Achalasia is a relatively rare disorder of the smooth muscle of the esophagus. The esophagus is a muscular tube that carries food and liquids from the mouth to the stomach. Achalasia makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into the stomach from the esophagus.
There is a muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) where the esophagus meets the stomach. When not swallowing, the LES remains closed to keep food, liquid, and stomach acid from moving back into the esophageal tube. When swallowing, nerve signals tell muscles to contract to push food down the esophagus (an action called peristalsis) and allow the LES to open.
In people with achalasia, the nerve cells in the lower esophageal tube and the LES do not work correctly. This results in:
While achalasia is associated with the loss of nerve cells in the esophagus, the cause of this process is unknown.
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Because the exact cause of achalasia is unknown, risk factors are unknown.
Symptoms of achalasia can occur between the ages of 25 and 60. Symptoms rarely develop in children. Symptoms tend to be mild at first, and then grow worse over months or years. The main symptom is difficulty swallowing solids and, as the disorder progresses, liquids. As many as 70% to 97% of patients with achalasia have difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids.
Other symptoms may include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history and perform a physical exam. Tests may include:
The goal of treatment is to make it easier for the LES to open. Treatment may include:
This treatment stretches the LES muscle. A thin tube is inserted into the throat. At the end of this tube is an uninflated balloon. Once the tube reaches the point of the LES muscle, the balloon is inflated. Pneumatic dilation has a high success rate. It is the primary treatment in most patients, although the procedure may need to be repeated.
Tiny amounts of botulinum toxin, type A, are injected into the LES. Botulinum causes the LES to relax, which makes it easier to open. Since the effect is temporary, repeat injections are almost always needed, but the response decreases with successive injections.
Small incisions are made in the LES to help it to relax. This is called Heller myotomy surgery. This can usually be performed via laparoscopy, making it a relatively minor surgical procedure. Because the LES is partially cut, about 15% of patients experience gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (ie, acid reflux) after this surgery.
In mild cases, certain medications may help relieve symptoms temporarily. Drugs that reduce LES pressure include:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Family Physicians
http://www.aafp.org
American College of Gastroenterology
http://www.acg.gi.org
American Gastroenterological Association
http://www.gastro.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
The Canadian Association of Gastroenterology (CAG)
http://www.cag-acg.org/default.aspx
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
American Gastroenterological Association website. Available at: http://www.gastro.org/ . Accessed October 7, 2005.
Beers MH. The Merck Manual of Medical Information . 2nd ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories; 2003.
Health encyclopedia: achalasia. Medical University of South Carolina website. Available at: http://www.muschealth.com/ . Accessed October 7, 2005.
Medical encyclopedia: achalasia. Medline Plus website. Available at: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000267.htm . Accessed October 7, 2005.
Vaezi MF, Richter, JE. Diagnosis and management of achalasia. Am J Gastro. 1999;94:3406-3412.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Daus Mahnke, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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