Achalasia Cardia

Achalasia Cardia is a rare esophageal motility disorder characterized by the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax properly, leading to dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), regurgitation, and chest pain. Key clinical points include: 1) It primarily affects adults aged 25-60, though it can occur at any age. 2) The exact etiology remains unclear, but it is believed to involve degeneration of the ganglion cells in the myenteric plexus. 3) Patients often present with progressive dysphagia for solids and liquids, weight loss, and possible aspiration pneumonia due to food regurgitation. Typical use cases for the ICD-10 code K22.0 include outpatient gastroenterology visits, pre-operative evaluations for surgical interventions like Heller myotomy, and follow-up care for symptom management. The pathophysiology involves increased resting tone of the LES and impaired peristalsis in the esophagus, leading to esophageal dilation over time. Clinical presentation often includes a classic triad of dysphagia, regurgitation, and weight loss, necessitating thorough evaluation and management.