What is the Difference Between Achalasia and GERD

The key difference between achalasia and GERD is that achalasia is a stomach disorder characterized by esophageal aperistalis and non-relaxation of the lower sphincter, which makes it difficult to swallow food and drink, while GERD is a stomach disorder characterized by reflux of gastric content, which causes heartburn and indigestion.

Achalasia and GERD are two stomach conditions. Both these stomach conditions are affected by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Moreover, these two stomach conditions may also have similar symptoms. Normally, achalasia affects 1 in 100,000 Americans, while GERD affects 1 in 5 Americans.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Achalasia 
3. What is GERD
4. Similarities – Achalasia and GERD
5. Achalasia vs GERD in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Achalasia vs GERD

What is Achalasia?

Achalasia is a rare disorder that is characterized by esophageal aperistalis and non-relaxation of the lower sphincter. Achalasia makes it difficult for food and liquid to travel through the wallowing tube that connects the mouth and stomach. It usually starts when nerves in the esophagus become damaged. Due to this, the esophagus becomes paralyzed and dilated over time. Eventually, the esophagus loses the ability to squeeze food down into the stomach. Achalasia causes food to collect in the esophagus. Sometimes, food ferment and wash back up into the mouth, which tastes bitter. The symptoms of achalasia include the inability to swallow (dysphagia), regurgitating food or saliva, heartburn, belching, chest pain that comes and goes, coughing at night, pneumonia, weight loss, and vomiting.

Achalasia can be diagnosed through esophageal manometry, X-rays of the upper digestive system (esophagram), and upper endoscopy. Furthermore, there are two types of treatment options used to treat achalasia: non-surgical and surgical. The non-surgical treatment options include pneumatic dilation, botox (botulinum toxin type A), and medications (muscle relaxants such as nitroglycerin or nifeddipine). The surgical treatments include Heller myotomy and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).

What is GERD?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a disorder that is characterized by reflux of gastric contents, which causes heartburn and indigestion. It happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak or relaxes when it should not. This lets the stomach’s content flow back into the esophagus. The symptoms of GERD include a burning sensation in the stomach, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, regurgitation of food or sour liquid, the sensation of a lump in the throat, chronic cough, laryngitis, and new or worsening asthma condition, and disrupted sleep.

GERD can be diagnosed through a review of medical history, physical examination, upper endoscopy, ambulatory acid (pH) probe test, esophageal manometry, and X-ray of the upper digestive system. Furthermore, treatments for GERD may include over-the-counter medications (antacids, H2 receptor blockers, proton pump inhibitors, and baclofen) and surgery fundoplication, LINX devices, and transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF).

What are the Similarities Between Achalasia and GERD?

• Achalasia and GERD are two stomach conditions.
• Both these stomach conditions are affected by the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
• They may have similar symptoms.
• They can be treated through specific medications and surgeries.

What is the Difference Between Achalasia and GERD?

Achalasia is a stomach disorder that is characterized by esophageal aperistalis and non-relaxation of the lower sphincter, which makes it difficult to swallow food and drink, while GERD is a stomach disorder that is characterized by reflux of gastric contents, which causes heartburn and indigestion. Thus, this is the key difference between achalasia and GERD. Furthermore, achalasia is caused when nerves in the esophagus become damaged, making the esophagus paralyzed and dilated over time. On the other hand, GERD happens when the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is weak or relaxes when it should not.

The below infographic presents the differences between achalasia and GERD in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

Summary – Achalasia vs GERD

Achalasia and GERD are two stomach conditions. Achalasia is characterized by esophageal aperistalis and non-relaxation of the lower sphincter, which makes it difficult to swallow food and drink, while GERD is characterized by reflux of gastric contents, which causes heartburn and indigestion. So, this is the key difference between achalasia and GERD.

Reference:

1. “Achalasia.” NHS Choices, NHS.
2. “Gerd: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, Remedies for Relief.” WebMD.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Achalasia” (CC0) via Pixabay
2. “GERD” By BruceBlaus – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia