Title: Diffuse esophageal spasm - Wikipedia
Headings: Diffuse esophageal spasm
Diffuse esophageal spasm
Contents
Signs and symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Procedures
Epidemiology
See also
References
External links

Content: Diffuse esophageal spasm - Wikipedia
Diffuse esophageal spasm
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Medical condition
Diffuse esophageal spasm
Other names
Distal esophageal spasm

Specialty
Gastroenterology
Frequency
1 per 100,000 people per year
Diffuse esophageal spasm ( DES ), also known as distal esophageal spasm, is a condition characterized by uncoordinated contractions of the esophagus, which may cause difficulty swallowing ( dysphagia) or regurgitation. In some cases, it may cause symptoms such as chest pain, similar to heart disease. In many cases, the cause of DES remains unknown. Certain abnormalities on x-ray imaging are commonly observed in DES, such as a "corkscrew esophagus" or "rosary bead esophagus", although these findings are not unique to this condition. Specialized testing called manometry can be performed to evaluate the motor function of the esophagus, which can help identify abnormal patterns of muscle contraction within the esophagus that are suggestive of DES. The treatment of DES consists primarily of medications, such as acid suppressing agents (like proton-pump inhibitors ), calcium channel blockers, hyoscine butylbromide, or nitrates. In only extremely rare cases, surgery may be considered. People with DES have higher incidences of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neuromuscular diseases, and degenerative neurological disorders. Contents
1 Signs and symptoms
2 Causes
3 Diagnosis
4 Treatment
4.1 Procedures
5 Epidemiology
6 See also
7 References
8 External links
Signs and symptoms
DES manifests as intermittent difficulty swallowing solid foods and liquids (dysphagia), and atypical chest pain. The chest pain may appear similar to cardiac chest pain (angina pectoris), so investigating the possible existence of heart disease is often indicated.