Achalasia is reallymore of a symptom than a disease in itself. Perhaps a physical condition is a better description. It occurs when something goes wrong with the esophagus and the various muscular actions that allow swallowing to take place. The causes can be many and varied, cancer, genetic, age, other physcial damage:
Achalasia is a rare disorder of the esophagus, the tube that carries
food from the throat to the stomach. It is characterized by enlargement
of the esophagus, impaired ability to push food down toward the stomach
(peristalsis), and failure of the ring-shaped muscle at the bottom of
the esophagus, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), to relax. It is
the contraction and relaxation of the sphincter that moves food through
the tube.
Causes can be:
Another part of the disorder is lack of nervous
stimulation to the esophagus. Causes include damage to the nerves to
the esophagus, parasitic infection, cancers, and hereditary factors.
Achalasia is a rare disorder, may occur at any age, but is most common
in middle-aged or older adults.
Treatment can be manipulation, surgery, or even Botox!
The approach to treatment is to reduce the pressure at the lower
esophageal sphincter. This may be achieved by manipulating the lower
esophagus sphincter with special instruments.
Therapy usually involves widening of the lower sphincter or
injection with botulinum toxin (Botox) to paralyze it and prevent
spasms. Medications such as long-acting nitrates or calcium channel
blockers can also be used to lower the pressure at the lower esophagus
sphincter.
Surgery (called an esophagomyotomy) to decrease the pressure in the
lower sphincter may be needed. Your doctor can help you decide which
treatment is best for your situation.
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