4. Heartburn-like Sensation: The Misleading Inferno Within
Many people have felt the unsettling sensation of heartburn at least once in their life. For those with nutcracker esophagus, this burning feeling isn’t just an occasional discomfort; it’s a persistent and recurring adversary. The sensation originates from the stomach, making its fiery journey up the esophagus, causing discomfort and concern.
But it’s not only about the fiery journey. Along with the burn, there’s often a sour or bitter taste at the back of the throat, a lingering reminder of the ordeal. This taste arises from the regurgitation of acidic stomach juices. Over time, these repeated episodes can cause significant distress and can even lead to dental problems due to the persistent exposure to acid.
What adds to the challenge of nutcracker esophagus is the deceptive nature of this symptom. It closely mimics gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), often leading to misdiagnosis.(4)
