Achalasia

Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Slideshow Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Diverticulitis (Diverticulosis) Slideshow

Medical Author: Jay W. Marks, MD
Medical Editor: Dennis Lee, MD

• What is achalasia?
• How does the normal esophagus function?
• How is esophageal function abnormal in achalasia?
• What causes achalasia?
• What are the symptoms of achalasia?
• What are the complications of achalasia?
• How is achalasia diagnosed?
• How is achalasia treated?
• Achalasia At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Achalasia - Describe Your Experience

What is achalasia?

Achalasia is a rare disease of the muscle of the esophagus (swallowing tube). The term achalasia means "failure to relax" and refers to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (a ring of muscle between the lower esophagus and the stomach) to open and let food pass into the stomach. As a result, patients with achalasia have difficulty swallowing food.

How does the normal esophagus function?

The esophagus has three functional parts. The uppermost part is the upper esophageal sphincter, a specialized ring of muscle that forms the upper end of the tubular esophagus and separates the esophagus from the throat. The upper sphincter remains closed most of the time to prevent food in the main part of the esophagus from backing up into the throat. The main part of the esophagus is referred to as the body of the esophagus, a long, muscular tube approximately 20 cm (8 in) in length. The third functional part of the esophagus is the lower esophageal sphincter, a ring of specialized esophageal muscle at the junction of the esophagus with the stomach. Like the upper sphincter, the lower sphincter remains closed most of the time to prevent food and acid from backing up into the body of the esophagus from the stomach.

The upper sphincter relaxes with swallowing to allow food and saliva to pass from the throat into the upper esophageal body. The muscle in the upper esophagus just below the upper sphincter then contracts, squeezing food and saliva further down into the esophageal body. The ring-like contraction of the muscle progresses down the body of the esophagus, propelling the food and saliva towards the stomach. (The progression of the muscular contraction through the esophageal body is referred to as a peristaltic wave.). By the time the peristaltic wave reaches the lower sphincter, the sphincter is open, and the food passes into the stomach.

Achalasia - Describe Your Experience

The MedicineNet physician editors ask:

Please describe your experience with achalasia.

Comment submissions for this question have ended.
See 20 Viewer Comments

View Comments

Suggested Reading by Our Doctors

• botulinum toxin type A, Botox, Botox Cosmetic -
• Endoscopy (Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, EGD) - Learn about the endoscopy procedure which examines the esophagus, stomach and duodenum to detect gastrointestinal and digestive disorders on MedicineNet.com
• Vitiligo - Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, research and treatment of vitiligo, an incurable pigmentation disorder and autoimmune disease that causes white patches (depigmentation) on the skin.

Read more Achalasia related articles »

Latest Medical News

• Boomers Doomed to Disability?
• Gender Divorce Gap After Illness Strikes
• Cigarette Smoking's Decline Levels Off
• 22 Million Cases of Swine Flu in U.S.