$Unique_ID{BRK01321}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Do "Achalasia" and "Dysphagia" Mean?}
$Subject{heartburn swallowing achalasia digestive system dysphagia heartburns
cardiospasm esophagus peristalsis bolus sphincter cardiac stomach esophageal
swallow heart burn digestion systems cardiospasms barium esophagography}
$Volume{I-10}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Do "Achalasia" and "Dysphagia" Mean?


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QUESTION:  I thought it was only heartburn at first, but now after all the
tests, I am more confused than ever.  My doctor has been trying to explain it
to me, but I get lost in the big words.  Can you explain "achalasia" to me and
what does "dysphagia" mean?  He also mentioned something about "cardiospasm".
Does this mean I have a heart condition too?  I had the nice nurse write down
all these words for me so I hope they are spelled right and that you can help
me.

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ANSWER:  You and the nurse did just fine, and I will have no trouble
explaining these words to you.  They all have to do with a condition of the
esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food between your mouth and your
stomach.  It is not clear to me just what your specific problem is, but
perhaps understanding these words and just how your esophagus works will help
clear up some confusion.  When you eat or drink and then swallow, the food is
moved along through the esophagus by a special wave like contraction of the
muscles called "peristalsis".  The rounded mass of food (or "bolus") is
carried to the lower end of the esophagus where it enters through a ring like
muscle called a sphincter, into the cardiac portion of the stomach.  So the
word "cardio" here (as in cardiospasm) does not refer to the heart, and the
spasm is one of the special esophageal sphincter muscles, not the arteries of
the heart.  "Achalasia" is another word that deals with the same problem.
Literally it means "a failure to relax" and implies that the same esophageal
sphincter does not open sufficiently to allow the food bolus to pass through.
When this occurs, a pain occurs that mimics the pain of heart pain, and can
even radiate into the neck and left arm, just as pains do that result from
certain heart problems.  "Dysphagia" is the term applied to pain or difficulty
in swallowing.  The diagnosis of the condition can often be made when an x-ray
called "barium esophagography" is performed.  After swallowing a mouthful or
two of barium liquid, the esophagus is seen to be widely dilated, as the
sphincter muscle fails to open, and all the barium is held back in the
esophagus.  In most cases the causes of achalasia remain unknown.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.