Achalasia

Achalasia is a rare esophageal motility disorder characterized by impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and loss of peristalsis, leading to difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), food regurgitation, chest pain, and unintended weight loss. Symptoms progress gradually, often starting with intermittent solid-food dysphagia and advancing to persistent difficulty even with liquids. Food stagnation in the dilated esophagus may cause nocturnal coughing or aspiration pneumonia. Diagnosis relies on high-resolution manometry (gold standard), barium swallow ("bird's beak" sign), and endoscopy to exclude malignancy.

Stenosis

Gastrointestinal stenosis refers to abnormal narrowing of the digestive tract, which can occur in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or colon due to benign (e.g., inflammation, congenital anomalies) or malignant causes. Common symptoms include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), vomiting, abdominal pain, and unintended weight loss, depending on the affected site. Diagnosis involves endoscopy, barium studies, or cross-sectional imaging to evaluate the stricture’s location and severity.