What is achalasia and how is it treated?
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Dr. Linda Lee of Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Achalasia is a condition in which the nerves of the esophagus are damaged. Then the muscles of the esophageal wall don't contract properly and the food remains trapped in the esophagus. Another problem occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which connects the esophagus to the stomach, doesn't relax - meaning food can't travel downwards.
Treatments for fighting achalasia include surgery to loosen the LES; Botox injections to relax the LES; dilating the tube (for example with a balloon inserted and then expanded inside), or drugs that can relax the muscles.
Achalasia is a condition in which the nerves of the esophagus are damaged. Then the muscles of the esophageal wall don't contract properly and the food remains trapped in the esophagus. Another problem occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter... More -
Dr. Daniel O'Hair of Aurora Health Care answered:Achalasia is a swallowing disorder that causes patients to experience difficulty with food passing from the esophagus into the stomach. Although the entire esophagus is affected, treatments focus on allowing the lower esophageal sphincter to relax and allow food to pass into the stomach. This allows for proper patient nutrition, a more diverse diet and, importantly, relief of the pain and risk caused by the inability to clear the esophagus of undigested food.
Most treatments, including botox injection and balloon dilation, allow temporary relief. Excellent long-term relief can now be achieved by a simple surgical procedure to inactivate the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter. A few small incisions on the abdomen allow access to the area. Using a robotic system through those tiny incisions, the muscle is safely divided and patients can resume eating the next day. This usually results in a one-night stay in the hospital.Achalasia is a swallowing disorder that causes patients to experience difficulty with food passing from the esophagus into the stomach. Although the entire esophagus is affected, treatments focus on allowing the lower esophageal sphincter to relax... More
