Esophageal spasm is a condition that affects the way the muscles in your esophagus, or food pipe, work. This can cause pain and difficulty swallowing. It can also lead to other symptoms like chest pain, heartburn, and regurgitation.
Symptoms of esophageal spasm can include difficulty swallowing, chest pain that is worse when eating, heartburn, and regurgitation of food. The chest pain can be sharp and sudden or burning and dull. It can also feel like a squeezing sensation.
Diet and lifestyle can play a role in esophageal spasm. Eating large meals, eating too quickly, eating certain foods, and drinking alcohol can all trigger symptoms. Stress and anxiety can also trigger symptoms.
Making dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of esophageal spasm. Eating smaller meals and eating more slowly can help reduce the risk of triggering symptoms. Avoiding certain foods like spicy foods, acidic foods, and fatty foods can also help. Limiting alcohol consumption and reducing stress and anxiety can also help reduce symptoms.
Esophageal spasm is not a common condition and is estimated to affect only about 1% of the population. However, the symptoms can be very uncomfortable and can interfere with daily activities. Making dietary and lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of esophageal spasm and make it easier to manage.
Fasting can help reduce the symptoms of esophageal spasm by reducing the amount of food and drink that is passing through the esophagus. This can reduce the amount of pressure on the esophageal muscles, which can reduce the spasms. Additionally, fasting can help reduce the amount of acid in the stomach, which can reduce the irritation of the esophageal lining and help reduce the spasms.