Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary symptom of achalasia?
What is the primary symptom of achalasia?
What is the believed cause of achalasia in most cases?
What is the believed cause of achalasia in most cases?
Which treatment option is used to relax the lower esophageal sphincter?
Which treatment option is used to relax the lower esophageal sphincter?
What is the purpose of an esophagogram in diagnosing achalasia?
What is the purpose of an esophagogram in diagnosing achalasia?
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What is characterized by absent or incomplete primary peristalsis?
What is characterized by absent or incomplete primary peristalsis?
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What is the result of incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia?
What is the result of incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter in achalasia?
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Which diagnostic test is used to assess the movement of food through the esophagus?
Which diagnostic test is used to assess the movement of food through the esophagus?
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What is the purpose of laparoscopic Heller myotomy in treating achalasia?
What is the purpose of laparoscopic Heller myotomy in treating achalasia?
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What is the result of abnormal esophageal contractions in achalasia?
What is the result of abnormal esophageal contractions in achalasia?
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What is the recommended lifestyle change to help manage achalasia?
What is the recommended lifestyle change to help manage achalasia?
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Study Notes
Symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) solids and liquids
- Regurgitation of food
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Coughing or choking on food
- Weight loss
- Heartburn
- Difficulty burping or vomiting
Causes
- Unknown in most cases, but believed to be related to:
- Damage to the nerves that control the esophagus
- Abnormality in the nerve cells that control the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
- Inflammation or scarring of the esophagus
- Certain genetic disorders or autoimmune diseases
- Infection with certain viruses or bacteria
Treatment Options
-
Medical Therapy:
- Nitrates or calcium channel blockers to relax the LES
- Botox injections to temporarily relax the LES
-
Endoscopic Therapy:
- Pneumatic dilation to stretch the LES
- Botulinum toxin injection to relax the LES
-
Surgical Therapy:
- Laparoscopic Heller myotomy to cut the muscle of the LES
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to cut the muscle of the LES through the mouth
-
Lifestyle Changes:
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoiding heavy or rich foods
- Raising the head of the bed 6-8 inches
Diagnosis
- Endoscopy: to visualize the esophagus and rule out other conditions
- Esophagogram: to examine the swallowing process using X-ray
- Manometry: to measure the muscle contractions of the esophagus
- Timed barium esophagogram: to assess the movement of food through the esophagus
Esophageal Motility
- Primary peristalsis: the normal wave-like muscle contraction of the esophagus
- Secondary peristalsis: the contraction of the esophagus in response to food or liquid
-
Achalasia: characterized by:
- Absent or incomplete primary peristalsis
- Incomplete relaxation of the LES
- Elevated LES pressure
- Abnormal esophageal contractions
Symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing solids and liquids due to achalasia
- Regurgitation of food, a common symptom of achalasia
- Chest pain or discomfort associated with swallowing
- Coughing or choking on food, a risk of achalasia
- Weight loss due to difficulty swallowing and eating
- Heartburn, a symptom of achalasia
- Difficulty burping or vomiting, a characteristic of achalasia
Causes
- Unknown causes in most cases
- Damage to nerves controlling the esophagus, a possible cause
- Abnormality in nerve cells controlling the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)
- Inflammation or scarring of the esophagus, a possible cause
- Genetic disorders or autoimmune diseases, a possible cause
- Infection with certain viruses or bacteria, a possible cause
Treatment Options
Medical Therapy
- Nitrates or calcium channel blockers to relax the LES
- Botox injections to temporarily relax the LES
Endoscopic Therapy
- Pneumatic dilation to stretch the LES
- Botulinum toxin injection to relax the LES
Surgical Therapy
- Laparoscopic Heller myotomy to cut the muscle of the LES
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) to cut the muscle of the LES through the mouth
Lifestyle Changes
- Eating smaller, more frequent meals to manage symptoms
- Avoiding heavy or rich foods to manage symptoms
- Raising the head of the bed 6-8 inches to reduce symptoms
Diagnosis
- Endoscopy to visualize the esophagus and rule out other conditions
- Esophagogram to examine the swallowing process using X-ray
- Manometry to measure the muscle contractions of the esophagus
- Timed barium esophagogram to assess the movement of food through the esophagus
Esophageal Motility
Normal Motility
- Primary peristalsis: the normal wave-like muscle contraction of the esophagus
- Secondary peristalsis: the contraction of the esophagus in response to food or liquid
Achalasia
- Characterized by absent or incomplete primary peristalsis
- Incomplete relaxation of the LES
- Elevated LES pressure
- Abnormal esophageal contractions
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Description
This quiz covers the symptoms and causes of esophageal achalasia, a disorder that affects the esophagus and can cause difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and other symptoms.
