Esophageal Spasm

Alternate Names : Diffuse Esophageal Spasm, DES, Spasm of the Esophagus

How is the condition diagnosed?

Esophageal spasm can be diagnosed by a test called manometry. In this test, a special tube is inserted down the esophagus. The tube measures the muscle activity of the esophagus. Abnormal contractions mixed with normal movement suppports the diagnosis.

A person with a hypersensitive esophagus may be diagnosed by inflating a long balloon in the person's esophagus. If this causes the same symptoms, preventive methods may work.