How are esophageal spasms diagnosed?

How are esophageal spasms diagnosed?

Esophageal spasms can be tricky to diagnose. Your healthcare provider will first physically examine you to evaluate your symptoms. If you have chest pain, your provider may order tests, such as electrocardiogram (EKG), to rule out heart disease.

Other tests that help diagnose esophageal spasms include:

• Barium swallow: This test requires you to swallow a solution containing barium. X-rays are taken while the barium moves down your esophagus. If a stricture (narrowing) is present, the barium may become stuck or slows down.
• Endoscopy: In this test, if your provider suspects that a structural abnormality is present, a narrow tube called an endoscope is inserted into your esophagus. The endoscope has a light and tiny camera at one end so your provider can view the inside of your esophagus.
• Esophageal manometry: If no structural abnormality is detected, this test is performed to measure pressure waves inside the esophagus. The presence of unusually large numbers of simultaneous contractions in the lower esophagus is the major indicator of spasms.