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: Tumors, whether inside or alongside the esophagus, can also interfere with swallowing. Abnormalities involving neighboring structures, such as the enlargement of the thyroid and thymus glands, can also adversely impact the normal passage of food and fluids through the esophagus. Inflammatory diseases or cancers affecting the gallbladder, pancreas or stomach may also result in esophagus symptoms. Other causes of esophagus symptoms include herpes and Candida infections. In rare cases, esophagus symptoms can be a sign of a cardiovascular problem such as a heart attack or angina (chest pain due to the heart not getting enough oxygen). 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: