Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Achalasia) that could possibly cause Achalasia includes:
The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Achalasia that are listed by the Diseases Database:
Source: Diseases DatabaseConditions listing Achalasia as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Achalasia. Our database lists the following as having Achalasia as a symptom of that condition:
As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Achalasia may be found in:
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Achalasia.
Esophageal diverticula are due to primary muscular abnormalities that may be congenital or to inflammatory processes adjacent to the esophagus. Zenker’s diverticulum occurs when the pouch results from increased intraesophageal pressure; traction diverticulum occurs when the pouch is pulled out by adjacent inflamed tissue or lymph nodes. Some authorities classify all diverticula as traction diverticula.
Zenker’s diverticulum results from developmental muscular weakness of the posterior pharynx above the border of the cricopharyngeal muscle. The pressure of swallowing aggravates this weakness, as does contraction of the pharynx before relaxation of the sphincter. A midesophageal (traction) diverticulum is a response to scarring and pulling on esophageal walls by an external inflammatory process such as tuberculosis. An epiphrenic diverticulum (rare) is generally right-sided and usually accompanies an esophageal motor disturbance, such as esophageal spasm or achalasia. It’s thought to be caused by traction and pulsation.
Most diverticula occur in middle-aged and elderly patients. Zenker’s diverticula most commonly in patients older than age 50 and are especially prevalent in patients in their 70s and 80s.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Esophageal diverticula are caused by either primary muscle abnormalities that may be congenital or inflammatory processes adjacent to the esophagus.
When the pouch results from increased intraesophageal pressure, Zenker’s diverticulum occurs. It’s caused by developmental muscle weakness of the posterior pharynx above the border of the cricopharyngeal muscle. The pressure of swallowing aggravates this weakness, as does contraction of the pharynx before relaxation of the sphincter.
When the pouch is pulled out by adjacent inflamed tissue or lymph nodes, a midesophageal (traction) diverticulum occurs. It’s a response to scarring and pulling on esophageal walls by an external inflammatory process such as tuberculosis. It’s diagnosed as an incidental finding on a barium esophagogram and is usually asymptomatic. No specific treatment is indicated.
This diverticulum occurs within the distal 4" (10 cm) of the esophagus. It’s a pulsion diverticulum that’s caused by abnormally elevated pressure within the lumen of the esophagus.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
The pathophysiology of EE is unknown; however, it has been linked to an allergic response to food antigens that does not follow a typical IgE mediated pattern. As of 2003, the incidence and prevalence of EE in children 0–19 years of age is thought to be respectively 1 and 4.3 per 10,000 children.
Source: The 5-Minute Pediatric Consult, 2008
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