Chest pain can have many causes, but it should never be taken lightly. Although some types of chest pain are generalized, others can occur in conjunction with a specific task, such as swallowing. Several different muscles and other parts of the throat and chest work together to produce the swallowing effect, and interruption of any one of these processes can cause pain. Difficulties around the esophagus in particular can ease chest pain when swallowing.
The esophagus is the gateway from the throat to the stomach. As with any part of the body, this long tube is subject to any type of infection, strain, or injury. Sometimes the esophagus may simply spasm, causing chest pain near the abdominal area. While experts have not determined what exactly causes these spasms, foods or drinks of an extremely hot or cold nature appear to be the culprit in many cases. Other similar disorders caused by abnormal movement of the muscles of the esophagus include achalasia and nutcracker esophagus.
Other areas of the chest, particularly the nerves and muscles, can become inflamed and cause chest pain when swallowing. For example, in a condition called costochondritis, the joints where the ribs meet the breastbone become tender. Any movement in this area, including movement induced by swallowing, will likely cause sternum pain. Pinched nerves can cause similar problems. In addition to swallowing, other movements such as breathing can cause pain.
Feeding-related chest pain with swallowing is often an indicator of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition occurs when stomach acid makes its way into the esophagus. Intake of food or drink will aggravate this process due to increased acid production. The pain can be mistaken for heartburn, and if left untreated, it will recur. This type of pain is often associated with burning in the middle of the chest, around the breastbone. Isolated episodes of heartburn can cause similar disturbances.
Chronic GERD can create esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus. Other causes of this particular ailment range from viral infection to irritation caused by medical tubes being inserted into the throat. If heartburn medications don't relieve chest pain, an esophageal condition may be the cause. Although there are exceptions to any condition, chest pain related solely to swallowing does not usually indicate a heart problem.
Chest pain when swallowing can also be found after the onset of a hiatal hernia. Unlike GERD or esophagitis, this condition results from a malfunction of the stomach rather than the esophagus. The pain in this case occurs when the stomach pushes into the chest past the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the throat from the lower digestive system. Eating and swallowing will likely exacerbate the pain of a hiatal hernia.
Treatments vary depending on the specific cause of the chest pain. Pharmaceutical or surgical intervention may be necessary in some cases, while other conditions may be relieved over time or with a simple change in diet. However, any occurrence of blood, breathing difficulties, or other abnormal symptoms concurrent with chest pain should require an immediate visit to a medical professional.