Achalasia Health Dictionary

A rare condition of unknown cause in which the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus and the sphincter (valve) between the oesophagus and the stomach fail to relax to let food into the stomach after swallowing. As a result, the lowest part of the oesophagus is narrowed and becomes blocked with food, while the part above widens. Symptoms include difficulty and pain with swallowing and pain in the lower chest and upper abdomen.

A barium swallow (a type of barium X-ray examination) and gastroscopy may be performed to investigate achalasia.

Oesophageal dilatation allows the oesophagus to be widened for long periods. Surgery to cut some of the muscles at the stomach entrance may be necessary. Achilles tendon The tendon that raises the heel. The Achilles tendon is formed from the calf muscles (gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantar muscles) and is attached to the calcaneus (heel-bone). Minor injuries to the Achilles tendon are common and can result in inflammation (tendinitis).

Violent stretching of the tendon can cause it to rupture; in such cases, surgical repair may be necessary.

Achalasia is another term for SPASM, but indicates not so much an active spasm of muscle as a failure to relax.

a disorder of the oesophagus (gullet) characterized by uncoordinated or absent contraction of oesophageal smooth muscle and incomplete relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LOS), leading to disturbances of swallowing (see dysphagia). It may occur at any age and affects both sexes equally: symptoms include progressive difficulty in swallowing liquids and solids, food regurgitation, and chest pain precipitated by oesophageal spasm. Diagnosis is by *barium swallow X-ray examination, endoscopy, and oesophageal *manometry. Treatment is by endoscopic balloon dilatation of the LOS, surgical division of the muscle fibres of the LOS (Heller’s cardiomyotomy), or by injection of *botulinum toxin into the LOS.