Esophageal Achalasia
Achalasia is a condition that affects the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). The LES doesn’t completely relax and the passage of food is compromised.Most patients with achalasia complain of dysphagia or difficulty swallowing. The symptom usually starts gradually and continues to progress with time. The typical patient will start noticing difficulty swallowing certain solids like chicken breast, turkey breast, bread, and hard vegetables. With time the patients will start noticing difficulty swallowing liquids. The first step in the diagnosis is a good history and physical exam. An Upper GI Series or Barium Swallow Test is usually the first test performed. It is a cheaper and non-invasive test. An EGD or Upper Endoscopy is another commonly performed test in patients with achalasia.The gold standard test in the diagnosis of achalasia is a High-Resolution Esophageal Manometry or an Esophageal Motility Study. This test is usually mandatory in order to confirm the diagnosis of achalasia.