Achalasia - A rare condition of unknown cause in which the muscles at the lower end of the oesophagus and the sphincter (valve) between the oesophagus and the stomach fail to relax to let food into the stomach after swallowing. As a result, the lowest part of the oesophagus is narrowed and becomes blocked with food, while the part above widens.
Symptoms include difficulty and pain with swallowing and pain in the lower chest and upper abdomen. A barium swallow (a type of barium X-ray examination) and gastroscopy may be performed to investigate achalasia. Oesophageal dilatation allows the oesophagus to be widened for long periods. Surgery to cut some of the muscles at the stomach entrance may be necessary.
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