Esophageal Problems and Chest Pain

The esophagus is a muscular tube that moves the food from the back of throat to stomach (see picture right). When the esophagus doesn’t work normally, esophageal problems arise, such as esophageal spasms, barrett esophagus, achalasia, etc.

Links between esophageal problems and chest pain

Some esophageal problems can lead to the symptom of chest pain, including:

• Esophageal hernia
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Esophageal spasms
• Esophageal cancer

However, cardiac problems can also cause chest pain, which is the most life-threatening. And it is often difficult to distinguish between cardiac and esophageal causes of chest pain based upon the symptom itself. So talk to your health care provider at once if chest pain occurs.

Keywords: chest pain and esophageal problems