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.
These symptoms are known. as the extra-esophageal symptoms of reflux and include manifestations such as asthma, laryngitis, chronic cough, halitosis (bad breath), and even sleep disorders. These symptoms are much more. commonly caused by GERD than had been previously recognized. For instance, up to 30% of.