Achalasia is a unique disorder that makes it difficult for food and drinks to go through your esophagus to your stomach. It takes place when a nerve in the throat gets injured. By then, the throat doesn’t have the capability to crush food down, and the powerful valve between the throat and stomach (lower esophageal sphincter) doesn’t fully relax— it is hard for food to go to your stomach.
There no antidote for achalasia. But symptoms can be controlled with medications.
TYPES
SYMPTOMS
DIAGNOSIS
Achalasia can be misdiagnosed because it has signs like that of other stomach-related conditions. To test for achalasia, your doctor will most likely recommend:
Esophageal manometry: This test assesses the muscle contractions in your throat when you swallow, the coordination and strength of your throat muscles, and how well your lower esophageal sphincter loosens up or opens up during a swallow.
Abdominal x-rays are taken after you drink a special liquid that coats and fills the covering of your stomach. The coating enables your doctor to examine your throat, stomach, and upper gastrointestinal tract. You may similarly swallow a barium pill that can show a blockage of the throat.
Upper endoscopy: Your doctor inserts a slim, flexible tube outfitted with a light and camera (endoscope) down your throat, to investigate inside your throat and stomach. Endoscopy can be used to show a blockage of the throat if a diagnosis isn’t reached yet. Endoscopy can be used to get a sample for biopsy.
TREATMENT
Nonsurgical alternatives include:
Surgical procedures include:
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Referred pain is a phenomenon where pain is perceived at a [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Quinoline yellow is a synthetic food colorant commonly used in the [...]
Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Pneumothorax is a condition characterized by the presence of air in [...]
