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Achalasia
Achalasia "A disease of the esophagus caused by the abnormal function of nerves and muscles of the esophagus that makes swallowing difficult. There may sometimes be chest pain. Regurgitation of undigested food can occur, as can coughing or breathing problems due to entry of food into the lungs. The underlying problems are weakness of the lower portion of the esophagus and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to open and allow passage of food. Achalasia may occur at any age but is predominantly a disease of young adults. Diagnosis is made by an X-ray, endoscopy, or esophageal manometry (to measure the pressure in the esophagus). Treatment includes medication, dilation (stretching) to widen the lower part of the esophagus, and surgery to open the lower esophagus. A fairly recent approach involves injecting medicines into the lower esophagus to relax the sphincter. The ""ch"" in achalasia is pronounced ""k"" as in ""ache"". The word achalasia comes from the Greek ""a-"", failure or absence + ""chalasis"", relaxation = a failure of relaxation, referring to failure of the lower sphincter muscle of the esophagus to relax."
RELATED TERMS--------------------------------------
Disease
Illness or sickness often characterized by typical patient problems (symptoms) and physical findings (signs). Disruption sequence: The events that occur when a fetus that is developing normally is subjected to a destructive agent such as the rubella (German measles) virus.
Esophagus
The organ that connects the mouth to the stomach. Also called gullet.
Abnormal
Not normal. Deviating from the usual structure, position, condition, or behavior. In referring to a growth, abnormal may mean that it is cancerous or premalignant (likely to become cancer).
Chest
The area of the body located between the neck and the abdomen. The chest contains the lungs, the heart and part of the aorta. The walls of the chest are supported by the dorsal vertebrae, the ribs, and the sternum.
Pain
An unpleasant sensory or emotional experience primarily associated with tissue damage, or described in terms of tissue damage, or both.
Regurgitation
A condition that occurs when gastric juices or small amounts of food from the stomach flow back into the esophagus and mouth. Also called reflux.
Food
Any substance eaten to provide nutritional support for the body.
Breathing
The process of respiration, during which air is inhaled into the lungs through the mouth or nose due to muscle contraction, and then exhaled due to muscle relaxation.
Lungs
The main respiratory organs in the chest where blood is oxygenated.
Esophageal
Pertaining to the esophagus.
Sphincter
A ring-like band of muscle that opens and closes an opening in the body. An example is the muscle between the esophagus and the stomach known as the lower esophageal sphincter.
Achalasia
"A disease of the esophagus caused by the abnormal function of nerves and muscles of the esophagus that makes swallowing difficult. There may sometimes be chest pain. Regurgitation of undigested food can occur, as can coughing or breathing problems due to entry of food into the lungs. The underlying problems are weakness of the lower portion of the esophagus and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to open and allow passage of food. Achalasia may occur at any age but is predominantly a disease of young adults. Diagnosis is made by an X-ray, endoscopy, or esophageal manometry (to measure the pressure in the esophagus). Treatment includes medication, dilation (stretching) to widen the lower part of the esophagus, and surgery to open the lower esophagus. A fairly recent approach involves injecting medicines into the lower esophagus to relax the sphincter. The ""ch"" in achalasia is pronounced ""k"" as in ""ache"". The word achalasia comes from the Greek ""a-"", failure or absence + ""chalasis"", relaxation = a failure of relaxation, referring to failure of the lower sphincter muscle of the esophagus to relax."
Diagnosis
The determination of the presence of a specific disease or infection, usually accomplished by evaluating clinical symptoms and laboratory tests.
X-ray
Electromagnetic energy used to produce images of bones and internal organs onto film.
Endoscopy
Procedure in which a lighted viewing instrument (endoscope) is used to look inside a body cavity or organ to diagnose or treat disorders.
Manometry
Tests that measure muscle pressure and movements in the GI tract.
Dilation
The opening of the cervix during labor.
Surgery
Treating diseases or other medical conditions by operating on a patient to remove or repair parts of the body.
Muscle
Tissue made up of bundles of long, slender cells that contract when stimulated.
SIMILAR TERMS--------------------------------------
PREVIOUS AND NEXT TERMS--------------------------------------
Acetyl phosphate
A molecular ion which plays a role in the synthesis of the four-carbon fatty acid, butyric acid. The formula for acetyl phosphate is: CH3COPO42-.
Acetylcholinesterase
An enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine at the synaptic cleft (the space between two nerve cells) so the next nerve impulse can be transmitted across the synaptic gap. Pesticides of the organophosphate and carbamate types act to paralyze and kill insects by inhibiting their acetylcholinesterase. Abbreviated AChE.
Acetylcysteine
An antioxidant drug used to reduce the thickness of mucus and ease its removal. It is also used to reverse the toxicity of high doses of acetaminophen. Acetylcysteine with hydration significantly reduces the risk of contrast nephropathy in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. Also called N-acetyl-L-cysteine.
ACG2
Achondrogenesis type II.
ACh (acetylcholine)
Abbreviation for acetylcholine. See: Acetylcholine.
Achalasia
AChE (acetylcholinesterase)
Abbreviation for acetylcholinesterase. See: Acetylcholinesterase.
Achilles
In Greek mythology, the hero who was thought to have some special medical knowledge. Achilles studied medicine with Chiron, the centaur, who invented it.
Achilles tendon
A tough sinew that attaches the calf muscle to the back of the heel bone. The Achilles tendon is one of the longest tendons in the body. It is also called the tendo Achilles or the tendo calcaneus, the calcaneus being the heel bone.
Achillobursitis
Pain due to inflammation of the bursa associated with the Achilles tendon. .
Achillodynia
Pain due to inflammation of the Achilles tendon or the bursa associated with it.
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