Achalasia in the upper esophagus

[Guest guest]

I've always been told that the kind of esophageal achalasia I have

effects the entire organ. And now that it is 'end-stage' the entire

organ has stopped functioning. Probably sticking my foot in my mouth

again (hell, it wouldn't go down anyhow). But I'm sure I'll be

corrected 'for long if I mispeak. Apparently with vigorous

achalasia the upper esophagus can contract and 'close up'. I think I

have the vigorous type but also after sustaining much pain with awful

contractions the muscle just started to die and become completely

relaxed and hypotonic (no contractions at all). Here's a definition

of 'Vigorous achalasia' from a medical

(website.http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/cache/-758120416.htm) (Not my

own so don't be too harsh on me.)

Vigorous achalasia is a condition that resembles achalasia in that

the lower oesophageal sphincter is hypertonic, but the oesophageal

body also shows high amplitude, long-duration contractions. This may

produce chest pain and dysphagia.

Drug therapy and pneumatic dilatation are of little benefit in this

condition; cardiomyotomy may show better results.

>

> > " upper esophageal achalasia " should be considered as a

> >possibility. Does anyone have any idea what they mean by that?

Can A

> >only affect the upper part of the esophagus?

> >

> >

> Usually, what is called simply " achalasia " in this group

is " achalasia

> of the lower esophageal sphincter " . The classic version of this

> achalasia does not affect the upper part of the esophagus. There is

also

> " achalasia of the upper esophageal sphincter " (see also

cricopharyngeal

> achalasia). Perhaps one of these is the possibility in question

>

> notan.

[Guest guest]

I think you are absolutely correct in your description. I have been

diagnosed for 4 years but had symptoms for close to 20. My doctor

also explained to me that it may progress to the point the esophagus

completely stops functioning and can become a hindrance (your point

now I expect), My E has no perceptible perstalsis at all either and

is quite stretched but is still quite straight. I too had a lot of

pain and trouble with getting things past the back of my throat a few

years ago. It now just goes down but then goes nowhere and often

just comes back up, equally unpleasant but less painful.

thanks

Liz

> >

> > > " upper esophageal achalasia " should be considered as a

> > >possibility. Does anyone have any idea what they mean by that?

> Can A

> > >only affect the upper part of the esophagus?

> > >

> > >

> > Usually, what is called simply " achalasia " in this group

> is " achalasia

> > of the lower esophageal sphincter " . The classic version of this

> > achalasia does not affect the upper part of the esophagus. There

is

> also

> > " achalasia of the upper esophageal sphincter " (see also

> cricopharyngeal

> > achalasia). Perhaps one of these is the possibility in question

> >

> > notan.

[Guest guest]

Thank you all for the information! Now, we can ask more informed and

more specific questions when my husband is seen at Cleveland Clinic.

When my husband has a bad day (or night), I know that he can't swallow

(even water comes back up), but we don't really know if it's the

esophagus " closing up " or the LES not opening. When I've tried to

explain his condition to friends, I've used the description that when

he has spasms, the muscles close off the " tube " that is the esophagus.

I'm not sure if that was entirely accurate, but now I'm curious to

see if maybe it is! I had my friends believing it, anyway! Thanks

again and have a great day!

> >

> > > " upper esophageal achalasia " should be considered as a

> > >possibility. Does anyone have any idea what they mean by that?

> Can A

> > >only affect the upper part of the esophagus?

> > >

> > >

> > Usually, what is called simply " achalasia " in this group

> is " achalasia

> > of the lower esophageal sphincter " . The classic version of this

> > achalasia does not affect the upper part of the esophagus. There is

> also

> > " achalasia of the upper esophageal sphincter " (see also

> cricopharyngeal

> > achalasia). Perhaps one of these is the possibility in question

> >

> > notan.

[Guest guest]

let45ride <brendacoyle@...> wrote:

Thank you all for the information! Now, we can ask more informed andmore specific questions when my husband is seen at Cleveland Clinic. When my husband has a bad day (or night), I know that he can't swallow(even water comes back up), but we don't really know if it's theesophagus "closing up" or the LES not opening. When I've tried toexplain his condition to friends, I've used the description that whenhe has spasms, the muscles close off the "tube" that is the esophagus.I'm not sure if that was entirely accurate, but now I'm curious tosee if maybe it is! I had my friends believing it, anyway! Thanksagain and have a great day!> > > > >"upper esophageal achalasia" should be considered as a> > >possibility. Does anyone have any idea what they mean by that? > Can A> > >only affect the upper part of the esophagus?> > > > > >> > Usually, what is called simply "achalasia" in this group > is "achalasia > > of the lower esophageal sphincter". The classic version of this > > achalasia does not affect the upper part of the esophagus. There is > also > >

"achalasia of the upper esophageal sphincter" (see also > cricopharyngeal > > achalasia). Perhaps one of these is the possibility in question> > > > notan.

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