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Acalasia - Overview

Nombres alternativos

Acalasia esofágica

Definición:

Es un trastorno del tubo que lleva el alimento de la boca al estómago (esófago), el cual afecta la capacidad del esófago para movilizar el alimento hacia este último.

Causas, incidencia y factores de riesgo:

Un anillo muscular en el punto donde el esófago y el estómago se unen (esfínter esofágico inferior) normalmente se relaja durante la deglución. En personas con acalasia, este anillo muscular no se relaja tan bien. La razón para este problema es el daño a los nervios del esófago.

Cáncer del esófago o de la parte superior del estómago y una infección parasitaria que causa la enfermedad de Chagas pueden tener síntomas como los de la acalasia.

La acalasia es un trastorno poco común y puede presentarse a cualquier edad, pero es más común en personas de mediana edad o adultos mayores. Este problema puede ser hereditario en algunas personas.

  • Reviewed last on: 1/20/2010
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Orlando RC. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello DA, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 140.

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