Achalasia vs. Scleroderma — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 19, 2024
Achalasia is a disorder affecting the esophagus, causing difficulty swallowing due to muscle and nerve issues. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease causing skin and connective tissue hardening, potentially affecting internal organs, including esophagus.
Difference Between Achalasia and Scleroderma
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Achalasia primarily affects the esophagus, leading to difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and regurgitation of food. This condition results from the degeneration of nerve cells in the esophageal wall, causing the esophageal muscles to lose the ability to move food toward the stomach efficiently. Scleroderma, on the other hand, is a systemic autoimmune disease that leads to hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues. It can affect various internal organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the digestive tract, including the esophagus, causing similar swallowing difficulties.
Achalasia is specifically related to the malfunction of the esophageal muscles and the lower esophageal sphincter, which fails to relax properly, making it hard for food and liquids to pass into the stomach. Scleroderma can cause esophageal involvement by leading to fibrosis and atrophy of the smooth muscles, affecting the motility of the esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter, but it is one aspect of a broader systemic condition.
The onset of achalasia is typically gradual and can occur at any age, though it is more common in middle-aged adults. Symptoms worsen over time without treatment. Scleroderma usually manifests in adults between the ages of 30 and 50 and is more common in women. It can have a wide range of symptoms, from mild skin changes to severe organ dysfunction.
Diagnosis of achalasia often involves esophageal manometry, which measures the muscle contractions in the esophagus. Barium swallow X-rays and endoscopy are also used. For scleroderma, diagnosis might involve blood tests for specific antibodies, skin biopsies, and imaging tests to assess organ involvement.
Treatment for achalasia may include pneumatic dilation, surgical myotomy, or medications to relax the lower esophageal sphincter. Scleroderma treatment focuses on managing symptoms and may involve immunosuppressive drugs, physical therapy, and medications to manage specific organ complications.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Effect
Esophagus, causing swallowing difficulties
Skin and connective tissues, potentially affecting multiple organs
Cause
Degeneration of nerve cells in the esophagus
Autoimmune reaction causing fibrosis
Age of Onset
Any age, more common in middle-aged adults
Typically 30-50 years, more common in women
Diagnostic Methods
Esophageal manometry, barium swallow, endoscopy
Blood tests, skin biopsy, imaging tests
Treatment
Pneumatic dilation, surgical myotomy, medications
Immunosuppressive drugs, symptom management
Compare with Definitions
Achalasia
Degeneration of nerves in the esophagus causing muscle dysfunction.
Achalasia can cause significant discomfort and chest pain.
Scleroderma
Connective tissue disease that may affect the esophagus.
Scleroderma caused difficulty swallowing due to esophageal involvement.
Achalasia
A rare disease affecting esophageal function.
Achalasia requires medical intervention to manage symptoms.
Scleroderma
An autoimmune disease causing skin and connective tissue hardening.
Scleroderma led to noticeable skin thickening and stiffness.
Achalasia
Impaired relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter.
Due to achalasia, the lower esophageal sphincter fails to open properly.
Scleroderma
A disease involving immune system dysregulation.
Treatment for scleroderma often includes immunosuppressive therapy.
Achalasia
A chronic esophageal motility disorder.
Doctors used a manometry test to diagnose achalasia.
Scleroderma
Systemic sclerosis affecting multiple organs.
The scleroderma patient experienced joint pain and fatigue.
Achalasia
A condition where the esophagus loses the ability to move food toward the stomach.
The patient with achalasia struggled to swallow solid foods.
Scleroderma
A chronic condition characterized by fibrosis.
Scleroderma can lead to severe complications in internal organs.
Achalasia
The failure of a ring of muscle fibers, such as a sphincter of the esophagus, to relax.
Scleroderma
Scleroderma is a group of autoimmune diseases that may result in changes to the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The disease can be either localized to the skin or involve other organs, as well.
Achalasia
(medicine) A neuromuscular condition where a ring of muscles is unable to relax fully, causing obstruction of a lumen, as:
Scleroderma
A pathological thickening and hardening of the skin.
Achalasia
(usually and especially) Such obstruction in the esophagus: esophageal achalasia.
Scleroderma
(medicine) A chronic systemic autoimmune disease characterized by hardening the skin or other organs through excessive deposits of collagen.
Achalasia
(occasionally) Such obstruction due to impairment of other gastrointestinal tract smooth muscles.
Scleroderma
A disease of adults, characterized by a diffuse rigidity and hardness of the skin.
Scleroderma
An autoimmune disease that affects the blood vessels and connective tissue; fibrous connective tissue is deposited in the skin
Scleroderma
Genus of poisonous fungi having hard-skinned fruiting bodies: false truffles
Common Curiosities
How does achalasia affect swallowing?
Achalasia affects swallowing by causing the esophageal muscles to malfunction and the lower esophageal sphincter to fail to relax properly.
What is achalasia?
Achalasia is a disorder where the esophagus loses the ability to move food toward the stomach, causing difficulty swallowing.
What are the main symptoms of achalasia?
Main symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, regurgitation of food, and weight loss.
What is scleroderma?
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that causes hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues, potentially affecting internal organs.
What are common symptoms of scleroderma?
Common symptoms include skin tightening, joint pain, and potential complications in organs such as the lungs, heart, and digestive tract.
Can scleroderma affect the esophagus?
Yes, scleroderma can cause fibrosis of the esophagus, leading to swallowing difficulties.
How is achalasia diagnosed?
Achalasia is diagnosed using esophageal manometry, barium swallow X-rays, and endoscopy.
Can scleroderma be cured?
There is no cure for scleroderma, but treatments can manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
What causes achalasia?
The exact cause of achalasia is unknown, but it involves the degeneration of nerve cells in the esophageal wall.
How is scleroderma diagnosed?
Scleroderma is diagnosed through blood tests for specific antibodies, skin biopsies, and imaging tests to assess organ involvement.
What treatments are available for achalasia?
Treatments include pneumatic dilation, surgical myotomy, and medications to relax the lower esophageal sphincter.
Who is at risk for scleroderma?
Scleroderma is more common in women and typically occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
What causes scleroderma?
Scleroderma is caused by an autoimmune response that leads to overproduction of collagen, resulting in fibrosis.
Is achalasia a progressive disease?
Yes, achalasia is progressive and symptoms worsen over time without treatment.
What treatments are available for scleroderma?
Treatments focus on managing symptoms and may include immunosuppressive drugs, physical therapy, and medications for specific organ complications.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
