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A condition in which the muscles of the lower part of the oesophagus fail to relax, preventing food from passing into the stomach.
‘The symptoms of achalasia are usually very characteristic.’
‘The diagnostic studies confirmed the initial impression that the patient has an esophageal motility disorder, demonstrating classical findings of achalasia.’
‘If endoscopy shows no obvious abnormality a diagnosis of a primary motility disturbance of the oesophagus such as achalasia should be considered.’
‘Patients with achalasia typically present with dysphagia to solids and liquids.’
‘This case also illustrates the therapeutic dilemma if surgery fails in patients with achalasia.’
Origin
Early 20th century: from a- ‘without, not’ + Greek khalasis ‘loosening’ (from khalan ‘relax’) + -ia.