Nutcracker esophagus

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Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Nutcracker esophagus
Synonyms	Jackhammer esophagus
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Chest pain, dysphagia
Complications	Esophageal spasm, gastroesophageal reflux disease
Onset	Typically in adults
Duration	Variable
Types	N/A
Causes	Unknown, possibly related to esophageal motility disorder
Risks	Anxiety, stress
Diagnosis	Esophageal manometry, barium swallow
Differential diagnosis	Diffuse esophageal spasm, achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Calcium channel blockers, nitrates, botulinum toxin
Medication	Diltiazem, nifedipine
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Nutcracker esophagus

Nutcracker esophagus

Nutcracker esophagus is a condition of the esophagus characterized by powerful esophageal contractions. This condition is named for the nutcracker, a tool used to crack nuts, because the contractions can be as strong as the pressure one would use to crack a nut.

Symptoms

The main symptom of nutcracker esophagus is dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing. Other symptoms can include chest pain, heartburn, and regurgitation. These symptoms can be similar to those of other esophageal disorders, such as achalasia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), making diagnosis challenging.

Causes

The exact cause of nutcracker esophagus is unknown. However, it is thought to be related to abnormal function of the nervous system that controls esophageal muscle contractions. Some researchers believe that it may be a form of visceral hypersensitivity, in which the esophagus becomes overly sensitive to stimuli.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of nutcracker esophagus is typically made through esophageal manometry, a test that measures the pressure and coordination of esophageal contractions. Other tests, such as endoscopy and barium swallow, may also be used to rule out other conditions.

Treatment

Treatment for nutcracker esophagus is aimed at reducing symptoms and may include medications to relax the esophageal muscles, such as calcium channel blockers and nitrates. In severe cases, surgery may be considered.

See also

• Esophagus
• Esophageal motility disorder
• Dysphagia
• Chest pain
• Heartburn
• Regurgitation
• Achalasia
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Visceral hypersensitivity
• Esophageal manometry
• Endoscopy
• Barium swallow
• Calcium channel blockers
• Nitrates

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