Questions in the Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum have been answered by Dr. Kevin Pho who is board certified in Internal Medicine and by doctors from Henry Ford Health System.

Question Title: Achalasia

Forum: The Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Forum
Topic: Digestive


From a manometry study, I have been diagnosed with achalasia.
I have a few questions. How is achalasia differentiated from
vigorous achalasia? If there was measured aperistalsis in the
esophageal body, does this mean that DES can be ruled out as a
source of pain, and the retrosternal pain I experience is probably
due to spasm at the LES? It seems inconceivable to me that acid
reflux could occur in conjunction with achalasia, are the 2 conditions
ever seen together? After successful pneumatic dilatation, and
assuming that the esophagus itself has become mis-shapen during the
progression of the disorder, can the esophagus return to its
former shape?

Thank you in advance.


Dear Brian,
Achalasia is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter(LES) fails to relax with swallowing and there is a absence of contractions in the body of the esophagus. Vigorous achalasis also has an LES that fails to relax but has si,ultaneous high pressure contractions in the body of the esophagus.
You can distinguish between the two conditions by the contractions.
Acis reflux is not usually seen with achaalaisa.
This information is presented for educational purposes omnly. Ask specific questions to your personal physician.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: achaalsia \
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