Key Takeaways
- Achalasia and GERD share symptoms like dysphagia and regurgitation, but the underlying causes are opposite: achalasia involves a failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax, while GERD is caused by a weakened LES that relaxes too often.
- Key differences in symptoms include the nature of the regurgitation (undigested food with achalasia vs. acidic fluid with GERD) and the type of chest pain (spasms with achalasia vs. burning with GERD).
- An accurate diagnosis is crucial as treatments for achalasia and GERD are very different and can even worsen the other condition if misapplied.
- Newtown Gastroenterology provides expert GI care in New York City. If you're experiencing esophageal symptoms, schedule an appointment for an accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment.
Distinguishing Between Achalasia and GERD
Many people are familiar with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a common condition where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus. However, a much rarer disorder called achalasia can present with surprisingly similar symptoms, often leading to confusion and misdiagnosis.
While both conditions affect the esophagus and can cause significant discomfort, their causes and treatments are fundamentally different. Understanding the subtle distinctions in their symptoms is the first step toward getting the correct diagnosis and effective relief. Newtown Gastroenterology is dedicated to helping patients in New York City navigate these complexities.
What is Achalasia?
Achalasia is a rare and serious swallowing disorder that affects the esophagus. It occurs when the nerves in the esophagus are damaged. As a result, the lower esophageal sphincter (LES)—the muscular ring connecting the esophagus to the stomach—fails to relax and open during swallowing. This failure prevents food and liquid from passing easily into the stomach, causing it to back up in the esophagus.
What is GERD?
GERD is a more common digestive disorder. It happens when a weakened LES relaxes inappropriately, allowing stomach acid and contents to flow back (reflux) into the esophagus. This acid reflux irritates the lining of the esophagus, causing the classic symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation.
Achalasia vs. GERD: A Symptom Comparison
While symptoms can overlap, paying attention to the specific nature of your discomfort can provide important clues. The providers at Newtown Gastroenterology are experts at interpreting these differences to guide your diagnosis.
Coughing and choking are additional complications that may arise, particularly at night. These symptoms can be caused by regurgitated food, sometimes leading to aspiration pneumonia in severe cases. Chronic dry cough is another related symptom, often occurring at night and caused by acid irritating the throat and airways.
Why an Accurate Diagnosis Matters
Because the causes of achalasia and GERD are opposites—one involves a sphincter that is too tight, the other too loose—their treatments are vastly different. An accurate diagnosis is critical. For instance, medications used to treat GERD, like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), will not resolve the underlying issue in achalasia. Conversely, treatments for achalasia could potentially worsen reflux if misdiagnosed.
Diagnostic procedures such as an upper endoscopy, esophageal manometry, or a barium swallow study are essential to distinguish between the two conditions and ensure you receive the appropriate care plan.
Schedule Your Consultation with Newtown Gastroenterology
Don’t let persistent esophageal symptoms control your life. Understanding whether you're facing achalasia, GERD, or another condition is the key to finding relief.
For expert diagnosis and state-of-the-art treatment, schedule an appointment with Newtown Gastroenterology today. Our team specializes in providing comprehensive GI care and will help you get the answers you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you have achalasia and GERD at the same time?
It is very rare to have both conditions simultaneously, as their underlying mechanisms are contradictory. However, some treatments for achalasia, such as surgery to open the LES, can sometimes lead to the development of GERD as a side effect.
Is achalasia worse than GERD?
Achalasia is generally considered a more serious and complex condition than GERD. It is a progressive disorder that always requires intervention to manage symptoms, whereas many cases of GERD can be managed with lifestyle changes and medication.
How is achalasia diagnosed?
Achalasia is typically diagnosed through a combination of tests. An esophageal manometry, which measures the muscle contractions of the esophagus and the function of the LES, is the gold standard for diagnosis. An upper endoscopy and a barium swallow X-ray are also commonly used.
What happens if achalasia is left untreated?
If left untreated, achalasia can lead to severe complications, including significant weight loss, malnutrition, and a risk of aspiration pneumonia from regurgitated food entering the lungs. Over time, it also slightly increases the risk of developing esophageal cancer.
