Esophageal achalasia
Esophageal Achalasia
Esophageal achalasia (pronounced: e-sof-uh-geel a-ka-lay-zha) is a rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into your stomach.
Etymology
The term "achalasia" originates from the Greek words "a" meaning "no" and "chalasis" meaning "relaxation". This refers to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow food to pass into the stomach.
Definition
Esophageal achalasia, also known as Achalasia, is a disorder of the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus), which affects the ability of the esophagus to move food toward the stomach.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of esophageal achalasia include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), regurgitation of undigested food, chest pain, weight loss, and heartburn (pyrosis).
Causes
The exact cause of esophageal achalasia is unknown. However, it may be due to the loss of nerve cells in the esophageal wall. Some researchers believe that a viral infection may cause the body's immune system to damage these nerves.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of esophageal achalasia may involve a barium swallow radiograph, endoscopy, and esophageal manometry.
Treatment
Treatment options for esophageal achalasia include oral medications, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, balloon dilation, and surgery (Heller myotomy).
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Esophageal achalasia
- Wikipedia's article - Esophageal achalasia
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