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Achalasia: The Mysterious Swallowing Disorder You Need to Know About
Published: Mar 25, 2024
Achalasia is a rare but serious digestive disorder that makes it difficult to swallow food and drinks. This condition affects the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach.
What Causes Achalasia?
Achalasia occurs when nerve cells in the esophagus are damaged or destroyed. This leads to two main problems: the muscle at the bottom of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) doesn't relax properly, and the esophagus loses its ability to squeeze food down. It's like having a door that won't open and a hallway that can't push things through.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptoms of achalasia are difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids, and regurgitation of undigested food. You might also experience chest pain, heartburn, and trouble burping. Some people lose weight because eating becomes challenging. These symptoms usually develop slowly over time, often taking years before a diagnosis is made.
Diagnosing Achalasia
Doctors use several tests to diagnose achalasia. The most important is a test called esophageal manometry, which measures pressure and muscle contractions in your esophagus. Other tests may include X-rays with contrast (barium swallow), endoscopy, and newer techniques like the Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP). These help rule out other conditions and confirm the diagnosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's rare, affecting about 1 in 100,000 people annually.
There's no cure, but treatments can significantly improve symptoms.
Slightly, but the overall risk remains low.
Yes, but it's more common in adults between 25 and 60.
The Bottom Line
While achalasia is a challenging condition, early diagnosis and proper treatment can greatly improve quality of life for those affected.
References
- Pandolfino JE, Gawron AJ. Achalasia: a systematic review. JAMA 2015; 313:1841.
- Vaezi MF, Pandolfino JE, Yadlapati RH, et al. ACG Clinical Guidelines: Diagnosis and Management of Achalasia. Am J Gastroenterol 2020; 115:1393.
- Yadlapati R, Kahrilas PJ, Fox MR, et al. Esophageal motility disorders on high-resolution manometry: Chicago classification version 4.0©. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2021; 33:e14058.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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