Title: Esophagus Symptoms - Types, Causes, Complications
Headings: Esophagus Symptoms
Esophagus Symptoms
What are the signs of esophagus problems?
What other symptoms might occur with esophagus symptoms?
Gastrointestinal symptoms that may occur along with esophagus symptoms
Other symptoms that may occur along with esophagus symptoms
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
What causes esophagus symptoms?
Common causes of esophagus symptoms
Other causes of esophagus symptoms
Causes of swallowing difficulty
Neurological and muscular causes of swallowing difficulty
Serious or life-threatening causes of esophagus symptoms
Questions for diagnosing the cause of esophagus symptoms
What are the potential complications of esophagus symptoms?
About The Author
Healthgrades Editorial Staff
Last Updated: January 6, 2021

Content: Common causes of esophagus symptoms
Esophagus symptoms can have common causes including: Alcohol abuse
Candidia infection
Dyspepsia ( indigestion)
Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD ), in which acidic stomach contents flow back into the esophagus
Heartburn
Herpesvirus infection
Obesity
Pregnancy
Repeated vomiting
Smoking
Swallowing pills, such as vitamin C, doxycycline, tetracycline, or alendronate ( Fosamax ), without enough water
Other causes of esophagus symptoms
Other possible causes of esophagus symptoms include: Barrett’s esophagus (cellular changes in the esophagus that may lead to esophageal cancer)
Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus)
Hiatal hernia (protrusion of the stomach into the chest, through a hole in the diaphragm)
Causes of swallowing difficulty
Swallowing difficulty is another esophagus symptom. It can be caused by esophageal conditions including: Achalasia (disorder of the esophagus that impairs its ability to propel food down to the stomach)
Esophageal narrowing due to compression caused by tumor or enlarged nearby structures
Esophageal narrowing caused by radiation, scarring, chemicals or medications
Esophageal spasms
Nutcracker esophagus (disorder characterized by abnormal contractions of the muscles of the esophagus)
Schatzki’s ring (abnormal ring of tissue in the lower esophagus)
Neurological and muscular causes of swallowing difficulty
Swallowing difficulty can also be caused by neurological and muscular conditions including: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, a severe neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness and disability)
Muscular dystrophy (inherited disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness and loss of muscle tissue)
Multiple sclerosis (disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, causing weakness, coordination and balance difficulties, and other problems)
Parkinson’s disease (brain disorder that impairs movement and coordination)
Polymyositis (widespread inflammation and weakness of the muscles)
Scleroderma ( connective tissue disorder characterized by thickening and stiffening of the skin)
Stroke
Serious or life-threatening causes of esophagus symptoms
In some cases, esophagus symptoms may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include: Angina (chest pain due to the heart not receiving enough oxygen)
Bleeding from esophageal varices, tumor, or radiation injury
Esophageal cancer
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Perforated esophagus
Stroke
Questions for diagnosing the cause of esophagus symptoms
To diagnose your condition, your doctor or licensed health care practitioner will ask you several questions related to your esophagus symptoms including: When did you first notice your esophagus symptoms? When do you feel esophagus symptoms?