepressants such as trazodone or nortriptyline to reduce symptoms.

Why do I keep having esophageal spasms?

The cause of esophageal spasm is unknown. Many doctors believe it results from a disruption of the nerve activity that coordinates the swallowing action of the esophagus. In some people, very hot or very cold foods may trigger an episode.

What does a esophageal spasm feel like?

Esophageal spasms are painful contractions within the muscular tube connecting your mouth and stomach (esophagus). Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden, severe chest pain that lasts from a few minutes to hours. Some people may mistake it for heart pain (angina).

Is esophageal spasm curable?

The only permanent cure for esophageal spasms is a surgical procedure called myotomy. The surgeon cuts the thick muscle in the lower part of the esophagus. This is only recommended in severe cases when medications and injections don’t work.

What does esophageal spasm feel like?

Can anxiety cause esophageal spasms?

In some cases, underlying conditions such as depression, anxiety, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can cause esophageal spasms. A combination of medications, therapy, and stress-management techniques can help a person manage underlying depression or anxiety.

Is Coke good for acid reflux?

Some foods can weaken the lower esophageal sphincter and make reflux worse. The most common culprits are alcohol, soda, and caffeine. It is, therefore, best for a person with reflux to avoid these drinks as much as possible.

What does an esophageal spasm feel like?

When do you need treatment for esophageal spasms?

Esophageal spasms typically occur only occasionally and might not need treatment. But sometimes the spasms are frequent and can prevent food and liquids from traveling through the esophagus. If esophageal spasms interfere with your ability to eat or drink, treatments are available.

What do spasms in the esophagus feel like?

Esophageal spasms can feel like sudden, severe chest pain that lasts from a few minutes to hours. Esophageal spasms typically occur only occasionally and might not need treatment. But sometimes the spasms are frequent and can prevent food and liquids from traveling through the esophagus.

What kind of spasm is the nutcracker esophagus?

Esophageal spasms are sometimes called nutcracker esophagus, though this is actually only one of the types of spasm.

What foods to eat if you have esophageal spasms?

There are also foods that will either safe to eat, or will actually provide a benefit to you. There are foods and beverages that are generally helpful or harmful, including peppermint, which can help relieve symptoms, and caffeine, which is generally a good idea to avoid.