Achalsia
The esophagus is the channel that leads from the throat to the stomach. (Ferguson, M., 2000, pg. 1). The walls of the esophagus propel food to the stomach with rhythmic waves of muscular contractions called peristalsis. Where the throat connects to the esophagus, there is a band of muscle called the upper esophageal sphincter. Slightly above the juncture of the esophagus and the stomach, there is another band of muscle called the lower esophageal sphincter. When the esophagus is not in use, these sphincters contract so that food and stomach acid don’t flow up from the stomach to the mouth. During swallowing, the sphincters relax so food can pass to the stomach. If these muscular contractions do not function properly, or if they become dis-coordinated or weak, it interferes with the movement of food from the throat to the stomach. The resulting condition is called a motility disorder (Ferguson, M., 2000, p. 1). Motility disorders make it difficult to swallow, cause regurgitation of food and, in some cases, causes spasmodic pain. Achalasia is one of the many motility disorders of the esophagus in which the pressure at the lower esophageal sphincter is abnormally high and does not relax with swallowing (Fer
Regardless of which of the three types of treatment is chosen, patient’s eating practices will be different than before. The reason for this is because the lower esophageal sphincter has been permanently damaged. Food may get stuck in the esophagus and they will not be able to eat or drink while in a prone position. However, due to the success of treatment, patients should be able to enjoy their meals without undue stress, regain the weight they have lost, and sleep normally again (Lifespan, 2002, p. 1). Achalasia is an uncommon disorder in the United States, affecting men and women equally. This disorder is rare in children. There does not appear to be any genetic basis for this disease, and there is no particular race or ethnic group that is affected more than others are (Ferguson, M., 2000, p. 2). At this time, physicians do not know the underlying cause for this condition. When testing for achalasia, a test called manometry may be used (Ferguson, M., 2000, p. 3). During this test, a small tube is inserted into the patient’s nose and passed into the stomach. As it gradually is removed, the patient is told to swallow sips of water. This swallowing motion allows the health care professional to measure the pressures inside the esophagus indicating a lack of contractions, increased closing pressure of the lower sphincter, as well as incomplete opening of the sphincter when the patient swallows. Another method of medical evaluation is by x-ray of the esophagus, which is taken while the patient is swallowing barium (Claym
Some topics in this essay:
,
ferguson 2000,
esophageal sphincter,
lower esophageal sphincter,
lower esophageal,
2000 3,
ferguson 2000 3,
esophagus stomach,
ferguson 2000 2,
2000 2,
food pass,
lower sphincter,
motility disorders,
pain shoulder pain,
pass esophagus stomach,
difficult swallow,
Join now to see the rest of the essay!
Approximate Word count = 1046
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
Example Essays Home
