Achalasia

WHAT IS ACHALASIA

• A rare disease
• lower esophageal sphincter does not relax properly
• is a disorder of the esophagus
• affects the ability of the esophagus to move food into the stomach.
• Also known as Esophageal achalasia

SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA

• Difficulty swallowing
• Backflow (regurgitation) of food
• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Difficulty swallowing liquids and solids

Untitled Slide

• Heartburn
• Unintentional weight loss

TREATMENT

TREATMENT

• Injection with botulinum toxin (Botox)
• Surgery (called an esophagomyotomy)
• Widening (dilation) of the esophagus
• Medications

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Backflow (regurgitation) of acid or food from the stomach into the esophagus
• Breathing food contents into the lungs (aspiration), which can cause pneumonia
• Tearing (perforation) of the esophagus

WHEN TO CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSINAL

• You have trouble swallowing or painful swallowing
• Your symptoms continue, even with treatment for achalasia

PREVENTION

• Many of the causes of achalasia cannot be prevented
• But treatment may help to prevent complications

SOURCES

• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000267.htm
• Falk GW, Katzka DA. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Shafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 140.
• http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/swallowing-problems
• https://www.google.com/search?q=sickness%20in%20digestion%20system&ncr=1&gw...