Esophogeal Spasms?

  I've had a spasm or fluttering in my chest for more than a year now.
  I've had a stress test, 24-hour holter monitor, and 30-day
  event monitor to rule out heart problems. Unfortunately,
  the spasm didn't occur during these tests or were too quick
  to catch. My cardiologist was not concerned.
  I've also had an endoscopy which revealed a small
  hiatal hernia, and chronic inflammation of the esophogus.
  The spasms have recently become much worse and happen
  during exercise. I'm scheduled to have a manometry test
  next week.  Will this test tell me if I have esophogeal spasms?
  What exactly do these spasms feel like?
  This problem is preventing me from leading a normal life.

[HFHSM.D.-rf]

_

Dear Janice,
Esophageal spasm usually manifests as chest pain that can simulate a heart attack.  Thepain os esophageal spasm
is not related to exertion.  Dronking /eating thermally hot or cold food can sometimes precipitate the problem.
To diagnose esophageal spsam, it is necessary to do an esophageal motility study looking for simultaneous high pressure esophageal contractions.

This information is presented for educational purposes.  ASk specific questions to your personal physician.
HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: esophageal spasm
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