Esophagus Disorders

The esophagus is the muscular tube that carries food and liquids from your mouth to the stomach. You may not be aware of your esophagus until you swallow something too large, too hot, or too cold. You may also notice it when something is wrong. You may feel pain or have trouble swallowing.

The most common problem with the esophagus is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). With GERD, a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus.

Other problems include heartburn, cancer, and eosinophilic esophagitis. Doctors may use various tests to make a diagnosis. These include imaging tests, an upper endoscopy, and a biopsy.

Treatment depends on the problem. Some problems get better with over-the-counter medicines or changes in diet. Others may need prescription medicines or surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Start Here

• Overview of the Esophagus (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Barium Swallow (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Esophageal pH Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• Understanding Esophageal Manometry (American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy) Also in Spanish
• Upper GI Endoscopy (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Upper GI Series (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
• X-Ray Exam: Neck (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• Achalasia - series (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• Globus (International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders)

Specifics

• Achalasia and Esophageal Motility Disorders (Society of Thoracic Surgeons) Also in Spanish
• Barrett's Esophagus (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Bile Reflux (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Esophageal Spasms (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Also in Spanish
• Esophageal Varices (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• GERD: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)
• Triple A syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Barrett Esophagus (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Esophageal Achalasia (National Institutes of Health)
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Esophageal Diseases (National Institutes of Health)