Talk:Achalasia

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GERD isn't really a complication of Achalasia, it's a complication that can result after treatment of Achalasia. Some Achalasia patients also have GERD but they are separate conditions. Sorceress_Jade 10:53pm PST December 2, 2005


Under complications, I removed the percentages of achalasia patients who develop Barrett's and esophageal cancer, which had been flagged as needing a reference. In fact there are many references to increased risk in the literature, but when any statistics are included regarding the amount of increase, it tends to be a range rather than a specific percentage. See for example http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a748020945~db=all Sssuuuzzzaaannn 18:32, 1 May 2007 (UTC)

It appears this condition does not receive the attention it deserves. As a sufferer I would hope someone would oome up with a better option than than the few that are available. Recently I discovered that Cialis helps, and it does! However it may not be a long term solution. Whilst some people may smile that one takes viagra to help a problem with the throat, the seriousness of my long term prognosis doesn't make me smile. What is the chances of gene therapy to solve this condition? If in the UK we can make certain blind people see using this method then surely there may be an option to use this method on achalasia.Any expert view/contacts welcome.

Contents

[edit] HRQOL

doi:10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03423.x JFW | T@lk 23:25, 2 July 2007 (UTC)

Someone at Blackwell forgot to press the DOI button. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03423.x is the relevant URL. JFW | T@lk 21:08, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Nosology and stem cells

I have deleted the comment regarding a proposal by O.A. Stiennon that "achalasia is not actually a unique disease, but a subset of hiatus hernia with special characteristics." This comment was apparently posted by Stiennon himself or a relative, and the reference website was promoting sales of his book on this subject. This idea is not a generally accepted opinion among medical professionals, and including it here is not suitable for an encyclopedic article.Sssuuuzzzaaannn 18:44, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

Is Stiennon a widely acknowledged expert? If not: Retry, Abort, [Ignore]. JFW | T@lk 21:08, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

To Jfdwolff: Some very preliminary research on the use of stem cells as a possible eventual treatment for achalasia is being done by P. Pasricha and M. Micci at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.Sssuuuzzzaaannn 18:44, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

URL please? I know achalasia is an unpleasant lifelong condition, but... stem cells?!? JFW | T@lk 21:08, 26 May 2008 (UTC)

[edit] ICC cells

doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2007.01667.x - ICC cells are depleted in achalasia. JFW | T@lk 00:20, 9 December 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Rewrite and stuff

I'm rewriting the page with references for as much as I can find. In the process I may temporarily remove content that I can't reference.

I removed "complications" (no source, contradicted by other sources):

  1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn.
  2. Achalasia patients have an increased risk of developing Barrett's esophagus or Barrett's mucosa, a premalignant condition which may lead to esophageal cancer over a period of years.
  3. Aspiration pneumonia: Food and liquid, including saliva, are retained in the esophagus and may be inhaled into the lungs, especially while sleeping in a horizontal position.

I realise that my main source is 10 years old, and I will ensure that the treatment section is more up-to-date. JFW | T@lk 20:54, 26 May 2008 (UTC)