Esophageal spasm is a condition where the muscles in the esophagus contract abnormally, causing chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn. There are several synonyms for esophageal spasm, including diffuse esophageal spasm (DES), nutcracker esophagus (NE), and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (HTLES). DES refers to the spasm of the entire esophagus, NE refers to a high-pressure esophagus with spasms, and HTLES refers to pressure changes that cause spasms. Other less common terms include jackhammer esophagus, distal esophageal spasm, and even "esophagism." Regardless of the term used, treatment for esophageal spasm may include medication, dietary changes, and occasionally surgery to correct underlying issues.