What is nutcracker oesophagus?
I’m sorry to hear that you have a nutcracker oesophagus. It is an unpleasant condition, but not dangerous. It means that your throat (oesophagus) has a tendency to go into spasms in a way that causes severe chest pain, not unlike cardiac pain. It can be difficult to diagnose and is usually confirmed by a gastroenterologist (after cardiac investigations have proved normal) with clinical tests such as an endoscopy and X-rays. Generally speaking the pain and spasms responds to medication like GTN or Nifedipine (the same as used for angina). Reducing any tendency for stomach acid to splash up into the throat might also help and there are acid reducing medicines specifically designed for this.
I’m sorry to hear that you have a nutcracker oesophagus. It is an unpleasant condition, but not dangerous. It means that your throat (oesophagus) has a tendency to go into spasms in a way that causes severe chest pain, not unlike cardiac pain. It can be difficult to diagnose and is usually confirmed by a gastroenterologist (after cardiac investigations have proved normal) with clinical tests such as an endoscopy and X-rays. Generally speaking the pain and spasms responds to medication like Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) or Nifedipine (the same as used for angina). Reducing any tendency for stomach acid to splash up into the throat might also help and there are acid reducing medicines specifically designed for this.
