Achalasia symptoms, signs, diagnosis and treatment on MedicineNet.com

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Achalasia (cont.)

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
Achalasia Glossary
Achalasia Index

The most common symptom of achalasia is difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Patients typically describe food sticking in the chest after it is swallowed. Dysphagia occurs with both solid and liquid food. Moreover, the dysphagia is consistent, meaning that it occurs during virtually every meal.

Sometimes, patients will describe only a heavy sensation in their chest after eating that may force them to stop eating. Occasionally, pain may be severe and mimic heart pain. (Please read the Angina article on MedicineNet for more detail on different causes of chest pain).

Regurgitation of food that is trapped in the esophagus can occur, especially when the esophagus is dilated. If the regurgitation happens at night while the patient is sleeping, food can enter the throat and cause coughing and choking. If the food enters the trachea (windpipe) and lung, it can lead to pneumonia (aspiration pneumonia).

Because of the problem swallowing food, a large proportion of patients with achalasia lose weight.

What are the complications of achalasia?

The complications of achalasia include weight loss and aspiration pneumonia. There often is inflammation of the esophagus, called esophagitis, which is caused by the irritating effect of food and fluids that collect in the esophagus for prolonged periods of time. There may be esophageal ulcerations as well.

Of potential concern is the possibility that there is an increased occurrence of cancer of the esophagus in patients with achalasia. However, there is insufficient scientific evidence that achalasia increases a person's risk of developing esophageal cancer, so authorities are currently not recommending that patients with achalasia undergo regular upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for cancer surveillance.