Achalasia overview
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Achalasia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Achalasia overview On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Achalasia overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder.[1] In this disorder, the smooth muscle layer of the esophagus has impaired peristalsis (muscular ability to move food down the esophagus), and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) fails to relax properly in response to swallowing.[2] The most common form is primary achalasia, which has no known underlying cause. However, a small proportion occurs as a secondary result of other conditions, such as esophageal cancer or (in South America) Chagas disease.
As a summary:
- The term achalasia is Greek for ‘does not relax’.
- During normal swallowing, a peristaltic wave propels food down the esophagus and initiates relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
- In achalasia, there is a loss of distal esophageal peristalsis and the LES fails to relax.
- Thankfully, achalasia is a rare disease, with an incidence of ~ 1 case per 100,000. Men and women are equally affected. Onset can be at any age, however it is rare to be seen before adolescence, and is most commonly seen in people between 25 and 60 years old.