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What are the Symptoms of a Hole in the Esophagus?

Marco Sumayao
Marco Sumayao

The most immediate symptoms of a hole in the esophagus are chest and throat pains and difficulty swallowing and breathing. The struggle to breathe might also lead to low blood pressure due to lack of oxygen. As a result of the difficulty, the heart might overwork itself to compensate for the inefficiency, leading to increased heart rates. Discomforting signs, like air bubbles underneath the skin, might arise from the flow of air through the hole. If left unchecked, the hole might lead to more serious medical conditions, such as mediastinitis.

A hole in the esophagus, also referred to as esophageal perforation, occurs through a variety of causes. The most common cause is direct injury during a surgical procedure. For instance, an instrument might slip during an operation on the throat, tearing a hole in the esophagus.

Throat pain is an immediate symptom of a hole in the esophagus.
Throat pain is an immediate symptom of a hole in the esophagus.

Another common cause of esophageal perforation is gatrsoesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Individuals with GERD experience chronic reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. This damages the mucosal lining of the throat, eventually burning through the esophageal wall itself. Paired with such a hole, GERD can lead to severe medical issues.

Less common causes of a hole in the esophagus include violent vomiting or the introduction of a foreign object into the esophagus. Esophageal tumors might also lead to esophageal perforation. In rare cases, external trauma might be powerful enough to cause internal damage in the throat, puncturing the esophagus.

Chest pain is an immediate sign of a hole in the esophagus.
Chest pain is an immediate sign of a hole in the esophagus.

Patients with a hole in the esophagus will often experience neck pain, generally around the site of perforation. The affected area might feel stiff or might contain a lump formed from an air bubble. As the esophagus is a major passageway for both food and air, individuals with a hole might experience difficulty in swallowing and in eating. If the perforation leaks food or air into the chest area, the patient might also experience significant chest pain.

The hollow tube known as the esophagus runs from the stomach to the throat.
The hollow tube known as the esophagus runs from the stomach to the throat.

Introduction of foreign matter into the chest can lead to mediastinitis, an infection of the surrounding area of the chest. If this occurs, the patient might develop additional symptoms, such as fever and the coughing up of blood. The infection will also cause the area to swell, making it even more difficult for the patient to breathe. Complications arising from the infection might eventually lead to death. Since a hole in the esophagus is a major cause of mediastinitis, it is imperative that the condition is treated immediately.

Discussion Comments

anon994356

I have a cough and a tightening in my throat chest and a horrible salty/sour taste in my mouth. I have a hiatal hernia, is it this. Although my doc has told me I have a chest infection and I'm on antibiotics with no success yet!

anon291935

My mum had an esophagus tear during hip surgery. I don't know what is going to happen next. Can anyone please tell me if it is going to heal or not? Is there any other way to repair it?

BoniJ

Quite a number of people today suffer from GERD. Acid from the stomach erupts into the esophagus and irritates the tube. This wearing away of the surface of the esophagus can sometimes lead to a hole in the tube. Then serious symptoms begin to happen like struggling to breathe and swallow.

Medication, if used consistently, can be a help.

live2shop

I have never heard of anyone who had a hole in their esophagus. You do hear that one of the risks of surgery is being injured, but I never heard about a slip of the knife. I wonder why this injury wouldn't be noticed and taken care of right away during the surgery.

Another cause of a perforation in the esophagus can happen if a foreign object is swallowed. That made me think of the times in the middle ages when an invader came to conquer a rich city. People, who had valuable jewels would swallow them to prevent the conquerors from stealing them. I'll bet a low of those people ended up with tears and holes in their esophageal tubes.

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    • Throat pain is an immediate symptom of a hole in the esophagus.
      By: Adam Gregor
      Throat pain is an immediate symptom of a hole in the esophagus.
    • Chest pain is an immediate sign of a hole in the esophagus.
      By: patpitchaya
      Chest pain is an immediate sign of a hole in the esophagus.
    • The hollow tube known as the esophagus runs from the stomach to the throat.
      By: snapgalleria
      The hollow tube known as the esophagus runs from the stomach to the throat.
    • A surgical error can cause a hole in the esophagus.
      By: derege
      A surgical error can cause a hole in the esophagus.
    • GERD may cause perforation of the esophagus.
      By: bilderzwerg
      GERD may cause perforation of the esophagus.
    • Difficulties swallowing and breathing are symptoms of a hole in the esophagus.
      By: Aleksandar Todorovic
      Difficulties swallowing and breathing are symptoms of a hole in the esophagus.