Regarding your first question: Is there different types of "achalasia"
(esophagus motility disorders)?, I would say: yes. At least there are
two types of achalasia: primary achalasia and secondary achalasia. I
took from MedicineNet.com the following comment about that:
"Achalasia is a condition in which the lower esophageal sphincter (the
strip of esophageal muscle that lies at the junction of the oesophagus
or food tube with the stomach) fails after swallows of food to relax
normally to allow the food passing down the oesophagus to enter the
stomach. The condition may occur by itself (primary achalasia) or may
accompany other diseases of the oesophagus (secondary achalasia,
examples of which are cancer or Chagas disease, an infection)."
My suggestion is to have a second opinion. You could, for example, use
the services of the Cleveland Clinic (eCleveland Clinic - Second
opinion http://www.clevelandclinic.org/neuroscience/eccopinions/ ).
In the Cleveland Clinic's website you can read:
"Although achalasia is relatively rare, The Cleveland Clinic treats
approximately two cases every week. Over the last seven years, the
Clinic's Center for Upper GI Disorders has treated more patients with
achalasia than any other center in the United States-and probably the
world. The Clinic also is one of the few centers in the world
diligently researching its cause and treatment."
Source: http://cms.clevelandclinic.org/digestivedisease/body.cfm?id=131
(accessed 20.06.2005).
But be advised about the cost: "The cost of an eCleveland Clinic
MyConsult Remote Second Opinion is $565, payable at the time of the
request with a major credit card or by certified bank check or money
order (from a U.S. bank payable in U.S. funds). If a pathology review
(reading) is required to complete your MyConsult Remote Second
Opinion?as in most cancer-related diagnoses?there is an additional ch
arge of $180 for that review and report." Source:
http://www.eclevelandclinic.org/displayContent.jsp?productId=standard&document=document/pricing
Hope this is of use to you,
Regards,
tateti-ga |
