Achalasia (patient information)

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What is Achalasia?

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.

What are the symptoms of Achalasia?

• Backflow (regurgitation) of food
• Chest pain, which may increase after eating or may radiate to the back, neck, and arms
• Cough
• Difficulty swallowing liquids and solids
• Heartburn
• Unintentional weight loss

What are the causes of Achalasia?

The main problem in achalasia is a failure of the a muscular ring where the esophagus and stomach come together (lower esophageal sphincter) to relax during swallowing.

Another part of the disorder is a lack of nerve stimulation to the muscles of the esophagus. Causes include:

• Cancers
• Damage to the nerves of the esophagus
• Infection with a parasite
• Inherited factors

As a result, the wave-like contractions of smooth muscles that normally force food through the esophagus and other parts of the digestive tract do not work as well. (These contractions are called peristalsis.)

Achalasia is a rare disorder. It may occur at any age, but is most common in middle-aged or older adults.

Where to find medical care for Achalasia

Directions to Hospitals Treating Achalasia

Sources

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000267.htm