Managing Esophageal Motility Disorders (EMDs)
Esophageal Center at RWJ University Hospital New Brunswick
Esophageal motility disorders are conditions where the esophagus does not function properly, failing to deliver food and liquids to the stomach. EMDs may be caused by esophageal spasms or by failure of the muscles to contract.
There are several types of EMDs, including:
- Achalasia
- Spastic Esophageal Motility Disorders
- Esophageal Scleroderma
Spastic Esophageal Motility Disorders
Spastic EMDs are rare, and often occur in patients between the age of 60 and 80. It is not certain what causes spasms but they appear to be associated with other esophageal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and achalasia. Other factors can increase the risk of esophageal spasms, including high blood pressure, anxiety, depression or consuming very hot or very cold food and beverages.
There are several types of spastic EMDs:
- Diffuse esophageal spasm—painful, uncoordinated esophageal muscle spasms that cause non-cardiac chest pain and swallowing difficulties.
- Nutcracker esophagus—muscles spasms that occur at regular, coordinated intervals. The spasms tend to be excessively strong, causing non-cardiac chest pain and occasional swallowing difficulties.
- Hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter—occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter muscle is contracted, causing difficulty swallowing, non-cardiac chest pain, heartburn and regurgitation.
- Nonspecific EMD—this disorder contains symptoms of various esophageal motility disorders but does not match one pattern distinctively.
Esophageal Scleroderma
Esophageal scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks itself, causing scarring and thickening of the esophageal tissue. This can result in weakened sphincter muscles and the abnormally slow movement of food and beverages to the stomach.
Treatment for Esophageal Motility Disorders
The Esophageal Center at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) offers both endoscopic and surgical approaches to the management of esophageal motility disorders including peroral endoscopy myotomy (POEM), esophageal dilation and Heller myotomy.
Call to schedule an appointment today with one of our physicians to see what treatment is best for your condition. 732-235-8970.
