Achalasia
WikiMD is the world's largest encyclopedia on nutrition, weight loss, wellness and obesity with a focus on preventing insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and weight gain.
Health encyclopedia
1-9 – A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach is the esophagus also called the food pipe. Achalasia is a condition that makes it harder for the esophagus to move food into the stomach.
Prevalence of Achalasia
Achalasia is a rare disease with an annual incidence of approximately 1/100,000 and a prevalence rate of 1/10,000. The disease can occur at any age, with a similar rate in men and women, but is usually diagnosed between 25 and 60 years.
Causes of Achalasia
There is a muscular ring at the point where the esophagus and stomach meet. It is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Normally, this muscle relaxes when you swallow to allow food to pass into the stomach. In people with achalasia, it does not relax as well. In addition, the normal muscle activity of the esophsagus (peristalsis) is reduced. Achalasia is caused by damage to the nerves of the esophagus.
Symptoms of Achalasis of the Esophagus
Symptoms of Achalasia include:
- Backflow (regurgitation) of food
- Chest pain, which may increase after eating, or may be felt as pain in the back, neck, and arms
- Cough
- Difficulty swallowing liquids and solids
- Heartburn
- Unintentional weight loss
Exams and Tests for Achalasia
Physical exam may show signs of anemia or malnutrition.
Tests for Achalasia include:
- Manometry, a test to measure if your esophagus is working properly.
- EGD or upper endoscopy, a test to examine the lining of the stomach and esophagus. It uses a flexible tube and camera.
- Upper GI x-ray.
Diagnosis of Achalasia
The diagnosis is based on history of the disease, radiography (barium esophagogram), and esophageal motility testing (esophageal manometry). Endoscopic examination is important to rule out malignancy as the cause of achalasia.
Treatment of Achalasia
The goal of treatment is to reduce the pressure at the sphincter muscle and allow food and liquids to pass easily into the stomach. Therapy may involve:
- Injection with botulinum toxin (Botox) -- This may help relax the sphincter muscles. However, the benefit wears off within a few weeks or months.
Medicines, such as long-acting nitrates or calcium channel blockers -- These drugs can be used to relax the lower esophagus sphincter. But there is rarely a long-term solution to treat achalasia.
- Surgery (called a myotomy) -- In this procedure, the lower sphincter muscle is cut.
- Widening (dilation) of the esophagus -- This is done during EGD by stretching the LES with a balloon dilator.
Prognosis of Achalasia
The outcomes of surgery and non-surgical treatments are similar. More than one treatment is sometimes necessary.
Possible Complications of Achalasia
Complications may include:
- Backflow (regurgitation) of acid or food from the stomach into the esophagus (reflux)
- Breathing food contents into the lungs (aspiration), which can cause pneumonia
- Tearing (perforation) of the esophagus
Articles on Achalasia
- UpToDate on Achalasia
- Medline Plus Achalasia
- Mayo Clinic Achalasia
- Read Wikipedia article on Achalasia
This article is a stub. YOU can help Wikimd by expanding it!
|
WikiMD Resources for Achalasia |
|
Articles |
|---|
|
Most recent articles on Achalasia |
|
Media Achalasia |
|
Evidence Based Medicine |
|
Clinical Trials |
|
Ongoing Trials on Achalasia at Clinical Trials.gov Clinical Trials on Achalasia at Google
|
|
Books and news |
|
|
|
Commentary Achalasia |
|
Patient Resources / Community |
|
Patient resources on Achalasia Discussion groups on Achalasia
|
|
Other resources |
|
|
|
Social Media |
|
      
|
|
W8MD Weight Loss, Sleep & MedSpa |
|
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U |V | W | X | Y | Z |
Ad. Tired of being overweight? W8MD's insurance weight loss* program can HELP | Advertise on WikiMD |
Disclaimer: The entire contents of WIKIMD.ORG are for informational purposes only and do not render medical advice or professional services. If you have a medical emergency, you should CALL 911 immediately! Given the nature of the wiki, the information provided may not be accurate and or incorrect. Use the information on this wiki at your own risk! See full Disclaimer. * Individual results may vary.
