Achalasia

Achalasia: A rare disease of the esophagus (swallowing tube), usually diagnosed in young adults. Abnormal function of nerves and muscles of the esophagus causes difficulty swallowing and sometimes chest pain. Regurgitation of undigested food can occur, as can cough or breathing problems related to entry of food material into the lungs. The underlying problem is weakness of the lower portion of the esophagus and failure of the lowest-most part (lower esophageal sphincter) to open and allow passage of food. The diagnosis of achalasia may be made by an x-ray, endoscopy (the use of a flexible tube to examine the esophagus), or testing of pressures in the esophagus (esophageal manometry). The modes of treatment of achalasia include oral medications, dilation (stretching) to widen the lower part of the esophagus, and surgery to open the lower esophagus. A new approach involves injecting medicines into the lower esophagus to relax the sphincter. The "ch" in achalasia is pronounced "k" as in "ache". The word achalasia comes from the Greek "a-", failure or absence + "chalasis", relaxation = a failure of relaxation, referring to failure of the lower sphincter muscle of the esophagus to relax.