Overview:
Achalasia is a rare motility disorder of the esophagus (swallowing tube) muscle, causing insufficient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle located between the esophagus and the lower stomach) to open and allow the food to pass into the stomach. So, people with achalasia face trouble swallowing food.
Causes:
The achalasia can happen for several reasons. It can be hard for your doctor to identify a specific cause. This condition may be hereditary, or it may because of an autoimmune condition, which occurs when the body's immune system attacks healthy cells mistakenly in your body. The nerve deterioration in the esophagus often contributes to advanced symptoms of the disease.
Other conditions can cause symptoms …show more content…
Severe pain or discomfort after eating
You could also have regurgitation or reflux. However, these may be symptoms of other gastrointestinal conditions such as acid reflux.
Diagnosis:
Your doctor may suspect you have achalasia if you have difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, especially if it becomes worse over time.
Your doctor may do a esophageal manometry test to diagnose achalasia. This involves placing a tube in the esophagus while swallowed. The tube measures muscle activity and makes sure your esophagus is working properly.
An X-ray or similar imaging test of your esophagus can also be helpful in the diagnosis of achalasia. Other doctors may rather perform an endoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a tube with a tiny camera on the end into the esophagus to look for problems.
Another diagnostic method is a barium swallow. If you have this test, barium is prepared in liquid form. The doctor will then monitor the movement of barium down your esophagus with the help of X-rays.
Treatment:
Treatments for achalasia include:
1. Oral medications,
2. Stretching of the lower esophageal sphincter (dilation),
3. Surgery to cut the sphincter (esophagomyotomy),
4. Injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) into the
Achalasia is a rare motility disorder of the esophagus (swallowing tube) muscle, causing insufficient relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle located between the esophagus and the lower stomach) to open and allow the food to pass into the stomach. So, people with achalasia face trouble swallowing food.
Causes:
The achalasia can happen for several reasons. It can be hard for your doctor to identify a specific cause. This condition may be hereditary, or it may because of an autoimmune condition, which occurs when the body's immune system attacks healthy cells mistakenly in your body. The nerve deterioration in the esophagus often contributes to advanced symptoms of the disease.
Other conditions can cause symptoms …show more content…
Severe pain or discomfort after eating
You could also have regurgitation or reflux. However, these may be symptoms of other gastrointestinal conditions such as acid reflux.
Diagnosis:
Your doctor may suspect you have achalasia if you have difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, especially if it becomes worse over time.
Your doctor may do a esophageal manometry test to diagnose achalasia. This involves placing a tube in the esophagus while swallowed. The tube measures muscle activity and makes sure your esophagus is working properly.
An X-ray or similar imaging test of your esophagus can also be helpful in the diagnosis of achalasia. Other doctors may rather perform an endoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor inserts a tube with a tiny camera on the end into the esophagus to look for problems.
Another diagnostic method is a barium swallow. If you have this test, barium is prepared in liquid form. The doctor will then monitor the movement of barium down your esophagus with the help of X-rays.
Treatment:
Treatments for achalasia include:
1. Oral medications,
2. Stretching of the lower esophageal sphincter (dilation),
3. Surgery to cut the sphincter (esophagomyotomy),
4. Injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) into the