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Esophageal spasm - Treatment

Alternative Names

Diffuse esophageal spasm; Spasm of the esophagus

Treatment:

Nitroglycerin given under the tongue (sublingual) may be effective in an acute episode. Long-acting nitroglycerin and calcium channel blockers are also used to treat esophageal spasms. Long-term (chronic) cases are sometimes treated with low-dose antidepressants such as nortriptyline to reduce symptoms.

Rarely, severe cases need surgery.

Expectations (prognosis):

An esophageal spasm may come and go (intermittent) or last for a long time (chronic). Medicine can help relieve symptoms.

Complications:

The condition may not respond to treatment.

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of esophageal spasm that don't go away.

Digestive system

Throat anatomy

Reviewed last on: 8/22/2008
Christian Stone, MD, Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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