Achalasia
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Achalasia
View Originalfigure 1Upper digestive tract
Graphic 55616 Version 4.0
Upper digestive tract
Graphic 55616 Version 4.0
Barium swallow showing achalasia
This figure shows an actual x-ray of someone with achalasia. You can see that the lower esophagus is enlarged compared to the upper part, and that the lower esophageal sphincter is very narrow. The damaged lower esophageal sphincter makes it hard for food and fluid to pass into the stomach.
Graphic 69107 Version 4.0
Barium swallow showing achalasia
This figure shows an actual x-ray of someone with achalasia. You can see that the lower esophagus is enlarged compared to the upper part, and that the lower esophageal sphincter is very narrow. The damaged lower esophageal sphincter makes it hard for food and fluid to pass into the stomach.
Graphic 69107 Version 4.0
Upper endoscopy
During an upper endoscopy, you lie down and the doctor puts a thin tube with a camera and light on the end (called an endoscope) into your mouth and down into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine). The camera sends video pictures from inside your body to a television screen. That way, your doctor can see the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Graphic 75392 Version 3.0
Upper endoscopy
During an upper endoscopy, you lie down and the doctor puts a thin tube with a camera and light on the end (called an endoscope) into your mouth and down into your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (the first part of your small intestine). The camera sends video pictures from inside your body to a television screen. That way, your doctor can see the inside of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
Graphic 75392 Version 3.0