A report on Esophageal achalasia
Failure of smooth muscle fibers to relax, which can cause the lower esophageal sphincter to remain closed.
- Esophageal achalasia22 related topics with Alpha
Esophagus
9 linksOrgan in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach.
Organ in vertebrates through which food passes, aided by peristaltic contractions, from the pharynx to the stomach.
Achalasia refers to a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax properly, and generally develops later in life.
Dysphagia
5 linksDifficulty in swallowing.
Difficulty in swallowing.
Achalasia is a major exception to usual pattern of dysphagia in that swallowing of fluid tends to cause more difficulty than swallowing solids.
Esophageal motility study
3 linksTest to assess motor function of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
Test to assess motor function of the upper esophageal sphincter (UES), esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
These include achalasia, diffuse esophageal spasm, nutcracker esophagus and hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter.
Chest pain
3 linksPain or discomfort in the chest, typically the front of the chest.
Pain or discomfort in the chest, typically the front of the chest.
Achalasia, nutcracker esophagus, and other motility disorders of the esophagus
Upper gastrointestinal series
3 linksSeries of radiographs used to examine the gastrointestinal tract for abnormalities.
Series of radiographs used to examine the gastrointestinal tract for abnormalities.
Amongst the uses of barium swallow are: persistent dysphagia and odynophagia despite negative esophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGDS) findings, failed OGDS, esophageal motility disorder, globus pharyngis, assessment of tracheoesophageal fistula, and timed barium swallow to monitor the progress of esophageal achalasia therapy.
Nutcracker esophagus
3 linksDisorder of the movement of the esophagus characterized by contractions in the smooth muscle of the esophagus in a normal sequence but at an excessive amplitude or duration.
Disorder of the movement of the esophagus characterized by contractions in the smooth muscle of the esophagus in a normal sequence but at an excessive amplitude or duration.
Nutcracker esophagus is one of several motility disorders of the esophagus, including achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm.
Esophageal cancer
3 linksCancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach.
Cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the throat and the stomach.
Achalasia (i.e. lack of the involuntary reflex in the esophagus after swallowing) appears to be a risk factor for both main types of esophageal cancer, at least in men, due to stagnation of trapped food and drink.
Esophagectomy
2 linksSurgical removal of all or parts of the esophagus.
Surgical removal of all or parts of the esophagus.
Esophagectomy is also occasionally performed for benign disease such as esophageal atresia in children, achalasia, or caustic injury.
Megaesophagus
1 linksDisorder of the esophagus in humans and other mammals, whereby the esophagus becomes abnormally enlarged.
Disorder of the esophagus in humans and other mammals, whereby the esophagus becomes abnormally enlarged.
Megaesophagus may occur secondary to diseases such as achalasia or Chagas disease.
Hiatal hernia
4 linksType of hernia in which abdominal organs slip through the diaphragm into the middle compartment of the chest.
Type of hernia in which abdominal organs slip through the diaphragm into the middle compartment of the chest.
Meanwhile, manometry can determine the integrity of esophageal movements, and the presence of esophageal achalasia.