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.
Usually they occur without warning. Spasms are uncontrolled contractions of the esophagus muscles that normally move food from the mouth down into the stomach. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, acid from the stomach that comes up into the esophagus, can cause the spasm. There are two types of spasms: Diffuse Esophageal Spasm - where the esophageal muscles contract in an uncoordinated way, which can cause food to get stuck in the esophagus. Nutcracker Esophagus - where the muscles of the esophagus contract too hard when swallowing, which can be very painful.