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achalasia
(ak″ә-la´zhә)
failure to relax of the smooth muscle fibers of the gastrointestinal tract at a junction between one part and another; this is most common in the lower esophagus, which
may not relax with swallowing, because of degeneration of ganglion cells in the wall of the organ. The cause is unknown, but
anxiety and emotional tension seem to aggravate the problem and cause attacks. As achalasia progresses, there is dilatation
(megaesophagus) above the constriction and loss of peristalsis in a large part of the esophagus. The patient has progressive dysphagia, a feeling of fullness in the sternal region, and frequently nausea and vomiting.
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