What is achalasia?

Achalasia: Inability of esophagus to move food down toward stomach. May be neurological or infectious in origin. Some autoimmune causes as well.

No function: Basically, the esophagus doesn't work to propel the food into the stomach in a coordinated fashion because the nerves that coordinate this function don't work. Cause is typically unknown, but probably related to a viral infection somehow. Treatment is directed at opening the lower esophageal valve to relieve the symptoms (no cure for the nerves). The newest treatment is poem.

Achalasia: This is a progressive disorder of the esophagus in which the esophagus no longer has the ability to push food into the stomach and at the same time, the lower esophageal sphincter pressure is increased. The most common symptoms are difficulty swallowing and regurgitation. Symptoms may be confused with gerd. Diagnosis is made with endoscopy, x-rays, and esophageal manometry.