Achalasia is a motility disorder that affects muscle function in the esophagus. Normally when a person swallows, there is a reflex to immediately relax the lower esophageal sphincter (the valve at the bottom of the esophagus that opens so contents can drain into the stomach) as the muscles in the esophagus begin to squeeze food down from the top.
Dysphagia means difficulty swallowing food or liquids. There are many causes, including problems in the coordination or strength of the swallowing muscles, inflammatory conditions, benign narrowings of the esophagus called strictures, and cancers. At the University of Michigan’s Esophageal Disorders Program, our multidisciplinary team has broad experience diagnosis and treating dysphagia, with comprehensive diagnostic testing and a robust clinical research program.
Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is inflammation of the esophagus (swallowing tube) that is related to allergies. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that is involved in allergic reactions. At the University of Michigan’s Esophageal Disorders Program, our multidisciplinary team has broad experience diagnosing and treating eosinophilic esophagitis, through diagnostic testing, therapies that are not widely available and a dedicated nutritionist with expertise in eliminating trigger foods.
The Gastroenterology Division at the University of Michigan provides specialized diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and services to diagnose and treat patients with a wide variety of gastrointestinal disorders. These services are all provided through the multidisciplinary Medical Procedures Unit, which is located in University Hospital. We perform approximately 15,000 procedures per year.
