Achalasia Vs. Diffuse Spasm: How These Esophageal Disorders Differ

Some things can go wrong with the esophagus - the muscular tube through which swallowed food and liquid pass going into the stomach. Most of the esophageal disorders involve a condition, called faulty peristalsis, in which the muscles in the esophagus are not coordinating satisfactorily, making deglutition (the process of swallowing food or liquid) difficult or painful. I remember the time when my husband was complaining about the pain he experiences whenever he swallows food that I had to take him to the doctor to find out what's wrong.

As diagnosed by the doctor, my husband was suffering from a condition known as achalasia. According to the doctor, this condition and another one, called diffuse spasm, are the two traditional classifications of esophageal disorders. Both disorders produce either difficulty in swallowing or pain in swallowing, or both. These symptoms may take place sporadically or occur frequently that they feel constant.

In achalasia, the sphincter muscle located between the esophagus and the stomach is not opening when it's supposed to. Because of this, the contractions that move food along (called staltic waves) fail to push food into the stomach. This results to the retention in the esophagus of the food that you eat. Since there is no other place for the food to go, the esophagus becomes enlarged and contorted. People suffering from achalasia often experience the casting up of incompletely digested food into the mouth.

In diffuse spasm, the person suffers from the same feeling of discomfort as that experienced in achalasia. However in diffuse spasm, both the upper and lower esophageal openings are likely to be in good working condition. The trouble is caused by the irregular pressure waves, obstructing the process of contraction. Consequently, food can't move along.

The usual medical approach in treating achalasia is the dilatation of the imperfectly-functioning sphincter muscle that is causing obstruction and retention in the esophagus. My husband had to go through repeated dilatations as his doctor deemed these were necessary. Rightly so, and fortunately enough, my husband was successfully treated of his condition. Otherwise, surgery was the next option being contemplated by his doctor.

Actually, according to my husband's doctor, the person suffering from achalasia may be able to, at least in part, control the condition himself. Posturing is usually the key. This means that the person will have to move his body in a manner that will force swallowed food downwards, thereby enabling it to reach the stomach. Eating small meals and chewing food well can likewise offer a great deal of help.

My husband was even more fortunate not to have diffuse spasm instead. His doctor explained that dilatation or medication cannot successfully treat this condition, although either of these may provide some relief. Surgery is the only alternative that can effectively treat this disorder. [Read the Original Article]