What Is It?
Achalasia is an uncommon disorder of the esophagus. The disorder makes it difficult for food to pass from the esophagus into the stomach.
The esophagus is a muscular tube. It carries food from the mouth to the stomach.
Normally, coordinated contractions of smooth muscle move food through the esophagus. These contractions are called peristaltic waves.
Between the esophagus and stomach is a muscle called the esophageal sphincter (LES). The sphincter surrounds the esophagus. It keeps the esophagus closed. This prevents food and acid from splashing back up into the esophagus from the stomach.
When you swallow, this sphincter relaxes. It opens to allow food to pass into the stomach. At the same time, nerves coordinate the contractions of the esophagus. This moves food into the stomach when the sphincter opens.
In achalasia, the nerve cells in the lower two-thirds of the esophagus and the sphincter are abnormal. This causes uncoordinated or weak peristaltic waves. It also causes the sphincter to remain closed.
The cause of achalasia is unknown. It does not run in families.
Most people with achalasia develop symptoms between the ages of 25 and 60.
Symptoms
The symptoms of achalasia come on gradually. They may take years to progress.
Symptoms can include:
-
Difficulty swallowing solid food. Swallowing liquids is not affected in the early stages.
-
Regurgitation or vomiting of undigested food
-
Chest pain, discomfort, or fullness under the breastbone, especially following meals
-
Difficulty belching
-
Difficulty swallowing solids and liquids (late in the illness)
-
Weight loss (late in the illness)
Diagnosis
Tests will be done to diagnose achalasia. These tests will also look for other conditions that could be causing the symptoms.
Tests include:
The study is generally painless. Some people with achalasia experience discomfort, similar to what they feel when swallowing foods or liquids.
Endoscopy is an outpatient procedure. You will be sedated as the doctor passes a flexible tube down your esophagus. He or she will look at the lining of the esophagus and stomach. A piece of tissue (biopsy) may be taken to be examined under a microscope.
Balloon dilation, a treatment for achalasia, can be done during endoscopy.
Expected Duration
Achalasia generally worsens unless treated.
Even after successful treatment, symptoms may still return five to 10 years later. They may require repeat treatments.
Prevention
Since the cause of achalasia is unknown, there is no way to prevent it.
Treatment
The choice of treatment method will depend on:
Choices include:
He or she then inflates a balloon at the esophageal sphincter. The muscle fibers are stretched. This relieves the pressure that blocks food from passing easily into the stomach.
Most patients experience relief from their symptoms for several years following dilation. The procedure may have to be repeated. Other treatments also may be needed.
The chief risk of balloon dilation is a tear in the esophagus, which occurs in a small number of patients. This requires emergency surgery.
Myotomy can be done laparoscopically. This means telescopic equipment is inserted through small incisions in the abdomen. Most people have good to excellent results.
Botulinum (Botox) is expensive, however. And its effects are relatively short-lived.
-
Other medications. Drugs can be taken to reduce pressure at the esophageal sphincter. They include nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia) and nitrates (isosorbide or nitroglycerin). To be most effective, a tablet is dissolved under the tongue before meals.
Improvements with these medications are quite variable. They are seldom used as primary therapy today.
When to Call a Professional
You should call your doctor for an urgent evaluation if you:
Make an appointment to see your doctor for an evaluation if you experience:
Prognosis
There is no known cure for achalasia. But several treatments can provide good to excellent relief from symptoms for a number of years. When treatment needs to be repeated, it can be as successful as initial treatment.
Additional Info
American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)
11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
Leawood, KS 66211-2672
Phone: 913-906-6000
Toll-Free: 1-800-274-2237
http://www.familydoctor.org/
American College of Gastroenterology (ACG)
4900 B South, 31st St.
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 703-820-7400
Fax: 703-931-4520
http://www.acg.gi.org/
American College of Physicians/American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP/ASIM)
190 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572
Phone: 215-351-2600, ext. 2600
Toll-Free: 1-800-523-1546
http://www.acponline.org/
American Gastroenterological Association
7910 Woodmont Ave.
Seventh Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-654-2055
Fax: 301-652-3890
http://www.gastro.org/
Society of Thoracic Surgeons
633 N. Saint Clair St.
Suite 2320
Chicago, IL 60611-3658
Phone: 312-202-5800
Fax: 312-202-5801
http://www.sts.org/
esophagus,stomach,esophageal,sphincter,endoscopy,barium,surgery,toxin,chest pain,muscle,pneumatic,thoracic,weight loss
Send this page to a friend