What is Achalasia?

What is Achalasia?

• Achalasia: A rare motor disorder of the esophagus characterized by inability of the lower esophageal sphincter and esophageal muscle to relax as well as dilation of the esophagus.
• Achalasia: A motility disorder of the ESOPHAGUS in which the LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER (near the CARDIA) fails to relax resulting in hypermotility, functional obstruction of the esophagus, and DYSPHAGIA. Achalasia is characterized by a grossly contorted and dilated esophagus (megaesophagus).
  Source - Diseases Database

Achalasia is listed as a "rare disease" by the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that Achalasia, or a subtype of Achalasia, affects less than 200,000 people in the US population.
Source - National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Achalasia: Introduction

Types of Achalasia:

Broader types of Achalasia:

• Digestive Diseases
• Esophagus diseases
• Digestive conditions
• Esophageal conditions
• Muscle conditions
• Throat conditions
• more types...»

How serious is Achalasia?

Complications of Achalasia: see complications of Achalasia

What causes Achalasia?

Causes of Achalasia: see causes of Achalasia

What are the symptoms of Achalasia?

Symptoms of Achalasia: see symptoms of Achalasia

Complications of Achalasia: see complications of Achalasia

Achalasia: Testing

Diagnostic testing: see tests for Achalasia.

Misdiagnosis: see misdiagnosis and Achalasia.

How is it treated?

Treatments for Achalasia: see treatments for Achalasia

Organs Affected by Achalasia:

Organs and body systems related to Achalasia include:

• Esophagus
• Digestive

Name and Aliases of Achalasia

Main name of condition: Achalasia

cardiospasm, dyssynergia esophagus, esophageal aperistalsis, megaesophagus, Esophageal achalasia

Oesophageal achalasia, Esophageal achalasia Source - Diseases Database

Esophageal achalasia
Source - Office of Rare Diseases (ORD) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Achalasia: Related Conditions

Research the causes of these diseases that are similar to, or related to, Achalasia:

• Hypertensive nonrelaxed esophageal sphincter
• Primary esophageal motility disorder
• Lower esophageal sphincter
• LES
• Esophageal peristalsis
• Dysphagia
• Regurgitation
• Chest pain
• Heartburn
• Weight loss

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