ACHALASIA

Course overview

ACHALASIA IS AN ESOPHAGEAL SMOOTH MUSCLE MOTILITY DISORDER THAT OCCURS DUE TO A FAILURE OF RELAXATION OF THE LOWER ESOPHAGEAL SPHINCTER. THIS CONDITION CAUSES A FUNCTIONAL OBSTRUCTION AT THE GASTROESOPHAGEAL JUNCTION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE ETIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND TREATMENT OF THIS CONDITION, AND HIGHLIGHTS THE NEED FOR COLLABORATION AMONGST INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM MEMBERS TO IMPROVE CARE COORDINATION AND IN TURN IMPROVE THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF THIS CONDITION, LEADING TO BETTER OUTCOMES FOR PATIENTS WITH ACHALASIA.