It causes dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain and weight loss.
Females aged 30-50 are most commonly affected.
Investigation is with oesophageal manometry and barium swallow.
The barium swallow should show a characteristic 'birds beak' appearance (image below is from wiki commons):
Treatment is with balloon dilation or hellers cardiomyotomy. Nifedipine may be temporarily helpful.
A rare and late complication of achalsia can be squamous carcinoma.
Now on to battle 21.6, which is short but sure to make you itch...
