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Achalasia is a disorder of the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). The esophagus is less able to move food toward the stomach, and the muscle from the esophagus to the stomach does not ...
Basic Info
Symptoms
Difficulty swallowing liquids and solids; Regurgitation (backflow)of food; Chest pain which may increase after eating o...
Causes
The main abnormality in achalasia is a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (a muscular ring at the junction of th...
Tests
An upper GI x-ray test or barium esophagogram may show absence of peristalsis, an enlarged esophagus, and a narrowing a...
Treatments
The approach to treatment is to reduce the pressure at the lower esophageal sphincter. This may be achieved by manipula...
Complications
Tearing (perforation) of the esophagus; Regurgitation of acid or food from the stomach into the esophagus (reflux; Aspi...
Prevention
Many of the causes of achalasia are not preventable. However, treatment of the disorder may help to prevent complicatio...
Doctor Specialties
Call your provider if you have persistent difficulty swallowing or painful swallowing, or if symptoms persist despite t...
Basic Info
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