Achalasia

Achalasia is an esophagus disorder that prevents food from flowing from the mouth to the stomach properly.

Achalasia results from the nerves in the esophagus and lower esophageal valve being damaged or destroyed. This results in the esophagus emptying slowly into the stomach. The esophagus does not contract in a coordinated manner and the lower esophageal sphincter does not relax with swallowing.

Symptoms may include:

• Difficulty swallowing solids and liquids
• Feeling of food getting stuck in the throat or chest
• Coughing or choking during meals
• Effortless regurgitation of undigested food 
• Vomiting after or during eating
• Chest pain
• Heartburn
• Weight Loss

Programs + Services

Primary Care

Find a Primary Care Physician near you. With offices in Boston, Framingham, Quincy and Wellesley, our doctors offer health evaluations and management.
More information about programs and services

Esophageal Cancer Clinic

The Esophageal Cancer Clinic at Tufts Medical Center provides coordinated treatment including minimally invasive throat cancer surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy to patients with esophageal cancer.
More information about programs and services