The thyroid gland is a small butterfly-shaped gland in the neck, just in front of the windpipe (trachea). One of its main functions is to produce hormones that help regulate the body's metabolism (the process that turns food into energy). These hormones are called triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Many of the body's functions slow down when the thyroid doesn't produce enough of these hormones.
Esophageal spasm is a disorder of the rhythmic waves of muscular contractions (peristalsis) of the esophagus. The cause of this disorder is not known. Symptoms include chest pain and difficulty swallowing.
An esophageal stricture develops when the esophagus becomes abnormally narrow. Benign strictures often develop due to overgrowth of fibrous tissue and collagen deposits, a reaction to ulcers or chronic inflammation of the esophagus. Strictures may also develop after radiation treatment for cancer or surgery to treat esophageal cancer or Barrettâs esophagus. Strictures can be simple â symmetric with a diameter of more than 12mm or complex â asymmetric with a diameter less than 12mm. What are the Symptoms of Esophageal Strictures? Common signs and symptoms of esophageal strictures include: