Achalasia is a rare disorder of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. In Achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscular ring that closes off the esophagus from the stomach, cannot open up during swallowing, which is very important. This causes a backup of food within the esophagus. The condition occurs due to damage nerves in the esophagus or damage of the LES. There’s no treatment for Achalasia. However, symptoms can be managed with minimally invasive therapy or surgery.
Symptoms
People having Achalasia will mostly have trouble swallowing or feel like food is stuck in their esophagus, which causes choking and problem in breathing. Other symptoms may include:
- Weight loss
- Pain or discomfort in your chest
- Heartburn
- Severe pain or discomfort while eating
Causes:
The exact reason for Achalasia is not known. but, there are some theories on what causes Achalasia is given below
Genetic: The most common reason for Achalasia is genes.
Autoimmune disorder: An autoimmune disorder occurs when your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in your body. The degeneration of nerves in your esophagus mostly contributes to the advanced symptoms of Achalasia.
Infection: Infections can also be a cause of Achalasia.
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