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Medical Author:

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD

Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

In this Article

• 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 Comments: Achalasia - Symptoms
• Patient Comments: Achalasia - Treatment
• Patient Comments: Achalasia - Describe Your Experience
• Patient Comments: Achalasia - Causes
• Find a local Gastroenterologist in your town
• Achalasia Index

• Achalasia is a rare disease of the muscle of the lower esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter.
  
  
• The cause of achalasia is unknown; however, there is degeneration of the esophageal muscles and, more importantly, the nerves that control the muscles.
  
  
• Common symptoms of achalasia include difficulty in swallowing, chest pain, and regurgitation of food and liquids.
  
  
• Complications of achalasia include lung problems and loss of weight.
  
  
• Achalasia may increase the risk of cancer of the esophagus, but this not well established.
  
  
• Achalasia can be diagnosed by X-ray, endoscopy, or esophageal manometry.
  
  
• Treatments for achalasia include oral medications, dilation or stretching of the esophagus, surgery, and injection of muscle-relaxing medicines (botulinum toxin) directly into the esophagus.

REFERENCE: eMedicine.com. Achalasia.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/169974-overview>

Previous contributing editor: Dennis Lee, MD