Achalasia

Achalasia is a primary esophageal motility disorder characterized by the absence of esophageal peristalsis and impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) in response to swallowing. The LES is hypertensive in about 50% of patients. These abnormalities cause a functional obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ).

Signs and Symptoms: In achalasia at least half of the patients, they have the symptoms of lower sphincter resting pressure (which is usually known as the pressure in the lower sphincter when the patient is not swallowing) also is abnormally high. In addition to the abnormalities of the lower sphincter, the muscle lower half to two-thirds of the body of the esophagus show abnormalities in contraction.

Disease statistics:The prevalence of Achalasia in brazil populations varies from 6 to 44%, according to age, race, frequency of type.  It has been reported that the prevalence of Achalasia in 43% of the patients and demonstrated clear predominance of Achalasia in both men and women irrespective of sex.