What is the definition of achalasia?
Lay: Achalasia is a disorder of swallowing resulting from the inability of the muscle of the esophagus (food pipe) to relax, preventing food and liquids to get to the stomach. The muscle affected is called the lower esophageal sphincter: this is a ring of muscle at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, which normally stays shut (to prevent stomach acid from coming back) and opens during swallowing to allow food down. In patients with achalasia, this ring stays shut. In addition, the rest of the esophagus loses its ability to pump material down (a process called peristalsis). This combination of defects results in great difficulty in swallowing.
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