As people age, they may face difficulties in eating and digesting food. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as dental problems, swallowing issues, or digestive disorders. Pureed food is a common solution for elderly individuals who have difficulty chewing or swallowing solid food. Pureed food is a smooth consistency that can be easily swallowed and digested.

Pureeing food may seem like a simple task, but it requires certain techniques to ensure the food is safe and nutritious. It is important to choose the right foods and prepare them properly to ensure that they are easy to swallow, digest, and provide adequate nutrition. In addition, it is important to consider the individual’s taste preferences and dietary restrictions when preparing pureed food.

In this article, we will explore the best methods for pureeing food for elderly individuals. We will cover the types of foods that are best suited for pureeing, the equipment needed for pureeing, and the proper techniques for preparing and serving pureed food. By following these guidelines, caregivers can ensure that their loved ones receive safe, nutritious, and enjoyable meals.

Understanding Pureed Food for Elderly

Pureed food is a type of food that has been blended to a smooth consistency. It is often recommended for older adults who have difficulty chewing or swallowing solid foods. A pureed diet can help prevent choking, aspiration, and other complications that can arise from eating solid foods.

Elderly people may require a pureed food diet due to a variety of reasons, including dental problems, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or other conditions that affect their ability to chew and swallow. A puréed diet can help ensure that they are still receiving the necessary nutrients they need to maintain their health.

When preparing puréed meals, it is important to ensure that the food is still nutritious and appetizing. This can be achieved by using fresh ingredients, including fruits and vegetables, and adding flavor through herbs and spices. Pureed food can also be presented in an appealing manner, such as using molds or garnishes.

It is important to note that a puréed food diet may not be suitable for everyone. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian before making any dietary changes. They can provide guidance on the appropriate foods to include in a puréed diet, as well as any supplements that may be necessary to ensure that the individual is receiving the necessary nutrients.

In summary, a puréed food diet can be an effective way to ensure that elderly people are receiving the necessary nutrients they need while also reducing the risk of complications associated with eating solid foods. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes to ensure that the individual’s nutritional needs are being met.

The Importance of Right Texture

When it comes to pureeing food for the elderly, achieving the right texture is crucial. Texture-modified diets are often recommended for seniors who have difficulty swallowing or chewing solid foods. However, simply blending or mashing food does not always result in the right consistency.

A pudding-like consistency is often recommended for pureed foods. This means that the food should be smooth and cohesive, without any lumps or chunks. The right consistency can make a big difference in how well the food is tolerated and how much the person is able to eat.

Smooth texture is also important for those who have digestive issues. Food that is too chunky or has a rough texture can be difficult to digest and may cause discomfort or even pain. Pureeing food can help to break down the fibers and make it easier to digest.

It’s important to note that the texture of solid food can also be modified to make it easier to chew and swallow. Cutting food into smaller pieces or cooking it until it is soft can help to achieve the right texture.

In summary, achieving the right texture is essential when pureeing food for the elderly. A smooth, pudding-like consistency can make the food easier to swallow and digest, while still providing the necessary nutrients.

Why Puree Food for Elderly

As people age, their ability to chew and swallow food properly can diminish due to various reasons such as medical conditions, Parkinson’s disease, missing teeth, or dysphagia diet. This can lead to a higher risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. In such cases, pureed food can be a viable solution to ensure that elderly individuals receive proper nutrition without risking their health.

Pureed food is essentially a smooth and soft consistency that is easy to swallow and digest. It can be made by blending or mashing cooked food until it becomes a thick, creamy texture. This makes it easier for elderly individuals to consume food without the need for excessive chewing or swallowing.

For those who have difficulty swallowing, pureed food can be a lifesaver. It allows them to continue to eat a variety of foods while reducing the risk of choking or aspiration. Additionally, pureed food can be customized to fit specific dietary needs, such as a dysphagia diet, which requires certain textures and consistencies to ensure safe swallowing.

In conclusion, pureed food is an excellent option for elderly individuals who have difficulty chewing or swallowing. It provides proper nutrition while reducing the risk of choking and aspiration pneumonia. By incorporating pureed food into an elderly individual’s diet, caregivers can ensure that they receive the nutrients they need to maintain their health and well-being.

Choosing the Right Equipment

When it comes to pureeing food for the elderly, choosing the right equipment is crucial. There are several options available, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Food Processor

A food processor is a popular choice for pureeing food. It is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for a variety of tasks, including chopping, slicing, and pureeing. Food processors come in a range of sizes and capacities, so it is important to choose one that is appropriate for the amount of food you need to puree.

One of the main advantages of a food processor is that it can handle large quantities of food at once, making it ideal for meal prep. However, it may not be the best choice for those who have difficulty with hand-eye coordination, as it requires some manual dexterity to operate.

Hand Blender

A hand blender, also known as an immersion blender, is a handheld device that is used to blend and puree food. It is a great option for those who have limited space in their kitchen, as it is compact and easy to store.

One of the main advantages of a hand blender is that it is easy to use. Simply place the blender into the food and blend until it reaches the desired consistency. However, it may not be the best choice for those who need to puree large quantities of food, as it can be time-consuming to puree food in small batches.

Choosing the Right Equipment

When choosing the right equipment for pureeing food for the elderly, it is important to consider factors such as the amount of food that needs to be pureed, the level of manual dexterity of the user, and the available space in the kitchen. Ultimately, the choice of equipment will depend on individual needs and preferences.

Selecting Suitable Foods

When it comes to pureeing food for the elderly, it is important to select foods that are suitable for pureeing. Soft foods such as cooked vegetables, fruits, and canned fruits are good options. Baby food can also be a good choice as it is already pureed and easy to digest.

Green beans and sweet potatoes are great options for pureeing. These vegetables are soft and easy to puree, and they are also nutrient-dense. Root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips can also be good choices, as they are soft and easy to puree.

When selecting regular foods to puree, it is important to choose foods that are easy to digest and do not have tough or fibrous parts. Pureed meats can be a good source of protein, but it is important to choose lean cuts of meat and remove any fat or gristle before pureeing.

It is also important to consider the different food groups when selecting foods to puree. A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins is important for overall health. Bread products can also be pureed, but it is important to choose soft breads that are not too dense.

In summary, when selecting foods to puree for the elderly, it is important to choose soft, easy-to-digest foods from a variety of food groups. This will help ensure that the pureed food is both nutritious and easy to swallow.

Preparing Pureed Meals

Preparing pureed meals for the elderly can be a simple and straightforward process with the right tools and techniques. Pureed meals are an excellent option for seniors who have difficulty chewing or swallowing larger pieces of food. Here are some tips for preparing pureed meals:

• Use a food processor or blender to puree the food. Make sure to add enough liquid to achieve a smooth consistency.
• Consider using food molds to create visually appealing pureed meals. These molds can be used to create different shapes and sizes of pureed foods.
• Cut food into smaller pieces before pureeing to ensure that it blends evenly. This is especially important when pureeing larger pieces of food.
• When preparing pureed meals in large batches, consider freezing them in individual portions for easy reheating later on.
• Experiment with different flavors and textures to create a variety of pureed meals. Seniors can also make their own pureed foods with their favorite ingredients.

Some of the best pureed foods for seniors include:

• Mashed potatoes
• Cooked vegetables, such as carrots, peas, and green beans
• Soft fruits, such as bananas, peaches, and avocados
• Cooked meats, such as chicken, beef, and fish

Overall, preparing pureed meals for the elderly can be a simple and rewarding process. By following these tips and experimenting with different flavors and textures, caregivers can provide seniors with nutritious and delicious meals that are easy to eat and enjoy.

Adding Liquids to Puree

When pureeing food for the elderly, it’s important to consider adding liquids to make the puree smoother and easier to swallow. Adding the right amount of liquid can also enhance the flavor of the puree. Here are some tips for adding liquids to puree:

Fruit Juice

Fruit juice is a great option for adding flavor and nutrition to puree. It’s important to choose a juice that is low in sugar and doesn’t contain any pulp or seeds. Some good options include apple juice, pear juice, and white grape juice. When adding fruit juice to puree, start with a small amount and gradually increase until the desired consistency is reached.

Chicken Broth

Chicken broth is a good option for adding flavor and protein to puree. It’s important to choose a low-sodium broth to avoid adding too much salt to the puree. When adding chicken broth to puree, start with a small amount and gradually increase until the desired consistency is reached.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is a healthy fat that can be added to puree to make it smoother and easier to swallow. It’s important to use a high-quality olive oil that is low in saturated fat. When adding olive oil to puree, start with a small amount and gradually increase until the desired consistency is reached.

Tomato Sauce

Tomato sauce is a good option for adding flavor and nutrition to puree. It’s important to choose a low-sodium sauce to avoid adding too much salt to the puree. When adding tomato sauce to puree, start with a small amount and gradually increase until the desired consistency is reached.

Water

Water is a simple option for adding liquid to puree. It’s important to use clean, filtered water to avoid any contaminants. When adding water to puree, start with a small amount and gradually increase until the desired consistency is reached.

Tomato Juice

Tomato juice is a good option for adding flavor and nutrition to puree. It’s important to choose a low-sodium juice to avoid adding too much salt to the puree. When adding tomato juice to puree, start with a small amount and gradually increase until the desired consistency is reached.

Achieving Nutritional Balance

When it comes to pureeing food for the elderly, achieving nutritional balance is key. The pureed food needs to provide the necessary nutrients to support their health and wellbeing. This section will cover some tips on how to achieve nutritional balance when pureeing food for the elderly.

One of the most important things to consider is the nutritional needs of the elderly person. As people age, their nutritional requirements change, and they may require more of certain nutrients. For example, they may need more protein to maintain muscle mass, or more calcium to maintain bone health. When pureeing food, it’s important to ensure that the food contains a good balance of nutrients to meet these needs.

Another consideration is weight loss. Some elderly people may be at risk of losing weight, so it’s important to provide nutrient-dense foods that can help them maintain a healthy weight. Pureed foods that are high in protein and healthy fats can help with this.

In addition to nutritional value, it’s important to provide a balanced diet. This means including a variety of different foods from all the food groups. Pureed fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can all be included in a pureed diet to provide a balanced mix of nutrients.

Finally, good nutrition is essential for overall health and wellbeing. Pureed foods can be a great way to provide the necessary nutrients to support good health. By ensuring that the pureed foods are nutrient-dense, balanced, and varied, it is possible to achieve good nutrition for the elderly.

Enhancing Flavor and Appeal

When pureeing food for the elderly, it is important to consider not only the nutritional value of the food but also the flavor and visual appeal. Adding a little extra flavor can make all the difference in making a puree dish more enjoyable.

One good choice is to add a splash of lime juice to pureed fruits or vegetables. Lime juice can add a bright, tangy flavor that can help balance out the sweetness of some fruits or add a fresh kick to vegetables. It is also a great option for adding a little extra Vitamin C to the puree.

Another great way to enhance the flavor of pureed food is to use herbs and spices. Adding a pinch of dried herbs or a sprinkle of spice can add depth and complexity to the dish. For example, a pinch of cinnamon can add warmth and sweetness to pureed sweet potatoes, while a sprinkle of cumin can add earthiness and warmth to pureed carrots.

Visual appeal is also important when it comes to pureed food. Making a puree look appetizing can make it more appealing to an elderly person. One way to do this is to use colorful fruits and vegetables. For example, using bright orange carrots or deep green spinach can make a puree look more appetizing than a plain white potato puree.

In summary, adding a little extra flavor and visual appeal can make a big difference when pureeing food for the elderly. Using herbs and spices, colorful fruits and vegetables, and a splash of lime juice are all good foods to consider for enhancing the delicious puree food.

Adapting to Modified Diets

When an elderly person has difficulty chewing or swallowing food, it may be necessary to modify their diet. There are several types of modified diets, including modified puree, mechanical soft diets, mechanical soft food diet, and liquid diet. Each of these diets has its own set of guidelines and restrictions.

Modified puree diets are often recommended for those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing food. This diet involves pureeing all food to a smooth consistency, which makes it easier to swallow. Foods that are typically pureed include fruits, vegetables, meats, and grains. It is important to note that some foods, such as nuts and seeds, cannot be pureed and should be avoided.

Mechanical soft diets are similar to modified puree diets but allow for some texture in the food. Foods on this diet are mashed or ground to a soft, moist consistency that is easy to chew and swallow. Foods that are typically included on a mechanical soft diet include cooked fruits and vegetables, ground meats, and soft bread.

Mechanical soft food diets are often recommended for individuals who have difficulty chewing or swallowing due to dental problems. This diet includes foods that are soft and easy to chew, such as cooked grains, soft fruits and vegetables, and ground meats.

Liquid diets are often recommended for those who have difficulty swallowing or are recovering from surgery or illness. This diet includes foods that are in liquid form, such as soups, broths, and protein shakes.

It is important to note that modifying a person’s diet can be challenging and may require some trial and error. It is important to work with a healthcare professional to ensure that the individual is receiving proper nutrition and that their dietary needs are being met.

Consulting Healthcare Professionals

When it comes to pureeing food for elderly individuals, it is essential to consult with healthcare professionals. These professionals can provide valuable guidance on the specific needs of the individual and ensure that the pureed food is safe and nutritious.

A healthcare provider, such as a physician or registered dietitian, can offer advice on the appropriate consistency and types of food to puree. They can also provide recommendations on supplements or vitamins that may be necessary to ensure that the individual is receiving proper nutrition.

A speech-language pathologist or speech therapist can also be consulted to evaluate the individual’s swallowing function. They can recommend modifications to the pureed food, such as adding thickeners or adjusting the consistency, to ensure that the individual can swallow safely and effectively.

It is important to note that healthcare professionals may have different recommendations based on the individual’s specific needs and medical conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to consult with multiple professionals to ensure that the pureed food is tailored to the individual’s needs.

In summary, consulting with healthcare professionals is an essential step in pureeing food for elderly individuals. These professionals can provide guidance on the appropriate consistency, types of food, and modifications necessary to ensure that the pureed food is safe and nutritious.

Special Considerations

When pureeing food for the elderly, there are some special considerations that need to be taken into account. This age group may have difficulty swallowing, chewing, or digesting certain foods, and may require a different approach when it comes to meal preparation.

One important consideration is the use of fresh ingredients. Grocery stores and online meal delivery services like Mom’s Meals can provide high-quality ingredients that are free from preservatives and additives. Family members can also prepare meals using fresh ingredients, which can improve the taste and nutritional value of the food.

Another consideration is the use of dairy products and salad dressings. Some elderly individuals may have lactose intolerance or difficulty digesting certain types of fats. It may be necessary to use alternative ingredients or smaller amounts of these products to prevent digestive issues.

When pureeing food, it is important to use small chunks and thin liquids to make it easier to swallow. Peanut butter and tomato slices can also be pureed to add flavor and texture to the food. Different amounts of liquid may need to be used depending on the type of food being pureed.

Overall, it is important to take a different approach when pureeing food for the elderly population. By considering these special considerations, it is possible to create meals that are nutritious, easy to swallow, and enjoyable to eat.

Pureed Food Recipes

Pureed food is a great option for elderly people who have difficulty chewing or swallowing. It can be challenging to come up with new and exciting pureed food recipes that are both nutritious and easy to prepare. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Vegetable Puree

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of mixed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, etc.)
• 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Steam the vegetables until they are soft.
2. Add the vegetables and broth to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Fruit Puree

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of mixed fruit (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.)
• 1 cup of vanilla yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Instructions:

1. Cut the fruit into small pieces.
2. Add the fruit, yogurt, and honey to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

Chicken and Vegetable Puree

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of cooked chicken
• 1 cup of mixed vegetables (carrots, green beans, peas, etc.)
• 1 cup of chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Steam the vegetables until they are soft.
2. Add the chicken, vegetables, and broth to a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.

These pureed food recipes are easy to prepare and are a great way to add variety to an elderly person’s diet. They are also packed with nutrients and are perfect for those who have difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, pureeing food can be a great way to provide elderly individuals with the nutrition they need while also accommodating any chewing or swallowing difficulties they may have. By following the steps outlined in this article, caregivers can ensure that their loved ones are receiving the appropriate consistency and texture of food.

Esophagus or the food pipe or the gullet is an organ of digestive system found in vertebrates. It is a pipe like structure that connects mouth to the stomach. It a passage that allows the chewed food to reach the stomach for proper digestion.

What is Jackhammer Esophagus?

Esophageal spasm is mainly of two types diffuse esophageal spasm or occasional contraction and hypertensive peristalsis or nutcracker esophagus.

Jackhammer esophagus is also known as hypercontractile peristalsis. It is a motility disorder of esophagus characterized by esophageal spasm. The disease is named so because the esophageal spasm is very strong and long lasting.

The diffuse esophageal spasm may be accompanied by expulsion of food or liquids while the painful nutcracker esophagus may not cause food or liquid expulsion.

Esophageal spasm is a rare condition that occurs in old aged people of 60 to 80 years of age. It is also associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The annual incidence of esophagus spasm is about 1 in 100,000 population.

Jackhammer esophagus is a new and rare disease of esophagus. Very little is known about the disease. It is defined in terms of high resolution manometry (HRM).

The Chicago Classification of esophageal motility come with an appropriate definition of jackhammer esophagus.

It defines jackhammer esophagus manometrically by distal contractile integral greater than 8000 mm/Hg/cm/s at very high amplitude and velocity.

According to a study conducted on 34 patients suffering with jackhammer esophagus disease most of the patients also suffered from dysphagia and chest pain.

Researchers at Loyola University Health System in 2015 identified a new rare swallowing disorder known as achalasia that can happen to people at any age. Achalasia is a rare disease with no cause and cure known.

What are the Causes of Jackhammer Esophagus?

Since this disease is recently gained importance in the research area not much is known about the disease. Some researchers link jackhammer esophagus disease as an abnormality of the nerve controlling the esophagus.

While others relate it to increased amount of acetylcholine. Yet another finds it to be associated with GERD.

Other causes of jackhammer esophagus disease are listed below:

1. A person with psychiatric illness who has been treated with tricyclic antidepressants may suffer with the disease. But it is not that both diseases are linked to each other.
2. Caucasians are at risk that other ethnic backgrounds.
3. Gender also play an important role in this disease. Women are more likely to be affected than men.
4. Adults are at more risk of having this disease than children.
5. High blood pressure
6. Anxiety and depression
7. Consuming very hot or very cold food and drinks
8. Drinking red wine

What are the Symptoms Associated with Jackhammer Esophagus?

The symptoms can range from mild to severe. Many times the symptoms of this disease goes undiagnosed or misunderstood with other diseases such as acid reflux, GERD, achalasia and eosinophilic esophagus.

The symptoms associated with jackhammer esophagus disease are as follows:

1. Chest pain
2. Lump in the throat feeling
3. Heartburn
4. Difficulty in swallowing food and liquids
5. Expulsion or regurgitation

Chest pain due to jackhammer disease may be as severe as having a heart attack.

How Jackhammer Esophagus Disease is Diagnosed?

Diagnosing this disease is not that easy because it is often misdiagnosed with other related diseases. The doctor may ask for patient’s history, health report, symptoms experienced and then conduct related tests. There are two specific tests for jackhammer esophagus

1. Barium swallow
2. Esophageal manometry

Other tests may be carried out to confirm jackhammer esophagus.

How to Treat Jackhammer Esophagus?

The patient may or may not need any medical assistance depending on the severity of the disease or symptoms associated with it. Mortality is very rare in this disease.

Treatments of jackhammer esophagus include the following:

1- Dietary management: Managing diet is very important in reducing pain. The patient should avoid eating late at night.

Carbonate food that lead to heartburn should be avoided. The patient should be able to distinguish between good food and bad food so that he/she can manage the disease.

2- Medications: Medication includes antidepressants, proton pump inhibitors, smooth muscle relaxer, nitrates to reduce chest pain, calcium channel blockers and botulinum toxin.

3- Esophageal pH Monitoring: If there is acid reflux, this test is conducted.

4- X ray: It gives the image of the esophagus.

5- Esophageal Dilation: It is required if the patient has trouble in swallowing the food.

6- Surgery: If nothing works, surgery can be the only option. Myotomy is the surgery to treat esophageal spasm. This is not always recommended.

7- Per Oral Endoscopy Myotomy (POEM): It involves fixing the problems of esophageal spasm. The operation takes place through the mouth using a gastroscope. It is a new technique that leaves no surgical scars and no pain. This is the minimal invasive procedure.

Are There Some Home remedies to Treat Jackhammer Esophagus Disease?

There are certain home remedies that can be helpful in treating jackhammer esophagus. Some of these are listed below:

1. Food and beverages should be chosen carefully.
2. Anxiety and stress should be controlled to avoid any trigger.
3. Placing a peppermint lozenge under the tongue helps to soothe the muscles. Peppermint oil is beneficial in esophageal spasm. It relaxes the muscles.
4. Very hot and very cold food and beverages should be avoided.

Lifestyle change to a healthy eating habits and regular physical activities are beneficial in any case. Some of the changes in the lifestyle and eating habit can help in managing jackhammer esophagus disease. In case of any disease it is very important to educate the patient everything about the disease and associated symptoms.

The esophageal spasm diseases are very rare and their actual cause is still not known. Research is still going on in this field to find the reason behind the disease and treatment of the disease. New researches will give new knowledge about the disease and more and more people will be aware of the disease.

The esophagus is a muscular tube separated into three separate sections. When you swallow, they will all contract at the same time to move food downwards.

However, a diffuse esophageal spasm causes your esophagus to contract in an uncoordinated way, making your food stay in your esophagus rather than continuing downwards to your stomach.

As you may be already to tell already, this can result in a myriad of various issues and, of course, treatments and symptoms.

This article will be covering many of these problems and explain how your esophagus works much more clearly than I have already done so far.

How The Esophagus Works

The esophagus is a somewhat complex part of your anatomy. I say this because it is made of two layers of muscle – inner circular and outer longitudinal layers – and it is divided into three separate zones, although they all work together and use much of the same anatomical structures. No worries about how complex this will get; I’ll keep it very simple to avoid confusion.

The upper zone of your esophagus is what starts the contractions in your throat that push your food or drink down. It is made up of striated muscle, which means you can control this part of your esophagus!

It has the upper esophageal sphincter in it, which means that it can detect when there is food or drink making its way down your throat and then it will help coordinate the progression of it downwards.

The middle zone has both striated and smooth muscles, which means you only have partial control over this zone.

Here, the inner circular and outer longitudinal muscles work together to continue moving the food down your throat.

The lower zone is not a zone you have any control over and it has the lower esophageal sphincter in it.

This sphincter is typically contracted to prevent any reflux – which is very good for us to not experience – and will relax to allow the food to pass.

As you can see, it is a very specific and coordinated act to simply have your food pass through your esophagus.

You already probably thought of the consequences of not being able to swallow well at the same time, but now you can see exactly how wrong it can go.

Each muscle must work one immediately after the other to continue pushing it through or else it will get stuck somewhere because there is no longer a push behind it.

Possible Types of Spasms

There are two major types of esophageal spasm. We’ll be focusing on diffuse esophageal spasm, but there is also hypertensive peristalsis. They are very similar, but act a little differently from one another.

Diffuse esophageal spasm, as we have already noted, happens when contractions in your throat aren’t any harder than normal but they are uncoordinated or don’t happen simultaneously.

Meanwhile, hypertensive peristalsis – also known by the wonderful name of nutcracker esophagus – occurs when the contractions are coordinated but there is a high amplitude.

An extreme form of this is called hypercontractile esophagus, or jackhammer esophagus. This is when the contractions are of very high amplitude, involve most of your throat, and occurs for a prolonged period.

In both of these cases, this would be swallowing very hard, like if you had a lot of food or drink to swallow. This is typically measured by using manometric or radiologic tools, as it would be hard to observe either spasm otherwise.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms that can be experienced with these types of spasms as it affects your throat and chest region. The symptoms include things like:

• Chest pain; usually starts or worsens with hot foods or liquids
• Difficulty swallowing, often leading to the feeling of food stuck in the center of your chest
• Heartburn
• Regurgitation

The severity of pain or how aware you are of it depends on how severe your condition is. Because of these symptoms, it is very common for diffuse esophageal spasms to be underdiagnosed.

Two of the main symptoms – chest pain and heartburn – can be written off as indigestion, a heart attack or another heart related issue in some cases.

These symptoms can also lead to you being unable to eat if the spasms are too severe. This is when you need to see a doctor for treatment quickly.

However, even if your set of symptoms isn’t too severe, if it begins having a noticeable impact on how you eat or drink things, you should talk to a doctor and see what you can do in your particular case.

Causes

There are several different causes and potential factors of diffuse esophageal spasms. One of these is disruption or damage to the nerves which coordinate the muscle movement in the esophagus.

This can lead to achalasia in some cases, where it prevents the esophagus from pushing food into your stomach. This could be caused by an abnormal immune response in some people.

Achalasia symptoms has many of the same symptoms as an esophageal spasm in addition to weight loss. This can be treated with a very minimally invasive surgery or therapy.

The increased release of acetylcholine, the chemical nerve cells release to other cells – could potentially be a factor as well, although right now there doesn’t seem to be any reason why this would start happening.

Gastric reflux or a primary nerve disorder have also been theorized for being a factor as to why these spams happen. For now, they are still theories.

Having difficulties swallowing any liquid or food tends to suggest a neuromuscular disorder while difficulties swallowing food tends to come from a structural issue within your esophagus.

And, surprisingly, difficulties swallowing can be made worse by consuming very hot or very cold products, hearing lots of loud noises, or being stressed.

Risk Factors

I mentioned earlier how risky these spasms can be. However, while there are already risks for having difficulties swallowing, many of the risk factors I’m listing emerge from the potential issues with treatments. Many of these problems are based on the type or therapy and treatment used.

For just a quick look at potential risks, there is a risk of:

• Getting a hole in your esophagus when it has been dilated; this could lead to surgery to have the hole closed again
• Damage to a stomach nerve may occur in certain treatments
• Infection (as with every surgical procedure)
• Pneumonia

Keep in mind that these have only a chance of happening, and only with particular treatments. Your doctor should discuss the possibilities of each treatment so you can decide if it is something you want to do or not.

Treatments

There are a few different treatment options available to you, some of which are a bit unexpected.

The first one I’ll mention is Botox. That’s right, you can get Botox injected to help out with your spasms.

This helps because it will be injected into the muscle that is causing the problem and it will prevent the nerves from releasing the chemical that will make the muscle contract. This may need to be done again over time to ensure it stays that way.

Sometimes, muscle relaxants help those experiencing diffuse esophageal spasms because it will stop the muscles from contracting at the wrong times.

It’s been said that a little bit of peppermint oil mixed with water that you drink helps make the muscles in your throat contract normally again. However, this may not work for many people or be recommended by your doctor.

If none of the other treatment options work – which there are definitely more that your doctor is likely to offer you – then surgery is likely going to be the next option.

Due to how severe this condition is and how it can impact your health, it is better to get it taken care of and fixed as quickly as possible.

Conclusion

Now you have learned a lot more information about diffuse esophageal spasms. Hopefully this information will help you later down the line, particularly if you or someone around you begins experiencing similar symptoms or notes that they have difficulty swallowing their food.

While it may not be very severe in most cases, if you think it is a condition you may have, you should contact your doctor about it and see if you can get a test done – if they agree that you may have it, that is.

This is important to do because it can help you avoid particular types of food and drink that make it difficult for you to swallow or enjoy your food.

There’s nothing worse than going to a nice restaurant with your family and friends only to not be able to eat and you end up being in pain over it.

Make sure to list your symptoms and monitor what you eat more often if you think this is the problem. It could just be you need to eat smaller bites or that you are having indigestion issues.

In any case, you now have more knowledge than before and can be pretty prepared for any issues with esophageal spasms that may come your way.

The esophagus is the tube which connects the mouth and the stomach. When the esophagus contracts, it moves the food from the mouth to the stomach through a regular pattern and a coordinated rhythm.

The term esophageal spasm means that the contractions of the esophagus are irregular and not coordinated and very powerful as well. This condition is also called as diffuse esophageal spasm or DES.

When these conditions occur, it means that the spasms might stop the flow of food from the mouth to the stomach. When this happens, the food gets stuck in the esophagus.

Mostly the food passes very smoothly from the esophagus and it is very strong. This is known as nutcracker esophagus. These contractions can move the food from the tube to the stomach, but they cause severe pain.

The symptoms of esophageal spasm?

The most common symptom of esophageal spasm is chest pain which later spreads out in the form of pain in the arm, back, neck and jaws. This pain is very similar to that of a heart attack. If ever you face chest pain, you should take it seriously and consult your doctor to get checked if it is a cardiac attack.

Apart from this, other esophageal spasm symptoms include, finding it very difficult to swallow food, or getting pain when swallowing. Heart burn and the pain associated with the food getting stuck are other symptoms as well.

How is esophageal spasm diagnosed?

Diagnosing esophageal spasm is not that hard as your doctor might ask you some questions related to your medical history.

These questions are about what kind of foods or liquids get stuck, where it feels the food gets stuck, and some medicines that you should be taking in order to cure esophageal symptoms.

Further confirmation regarding esophageal spasm can be achieved by getting the esophageal tests done including the esophageal manometry test or the barium swallow.

Esophageal manometry makes use of a little tube which is attached to different instruments transducers who measure pressure. A barium swallow, on the other hand, is done using X-rays.

For their own satisfaction and to be hundred percent accurate, doctors might do other tests to find out if the chest pain is caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease known commonly as GERD, or the abnormal backflow reflux of food in which people face the problem of food coming in their mouth again and again, and other digestive juices from the stomach in to the esophagus.

How can esophagus spasm be treated?

Getting rid of esophageal spasm does not only include treating esophageal spasm itself but other conditions that make it worse as well such as the gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

GERD is normally treated if you make changes in your diet and lifestyle and with the help of some medicines that help to lower the acids in your stomach.

Some other treatments for esophageal spasm include:

• When you go to your doctor to consult your problem he or she might tell you to omit any kinds of foods or he might tell you what to eat or what not to not. Certain foods take a longer time to digest and they may cause problems for you.
• Your doctor will also tell you which foods and liquids are easier to swallow.
• In this treatment, a device is used and place in your esophagus and it helps to expand and create space in your otherwise narrow areas of the esophagus. With the broadening of these areas, you will not be facing problems of food getting stuck. You may need to have this treatment a few times.
• Although this is rare and occurs only in extreme cases but this is also one of the treatments for esophagus spasm. Surgery is needed to be done with people who have problems related to the lower esophageal muscle known as achalasia.
• Doctors suggest medicines to those who cannot have dilation or surgery done. Common medicines which doctors suggest include, botulinum toxin. This medicine helps to relax the muscles in your esophagus.

What is a jackhammer esophagus?

Jackhammer esophagus is also known as hypercontractile peristalsis. It is an esophageal motility disorder which involves all of the muscles in the esophagus. In this condition, the spasms are so intense and last for a long time making the person feel extremely distressed in the end.

Causes of jackhammer esophagus

The obvious causes of jackhammer esophagus are exactly not known but it has been evolved that this condition might take place by abnormalities in the nerve pathways which control the esophagus tube or because of a large amount of acetylcholine. Some doctors say that jackhammer esophagus is caused by GERD.

Jackhammer esophagus is more common in those patients who already have a psychiatric illness and this condition is then treated with the help of antidepressants.

This, however, does not necessarily mean that those patients with psychiatric illness have jackhammer esophagus or if there is any connection between the two diseases.

Jackhammer esophagus is most common in:

• In people who belong to the race of Caucasians
• In women more than men
• More likely to be found in adults rather than children

Symptoms of jackhammer esophagus

Apart from esophageal spasm, other symptoms of jackhammer esophagus include:

• Chest pain
• When you feel like you have a lump in your throat
• When you feel difficulty in swallowing your food
• Regurgitation means the food eaten keeps on coming back in your mouth
• When you feel burning in your heart

The chest pain that is associated with jackhammer esophagus may be so severe that it might make you feel that you are about to have a heart attack. Some certain foods make the condition of jackhammer esophagus even worse.

What is a nutcracker esophagus?

Nutcracker esophagus is a condition in which you find it too difficult to swallow your food. In half of the patients, this kind of condition is caused by gastroesophageal reflux. The symptoms of nutcracker esophagus include chest pain which is similar to that of a heart attack.

Other symptoms include heartburn which is a burning sensation under the breastbone. One more common symptom is dysphagia which is a condition in which the food gets stuck under the breastbone.

Some treatments for treating nutcracker esophagus include:

• Doctors do the anti-reflux therapy as many patients who have nutcracker esophagus have GERD.
• Some drugs are given like nitrates and calcium channel blockers which help to relax the muscles of the esophagus.
• Some antidepressants are also given which are known to lower the level of pain in patients.

Some home remedies to treat esophageal spasms?

It is not always necessary to go for drugs or straightaway go to a doctor if you have esophagus spasm. Although in severe cases you should immediately consult a doctor, some home remedies are also available which you can use to treat your esophageal condition naturally.

Some of the home remedies to treat esophagus spasm naturally include:

• Make a list of foods that you feel cause esophagus spasm in you and cut them down in order to avoid eating those kinds of food.
• Avoid eating extremely hot and extremely cold food and so let your foods sit and rest for a while before actually digging in.
• Try to control your stress level as it is known that when a person takes more stress, esophageal spasms must be more common in them.
• Sucking a peppermint lozenge is known to heal esophageal spasms. Peppermint oil is a very smooth muscle relaxant and it relaxes your esophagus muscles. The perfect way to achieve its advantages is by keeping the peppermint lozenge under your tongue.

How to determine if your chest pain is related to the heart?

Chest pains are a source of great anxiety and stress if one goes through it. Chest pain is often associated with heart disease though it is not necessary. Nevertheless, chest pains should never be ignored or taken lightly.

It is very important for a person to learn the difference between chest pains that are related to heart attack and chest pains that are not related to heart attack.

One of the main sources of chest pain is the esophagus. The acid that refluxes back from the stomach and into the esophagus can be a kind of heart disorder. This is very commonly known as heartburn. It has nothing to do with the heart though.

Difference between chest pains and cardiac chest pain

Cardiac chest pains normally occur during the day while other chest pains occur at the end of the day. In a cardiac chest pain, a person feels heaviness and if the air is been squeezing out from them. In normal chest pains, it is very easy to locate the pain and it is not as severe as cardiac chest pain.

Cardiac chest pain may be brought about by exertion or carrying a heavyweight. It might be so severe that it can wake you up from your sleep. Other chest pain is associated with a kind of heartburn.

Cardiac chest pains last for a very long time but other chest pains may come and then quickly go as well. For cardiac arrest, immediate treatment is necessary, or it can be life-threatening, while for other chest pains, exertion or exercising might be enough.

What is diffuse esophageal spasm?

Diffuse esophageal spasm or DES is a condition which is characterized by the contractions in the esophagus which cause too much difficulty in swallowing dysphagia or else regurgitation. Sometimes this can lead to heart attack or chest pain.

The causes of diffuse esophageal spasm are not exactly known to this date, however many causes of it include uncontrolled brain signals that run to the nerve endings.

Some of the common medicines to treat this condition include anti-depressants and anti-epileptic medicines. It is reported that food which is either very hot or very cold might trigger these symptoms and might be one of the causes of it.

Drugs to treat diffuse esophageal spasm?

Some common drugs that can treat diffuse esophageal spasm are nitroglycerin, calcium channel blockers, hydralazine and some anti-anxiety medicines.

These medicines and drugs are known to treat mild cases of patients having diffuse esophageal spasms though in extreme cases, immediate surgery is required.

Esophageal spasms and its variants

Esophageal spasms can be divided into two variants known as diffuse esophageal spasm and hypertensive peristalsis. While diffuse esophageal spasm has been mentioned clearly above, hypertensive peristalsis is another name for nutcracker esophagus.

Its symptoms include dysphagia, regurgitation, and noncardiac chest pain. The best way to treat these situations is by the high-resolution manometry which has been known and proven to be successful.

Esophageal spasm, an overview?

Esophagus spasm is very normal nowadays. It is not a very deadly disease, but it can turn in to one provided you do not take care of it.

Often, we see people and most importantly kids choking vigorously on their foods until they get tears in their eyes. It is at that time when the food that they eat goes into the breathing tube which makes them choke.

In severe cases, you should contact your doctor and if you feel that you are undergoing with the treatment of your esophageal spasm but still not recovering from it you should contact your healthcare provider.

You should contact your health care provider if your symptoms do not improve even after treatment. You are losing weight without even trying. You get severe pain when you swallow food.

You have absolute right to plan your care. It is your responsibility to learn and get to know about your health condition and how you should treat it. You must discuss your treatment and its process with your family and friends.

It is just that you should go for a body checkup once a month or if you are above 40 then twice a month to avoid mishaps and deadly diseases.

The Most Common Symptoms

There are probably millions of people worldwide who suffer from GERD symptoms and probably aren’t even aware of what it is.  

Here are the most common symptoms of GERD:

• Heartburn or acid indigestion
• Coughing – persistent without any apparent reason, especially after meals
• Wheezing or asthma
• Hoarseness or laryngitis, especially in the morning
• Bitter or sour taste in the mouth
• Regurgitation of food or fluids
• Sore throat or the need to clear the throat
• Dental erosions
• The “lump in the throat” feeling

Many people experience these symptoms without even being aware that GERD is responsible. Economically, the U.S. alone can account for over $9 billion being spent annually to deal with this increasingly more common health condition. The good news is that it is both treatable and controllable.

But, What About Esophageal Spasms?

Before we can talk about esophageal spasms, we must first bring everyone up to speed on just exactly what GERD is and why it is so uncomfortable to deal with. Let’s ask and answer some questions about this condition to help you understand it better:

What is the esophagus? 

The esophagus is a tube which essentially connects the mouth to the stomach. It is responsible for moving the food you eat into the stomach for its trip through the digestive tract.

What is an esophageal spasm? 

When it is functioning normally, the esophageal muscles contract to move the food you have eaten from the mouth to the stomach. Under normal circumstances, it performs this action by incorporating regular and coordinated rhythmic movements.  

When the esophagus contracts in an irregular, uncoordinated and sometimes powerful manner, it is called an esophageal spasm.  

Are there types of esophageal spasms?

Some medical practitioners may refer to this condition as “diffuse (or distal) esophageal spasm” or DES. There is another type called “nutcracker esophagus” in which the muscular contractions are coordinated but are really too strong and cause some pretty severe pain to the patient.

What happens to the food being swallowed when this happens?  

These spasms have the ability to keep the food from getting to the stomach. If this is the situation, the food gets stuck in the esophagus.

What happens to the esophagus over time?

If these esophageal spasms are frequent, or considered chronic, the patient is not only subjected to the discomforts mentioned above during the spasmodic episodes, but an esophageal stricture can form, which can further complicate the swallowing process.

What is an esophageal stricture?

An esophageal stricture is an accumulation of benign, non-cancerous types of tissue which build up inside the esophageal tube.  

This stricture is caused by ulcers or chronic inflammation and can make swallowing solid foods more difficult, though swallowing liquids are generally not a problem.  

The types of strictures relate to the size of the constriction:

• simple having a symmetric diameter of more than 12 mm.
• complex having an asymmetric diameter of less than 12 mm.

What Are the Symptoms of Esophageal Spasms?

If you have the GERD condition, then you have part of the symptom and cause picture already.

Here are some of the known causes of esophageal spasms:

• Chest pain – this pain may spread outward to the arms, back, neck or jaw and may feel similar to a heart attack
• Difficulty or being unable to swallow solid food or liquids
• Pain with swallowing
• Feeling like you have food stuck in the center of your chest
• Heartburn – this is a burning feeling in your chest

What Causes Esophageal Spasms and Strictures?

Esophageal spasms are a relatively rare disorder which is noted for its abnormal muscular contractions in the esophagus.

Having said that, let me also say that, although the research is ongoing, medical science has not yet pinned down the actual reason why this muscular abnormality happens.

The general trend of thought is that the nerve activity which controls the muscular contractions isn’t functioning properly.

Some medical practitioners have found that, for some of their patients, consumption of very hot or very cold foods and beverages can trigger an episode.  

Here are some of the things which are felt to also be GERD triggers:

• Foods:
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Coffee
  • Cola
  • Other carbonated beverages
  • Alcohol
  • Chocolate
  • Fried and fatty foods
  • Citrus fruits
  • Peppermint
  • Spearmint
  • Tomato sauces

• Medications:
  • Alpha blockers (generally used for the prostate)
  • Nitrates (used for angina)
  • Calcium channel blockers (used for angina and high blood pressure)
  • Tricyclics (used for depression)
  • Theophylline (used for asthma)
  • Bisphosphonates (used for osteoporosis)
  • Anti-inflammatories (used for arthritis, pain and fever)

• Other causes include:
  • Smoking
  • Obesity
  • Overeating
  • Wearing tight clothing around the waist
  • Hiatus hernia (a condition in which a part of the stomach bulges up through the diaphragm muscle into the lower chest area)
  • Pregnancy

How Are Esophageal Spasms and GERD Diagnosed?

When it comes to diagnosing your condition, your medical practitioner will need some information from you on the history of your complaints.

He’ll need to know what foods or liquids most frequently trigger the episodes and symptoms, where it feels like the food is getting stuck, your general overall health conditions and any medications which you are taking for them — this includes prescription as well as over-the-counter medications.

After this history and your medical practitioners examination, there will need to be some testing done to confirm any diagnosis.

Here are some of those tests:

• Esophagus tests which may include esophageal manometry  – a test using a small tube down the esophagus attached to instruments which measure pressure.
• Barium swallow which requires swallowing of a barium solution and x-ray imaging to follow its progress.
• Other tests may be needed to confirm that the chest pain is being caused by GERD (which is the abnormal backflow of stomach acid, food and other digestive juices from the stomach into the esophagus).

What Can Be Done About Esophageal Spasms and GERD?

As I’m sure you can readily see, the two conditions can and do exist together and, controlling one will certainly go a long way toward controlling the other.  

Here are some of the treatments your medical practitioner may recommend:

Dietary changes – your medical practitioner may make some recommendations about food and liquid changes in an attempt to help make your swallowing easier.

Dilation of the esophagus – this procedure requires that a device be inserted into your esophagus to gently and carefully enlarge any narrowed areas of your esophagus. This is a treatment which may need to be repeated.

Surgery – this recommendation is generally for those people having problems involving the lower esophageal muscle.

Medications – if you’re not able to have surgery or the dilation, your medical practitioner may prescribe medications which are designed to relax the muscles in the esophagus – these medications can include:

• Calcium channel blockers  
• Nitrates (sublingual nitroglycerin)
• Hycosamine
• Anti-anxiety medications like Xanax or anticholinergic (dicyclomine)
• Botulinum toxin – this involves injections of botulinum toxin into the smooth muscle of the lower esophagus in the hopes of inhibiting the transmission of nerve pulses thereby relaxing them
• Relaxed breathing training, biofeedback or hypnosis to provide relaxation
• Warm water – drinking a glass of warm water has been found to relieve some of the symptoms in less severe cases

Complications to GERD

In addition to the discomforts that accompany the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) condition, there are also some things of which you should be concerned if the condition remains untreated or uncontrolled.  

Of the 19+ million people suffering from GERD, most have the heartburn symptoms and many have the throat and lung symptoms.  

There are, however, some who suffer on to develop complications.  Here are some of the complications from which some GERD patients suffer:

Esophagitis – this is inflammation of the esophagus, also called the food pipe – it causes persistent burning pain which make eating and swallowing difficult and painful – if not treated, ulcers of the tube’s lining can form and these can bleed – as episodes of esophagitis are repeated, scarring can occur which can cause strictures (narrowing of the tube)

A very small percentage (2%) of GERD patients are known to suffer from severe esophagus and the percentage of GERD patients who go on to develop Barrett’s Esophagus is even smaller – Barrett’s Esophagus develops when severe inflammation and acid combine to form premalignant changes in the cells in the lining of the esophagus. Approximately 2% to 5% of those having Barrett’s Esophagus will go on to develop cancer.

To prevent the progression of severe esophagitis to Barrett’s Esophagus and onto cancer, one should take medications which suppress acid indefinitely. If Barrett’s Esophagus has developed, regular endoscopies would help to monitor any progression to cancer.

The bottom line to all of this information about esophageal spasms and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is this:  if you or someone you love suffers from any of these symptoms and is not currently being treated or if their normal symptoms for which they are being treated change, you really need to get medical advice sooner rather than later.  

The sooner the condition is brought under control and kept under control, the better the prognosis for the patient.

Bibliography:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/esophageal-spasm-topic-overview#2

http://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/gerd-heartburn-and-more

You take a bite, chew and swallow. What happens with your food after that is pretty much out of your control?

In order to move the food into your stomach, your esophagus contracts at regular intervals, pushing it downward. At least, that’s what’s supposed to happen.

Esophageal spasms occur when the esophagus either begins to contract irregularly or simply contracts with too much power.

One type of spasm causes the esophagus to contract irregularly, which will not allow food or liquid to pass down to the stomach, which can lead to choking.

Another type continues in a regular pattern, but the contractions are much stronger than necessary.

Aside from affecting your life and health by making eating, drinking and even sleeping difficult, both of these conditions can be extremely painful, and their underlying causes are not well-understood.

There are measures you can take to manage and even eradicate these uncomfortable and even dangerous spasms.

Something Askew

Esophageal spasms seem to be caused by the nerves that control swallowing functioning abnormally.

The esophageal muscles begin to contract strongly and sometimes without the natural rhythm that moves food downward toward the stomach.

This may make swallowing food and water difficult and can even cause food to get stuck in your throat.

In addition, the powerful contractions of the esophagus are very painful, and may last from a few minutes to several hours.

The pain caused by esophageal spasms may actually be mistaken for a heart attack, as it is generally felt as an extreme tightness and sharp pain in the chest and is sometimes accompanied by shortness of breath.

It is important that you take your symptoms seriously, visit your physician, and be sure you are not experiencing heart problems before addressing the condition.

Breathless Possibilities

You may also experience difficulty breathing when you are suffering from esophageal spasms.

This seems to originate from the connection seen between stress, chronic acid reflux or heartburn, and esophageal spasms.

In some cases, acid reflux is found to be a trigger for esophageal spasms. Stomach acid creeping into the esophagus causes the esophagus to narrow, which can lead to spasming.

If it reaches the vocal folds and airways, acid may cause them to swell, creating asthma-like symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath.

It is also possible that the airways begin to close off to keep acid from entering the lungs.

One of the triggers for both esophageal spasms and acid reflux is anxiety or panic attacks.

These on their own can cause difficulty breathing, and combined with the painful spasms and acid can effectively close off a large percentage of your throat.

Although you cannot directly control the contractions of the esophagus, relax as much as possible when you are struggling with spasms.

Refuse to panic and take steps you have learned will ease the spasm and reopen the passageways.

If this becomes a dangerous symptom for you, your physician should be able to prescribe medication to carry with you for emergencies.

Finger off the Trigger

Esophageal spasms are generally set off by specific triggers. They appear to be more frequent and severe when a person is suffering from stress or anxiety. Sometimes very hot or very cold food or liquid can cause them to begin.

Foods that cause acid reflux should be considered if you suspect this to be one of the causes of your esophageal spasms.

Even if you have not noticed a direct connection, continued struggle with acid reflux can cause permanent narrowing or scarring of the esophagus, which definitely compounds the problem.

Prevention is always better than pain when it comes to spasms, so begin at once to make a list of foods, situations, etc. that you know have caused esophageal spasms for you in the past. Keep alert to other possible triggers and do what you can to avoid them.

Relax to Reflex

Dealing with esophageal spasms long term is likely to call for some changes to your lifestyle. Once you have identified triggers, take care to deal with them appropriately.

Let foods or drinks with extreme temperatures cool or warm slightly before swallowing them. Take note of and avoid those that regularly cause problems for you.

Search for ways to control stress and avoid eating when you are anxious or uptight.

Some people have found that sucking peppermint lozenges helps to relax the muscles in their throat, relieving the pain of spasms. A small amount of peppermint oil mixed with water will have the same affect.

Eating quickly and not taking the time to chew your food well can lead to esophageal spasms. So slow down and get that first step of digestion done right.

Naturally, you will need to consult your doctor for help in identifying the probable cause of your esophageal spasms and deciding on a course of action to treat them.

Right in The Gut

Overall gut health may help you to address your esophageal difficulties at the root level, and should be one of the first lifestyle changes you make.

Esophageal spasms are often connected to other health problems, specifically digestive ones.

Learn what types of food irritate or inflame the digestive system and what types help it do its job without hang-ups.

Bread, spicy foods, and acidic foods like tomatoes and chocolate can cause esophageal problems.

Plenty of fiber, minerals and water, on the other hand should keep things running more smoothly.

Getting the right amount of nutrients—vitamins and minerals—is extremely important for your muscles, including those of your esophagus, to work correctly.

Make sure you are getting enough magnesium along with other vital nutrients.

Eating slowly and swallowing small amounts at a time will help you to avoid some of the triggers of esophageal spasms.

Again, remember that tension or anxiety can trigger an attack and if you can, put off eating until you are feeling more relaxed.

Apple cider vinegar aids digestion, cutting down on acid reflux issues. Simply add one tablespoon of raw vinegar with the mother to twelve ounces of water and sip it slowly once a day or when you are struggling with spasm attacks.

Shaking Spasms for Good

Hopefully this article has made it clear that the first step to dealing with esophageal spasms is consulting a medical professional.

Be sure of what you are dealing with and get as much of an idea as possible as to the root cause of the painful condition.

If you are over your optimal weight, it might be a good idea to lose a few pounds. This can help reduce esophageal spasms.

Be sure to eat plenty of nutrient and fiber rich food to give your digestive system a head start to healthy.

Some people have found that regularly taking Aloe Vera (as juice or in capsule form) reduces and even eradicates the problem of esophageal spasms. Caffeine and alcohol, on the other hand, are often triggers for attacks.

Esophageal spasms are also another reason to stop smoking. The nicotine and hot smoke irritate the esophagus and can trigger spasms as well as causing ongoing degeneration of the esophagus.

Avoid foods that give you acid reflux or heartburn. You may wish to start keeping a food journal so that you are able to track meals, snacks or situations that trigger acid reflux or esophageal spasms.

Other preventative measures include eating smaller more frequent meals in place of large ones and resisting the urge to binge on junk food.

Try not to eat anything for three or four hours before lying down to sleep. This can help prevent acid reflux and the resulting damage to your esophagus and spasms.

If this nighttime acid refluxes a continuing problem for you, you may try raising the head of your bed four to eight inches.

Be aware that placing your head on a pile of pillows does not have the same affect and can actually compound the problem as it forces your body into an unnatural position.

Avoid wearing tight belts or clothing that puts pressure on the muscles and organs connected to digestion and breathing.

When you are suffering from an esophageal spasm, don’t panic. Slow up and try taking small sips of water.

If you often suffer attacks, you may want to carry a small bottle of water with you for this purpose.

With practiced awareness and careful lifestyle choices, you should be able to control and manage your esophageal spasms and cut some of the pain out of your life.

Medications and even surgeries are available to relieve extreme cases and should be something you discuss with your physician.

This article is intended to help educate you as to the condition and has hopefully answered a few questions for you.

Again, be aware that painful esophageal spasms are simply a symptom. Along with managing it, you will be doing your best to address the root cause, whether it is unhealthy lifestyle or eating habits, digestive problems, etc.

This long tube has a number of sphincter muscles all the way down that help push food and water down, but they are also the way that you regurgitate food when you are sick.

If and when you throw up, you will feel just how powerful these esophageal muscles are, since they have to drag food all the way from your stomach back to your mouth.

Esophageal spasms are just like these contractions, although they are not to do with the body needing to throw something up.

They can be extremely powerful and are very often irregular. If you have suffered from esophageal spasms before, you will know just how unpleasant they are and want to take steps to preventing them from happening again. There are a number of ways in which you can do just this.

1- Try to avoid particularly hot or cold foods

Although it is not known exactly what causes esophageal spasms, eating very hot and cold food has been linked to spasmodic episodes.

If you suffer a lot from esophageal spasms, try to eat food that is more tepid in temperature to avoid bringing on an episode. This is the first and easiest step to helping prevent esophageal spasms.

2- Eat healthily

Since the causes of esophageal spasms are not actually known, most doctors who deal with patients who suffer from episodes of esophageal spasms will recommend simply taking good care of your body. One of the best ways to ensure that your body is getting everything it needs is by eating healthy.

Make sure that you have enough fruit and vegetables from day to day, limit red meats, cut out very fatty or sugary snacks and drinks and try to stay away from caffeine, for instance.

Any licensed physician will be able to advice you on the best diet for you that will suit your lifestyle (for instance, if you are a professional sports person you will need to still consume a good number of calories, so you might need to adjust your diet somewhat to control your esophageal spasms). There is also plenty of help and advice to be found online.

3- Exercise often

As well as ensuring that you are eating well and getting the right nutrients and minerals into your body to keep everything well maintained, most doctors will also recommend that you exercise frequently, too.

Exercise can release endorphins in your brain which make you feel better and it can strengthen muscles that need to be strong if you are going to tackle your esophageal spasms.

Focusing your attentions on strengthening your core muscles – i.e. those around your stomach – can have a lasting effect on your esophageal spasms.

General fitness all round is also a bonus, especially if you are going to need surgery (see step 10), as you will need to prove to the doctors that you are well enough to go under the knife. Exercising at least three times a week for approximately 90 minutes can really help.

4- Avoid alcohol

Alcohol is well known for being quite bad for you. In small quantities, it is said to not be too unhealthy, but if you want to avoid esophageal spasms, you are going to need to cut it out completely. Do not drink alcohol of any sort.

5- Take calcium channel blockers

Sometimes, calcium channel blockers are given as a treatment for esophageal spasms, but you can also take them preemptively. These can either stop an episode from occurring altogether or they can simply make the spasms less powerful and further between.

6- Take nitroglycerin (but only on your doctor’s say-so!)

Like calcium channel blockers, nitroglycerin under the tongue can help to treat esophageal spasms, but it can also be taken as a prevention step. However, it is essential that you only take nitroglycerin with the advice of your doctor.

7- Ask your doctor for low-dose anti depressants

Although it sounds strange, anti depressants can actually be used for a wide range of problems, including, but not limited to, the symptoms of esophageal spasms.

If you suffer or have suffered in the past from chronic esophageal spasms, this may well be an option for your treatment but, of course, you will need to consult your physician.

Trazodone or nortriptyline are often prescribed by doctors but you will need to prove that you are having chronic esophageal spasms.

8- Look into acid suppression therapy

If you are starting to get desperate because none of the above steps are working, you might need to start thinking about some more serious ways to avoid esophageal spasms. Acid suppression therapy is the first line of therapy that you should consider.

9- Consider botulinum toxin

If acid suppression therapy does not work, or if your doctor things it is the wrong course of treatment for you, look into botulinum toxin, which prevents as much acetylcholine being released from the nerve endings and can help prevent esophageal spasms.

10- As a last result, your doctor may consider surgery

Although it may seem drastic, anyone with chronic esophageal spasms will almost certainly be willing to give surgery a go.

Have a chronic problem with these sorts of spasms can be depressing and get in the way of leading a normal life. If you think you would be a good candidate for surgery, consult and take the advice of a licensed physician.

They may well think that they need to improve the dilation or wideness of your esophagus in surgery.

This can help to lessen the symptoms of esophageal spasms, but it is only ever done as a last resort and it is not necessarily a cure: most people will continue to suffer from the spasms, but they will be less severe in nature.

Also look into natural treatments for esophageal spasms.

Further reading:

http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/esophageal-spasm-topic-overview

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000289.htm

http://www.healthline.com/health/esophageal-manometry#Overview1

Sometimes, mysteries arise in the most banal of things. The human life and the human body are themselves mysteries and, even with the state-of-the-art medical technology available these days, it is still very difficult to find answers to certain medical questions.

Esophageal spasms are among them. When thinking of muscle spasms, most of the people would naturally associate them with large groups of muscles such as those on the legs, those on the arms or those on the back.

It may be surprising, but there are many other types of muscles in the human body we are not even aware of.

For instance, the esophagus is the hollow tube one can find right in between the throat and the stomach.

This tube has the role of pushing down the food into the stomach through contractions which are generated by the muscles surrounding it.

Thus, every single bite of food is a type of “exercise” for the esophageal muscles.

Esophageal Spasms: Banal, Yet Mysterious

Esophageal spasms are, in most of the cases, not dangerous and they occur sporadically.

Under certain circumstances though, they can become recurrent and very aggressive, which can consequently lead to developing an inability to eat properly.

When a spasm appears in the esophageal muscles, they contract involuntarily, making swallowing difficult and leading to regurgitation.

In certain cases, such spasms can be very painful as well. However, most of the people do not experience severe esophageal muscles.

As banal as they may seem, these spasms are very much mysterious. Although research has been done in the area, specialists have not yet been able to point out what it is exactly that causes these spasms.

One theory goes that they are caused by the wrongful signals the nerves in the esophageal muscles send them, which cause the muscles to contract involuntarily.

Also, it is worth noting that there are two types of esophageal spasms: diffuse and nutcracker.

The diffuse esophageal spasms are those which occur uncontrollably and that are not regular.

These ones are the types of spasms that will most probably cause regurgitation of food and liquid due to the fact that the esophagus is not able to push them down into the stomach.

Furthermore, nutcracker spasms may not cause regurgitation, but they will be painful instead.

Unlike the diffuse ones, these ones are regular and they will not impede the food from going further into the stomach.

However, the intensity of the muscular movement in their case is too high – which is precisely why pain can appear.

Even more than that, you should know that even if the causes that lead to the development of this condition are not properly known, there are still a series of things that are considered to be risk factors in this case.

For instance, people who suffer from the gastroesophageal reflux disease, people who suffer from heartburn, anxious people and people who normally eat or drink very cold or very hot foods or liquids are more at risk to develop the condition.

The Main Types of Treatment for Esophageal Spasms

As mentioned before, the causes for this condition are not yet fully understood.

However, that does not mean that there aren’t several types of treatment available. Here are the main ways in which esophageal spasms can be treated- but not necessarily cured:

Medication

Generally speaking, the doctor will be able to prescribe certain types of medication meant to relax the muscles (including the esophageal ones). This way, the occurrence of the spasms can be lowered a lot.

Furthermore, a medical professional will most likely analyze whether the patient suffers from other associated conditions as well and he/she will prescribe adequate treatment for them- such as drugs that can treat heartburn or drugs that can treat the gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Some of these drugs can be bought over the counter as well, but it is still recommended that you speak to your doctor about it and that you don’t take them without his/her advice.

Surgery

There are certain cases when surgery may have to be performed. Mainly, the surgery will be aimed at treating acid reflux, which is commonly encountered in the case of those who suffer from esophageal spasms, that does not respond to any kind of medication.

Also, surgery may have to be performed to cut the muscle that is found at the bottom of the esophagus, and this can release the contractions a lot.

Lifestyle changes/home remedies

Aside from medication (and, in the worst case scenario, surgery), the doctor will also recommend you to change your lifestyle according to the various conditions that are associated with esophageal spasms and of which you may be suffering.

With that being said, he/she will probably advise you to:

• Not eat spicy foods or foods that are high in acid
• Not eat before sleeping (and leave a few hours in between your last meal and the moment you go to sleep)
• Eat several small meals every day (instead of 1-3 large meals)
• Smoke or use any kind of smokeless tobacco, for that matter
• Lose weight (if you are overweight)
• Not wear any kind of clothing that may be too tight around your middle part
• Raise the head of your bed approximately 6 to 8 inches
• See which are the things that trigger your spasms and remove them from your life
• Not eat food that is too hot or too cold (and this goes the same way about drinks as well)

Esophageal spasms can change one’s life. Not being to swallow food and drinks due to the pain (or not being to swallow them at all because your esophagus is pushing them back) can have awful repercussions on your health.

With a few adjustments brought to your life, with some medication and with properly informing yourself though, you can move past this and live a normal life even when suffering from this condition!

What are Esophageal Spasms?

The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth into the stomach. An esophageal spasm is when the esophagus has uncoordinated, irregular, and sometimes very powerful contractions.

Typically the contractions of the esophagus are coordinated, meant to move the food through the esophagus into the stomach.

Two Types of Esophageal Spasms

Diffuse: this type of esophageal spasm is one that is an irregular and uncoordinated squeezing of the esophagus’ muscles. This can keep food from going into the stomach, meaning it is stuck in the esophagus.

Nutcracker: this type of esophageal spasm squeezes in a coordinated way, in the same manner that moves food into the stomach normally.

However, this squeezing is strong. Though they do move food through and into the stomach, they can cause some severe pain. You can experience both types of esophageal spasms. However, esophageal spasms are quite uncommon.

Typically, the symptoms that could suggest you have esophageal spasms are due to other conditions such as GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, or achalasia- which is a disorder with the nervous system that keeps the muscles in the lower esophageal sphincter and the esophagus from properly working. Panic attacks and anxiety can result in very similar symptoms.

What Makes Esophageal Spasms Occur?

The actual reasons that esophageal spasms occur is not known. Many medical professionals say that it comes as a result of nerve activity disruption in coordinating the swallowing reflex of the esophagus. In some individuals, extremely hot or extremely cold foods could trigger an esophageal spasm.

Can Nicotine Cause Esophageal Spasms?

It has not been stated that nicotine causes or contributes to esophageal spasms, but it can have some effects on the gastrointestinal tract.

However, if you are experiencing esophageal spasms, it is recommended that, if you are currently using tobacco products, that you cease using them- or at least not use them as much.

Symptoms of an Esophageal Spasm

Most of the time, if you’re having an esophageal spasm, you may experience chest pain, spreading out to your back, arms, jaw, and/or neck. Some say that the pain is very similar to that of a heart attack.

If you’re experiencing chest pain, you should definitely be evaluated by your physician as soon as you can in order to rule out cardiac problems.

Other symptoms of an esophageal spasm include having problems or being unable to swallow liquids or foods, pain when swallowing, feeling like the food is stuck in the center of your chest, and heartburn (characterized by a burning sensation in the chest).

Diagnosing Esophageal Spasms

Your doctor will be able to determine the cause of your esophageal spasms simply by looking at your medical history and asking you a few questions.

These will include what foods/liquids trigger your symptoms, how you feel when the food gets stuck, what other symptoms or conditions you might have and whether or not you are currently on medication for them.

The process for diagnosing can also include tests such as a barium swallow or esophagus tests (for example, esophageal manometry).

A barium swallow will be completed using x-rays and esophageal manometry will include using a small tube that has been attached to transducers, which measure pressure.

Some other tests that could be done to find out if your chest pain is due to GERD, abnormal backflow- known as reflux- of stomach acid, food, and other digestive chemicals from the stomach into your esophagus.

Treatment for Esophageal Spasms

Treatment of esophageal spasms include treating other conditions that make them worse, including GERD. Typically, GERD is successfully treated with changes in your diet and lifestyle, as well as medications to reduce the amount of acid present in the stomach.

Following are some tips to try if you want to control/manage your esophageal spasms:

• Making some alterations in your eating habits
• Eat several small meals instead of 2-3 larger ones
• After eating, give yourself 2-3 hours before lying down- don’t have late night snacks
• Chocolate, alcohol, and mint can flare up symptoms of GERD- they actually relax the valve between the esophagus and the stomach
• Spicy foods and foods that have lots of acid, as well as coffee can aggravate the symptoms of GERD in some. If you notice that you have esophageal spasms after consuming certain foods, you might want to consider eliminating it from your diet to see if your symptoms do improve.

• If you smoke or use smokeless tobacco, stop- it could be contributing to your symptoms
• If you do have symptoms of GERD at night, you should raise the head of your bed about 6 to 8 inches by placing the frame on blocks or getting a foam wedge and placing it under the head of your mattress. Simply adding extra pillows will not work
• Don’t wear clothing that is tight around your middle section
• If you need to, lose weight- even just five to ten pounds can make a big difference

If these simple changes in lifestyle aren’t enough to help soothe the symptoms of GERD, your physician may suggest that you try taking some medications that will reduce stomach acid. OTC medications that your physician may suggest are:

• Antacids (Tums, Maalox, or Mylanta)
• Stronger medications meant to reduce acid such as Pepcid (famotidine), Prilosec (omeprazole), and ranitidine (Zantac)

The esophageal spasms themselves can be directly treated with medications such as calcium channel blockers and nitrates, meant to relax the muscles of the esophagus.

However, these medications are not always effective. Your physician could also recommend specific types of antidepressants. Even though you may not be experiencing depression, the medications can still help to soothe the pain.

If the esophageal spasms are caused by anxiety, you can treat those symptoms with controlled breathing exercises and relaxation techniques.

Finally, as a last resort, surgery can be used to treat esophageal spasms. The surgeon will cut the muscles on the lower esophagus. Typically, this procedure is only done when all other therapies have proven to not be effective.

However, spasms come in many shapes and variations and some of them can be downright dangerous for the human body.

The esophageal spasm is one of the most mysterious and least known types of spasm. Along with many other medical conditions the human being can suffer from, such as fibromyalgia.

The esophageal spasm is still a mystery to the entire medical world – even if research is being made.

What is the Esophageal Spasm?

Put in very simple terms, the esophageal spasm is the spasm that appears in the esophagus area.

The esophagus is basically the hollow tube that lies in between the throat and the stomach and when the muscles in that area contract, spasms appear.

For most of the people, esophageal spasms occur once in a while (or not at all, for that matter). But there are some cases when people suffer from recurrent esophageal spasms which can cause them chronic pain in the area of the esophagus and which can make it very difficult for them to swallow food or even liquids.

Which are the Symptoms the Esophageal Spasms Will Show?

Esophageal spasms can show several symptoms and they can be diagnosed with relative ease by a specialist. Among the symptoms patients suffering from this condition, one can include the following:

• Pain in the chest that feels like squeezing and that can be very easily mistaken with heart pain
• Feeling as if there is something stuck in your neck
• Regurgitation (returning the food and the liquids swallowed back into the esophagus)
• Difficult swallowing

If you experience these symptoms (especially the chest pain) you should visit a doctor as soon as possible.

The pain may be caused by an esophageal spasm, but even so, recurrent esophageal spasms have to be treated because you can end up unable to feed yourself properly and living with an almost constant pain in your chest area.

Even more than that, if the pain in your chest is not caused by a spasm, it may be a symptom of a heart issue – and that is definitely something you will want specialized treatment for.

Generally speaking, an esophageal spasm can be quite easily diagnosed. Aside from analyzing the symptoms, the doctor may have to order certain tests as well.

Esophageal manometry, for example, is a test doctors use to measure the muscle contractions experienced by the esophagus when you swallow water.

Furthermore, esophageal pH monitoring may be another test your doctor may order to see if you are experiencing acid reflux as well (if the stomach acid comes back into the esophagus). Also, an endoscopy may prove useful as well, since it can help your doctor see on the inside of the esophagus.

Last, but definitely not least, X-ray examinations may be in order too, and in most of the cases you will have to drink a contrast liquid (such as barium).

The X-ray results in the case of someone who is suffering from esophageal spasms will show that the esophagus looks like a corkscrew (reason for which the condition is also known as “corkscrew esophagus”).

The Causes that Lead to Esophageal Spasms

As it was mentioned before, the real causes leading to the development of this condition (even when its occurrence is sporadic) are not very much understood – not even today, after so much research that has been made in the medical world.

The only explanations we have been given up to the moment is related to the connection between muscles and nerves. The esophagus “sends” the food into the stomach and it does so with the help of the muscles surrounding it.

In their own turn, these muscles are controlled by certain nerves and when the nerves send the wrong signals towards the muscles, they will contract involuntarily, thus causing a spasm.

There are two main types of esophageal spasms: the diffuse ones and the “nutcracker” ones. Diffuse esophageal spasms appear occasionally, irregularly and uncontrollably and they will most likely lead to the regurgitation of the food because they make the esophagus unable to push the food further into the stomach.

The nutcracker esophageal spasms, on the other hand, will most likely not cause any kind of regurgitation. However, they can be extremely painful.

In one way, they are very similar to the normal movements the esophagus makes, in the sense that they are coordinated.

However, when the esophagus contracts, it does so with too much power, which makes every move of the esophagus very painful for the patient,and can also make it difficult to feed oneself.

Is There Any Kind of Treatment for Esophageal Spasms?

Since the real cause of this condition is not fully known, no cure can be developed yet.

However, there are certain risk factors you may want to eliminate and there are also certain forms of treatment that can relieve one of the spasms experienced in the esophageal area.

The risk factors that may lead to the development of this medical condition include the following:

• Eating foods that are too cold or too hot
• The gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Heartburn
• Anxiety

As for treatment options, they will most likely include medication to relax the muscles of the esophagus (so that involuntary contractions are avoided as much as possible).

Furthermore, if you suffer from any underlying condition (such as heartburn of the gastroesophageal reflux disease) you may have to acquire treatment for those too.

In the worst case scenarios, when the patients do not respond to acid reflux medication, surgery may be required. In some cases, surgery can be recommended to cut the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus as well – which may be able to release the muscles of the contractions.

Even more than that, the doctor will probably recommend a change one’s lifestyle. Not eating too hot or too cold foods, not eating spicy and highly acidic foods and not eating very late at night are some of the things the specialists will recommend.