CARDIOSPASM Meaning and
Definition
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Cardiospasm, also known as achalasia cardia or esophageal achalasia, is a medical condition characterized by the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax properly during swallowing, resulting in difficulty in food and liquid passing from the esophagus into the stomach.
In cardiospasm, the involuntary muscles of the esophagus and the LES do not function properly due to nerve damage or degeneration. This condition often causes symptoms such as chest pain, regurgitation of food, difficulty swallowing, and heartburn. The exact cause of cardiospasm is not fully understood, but it is thought to be an autoimmune disorder or a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The diagnosis of cardiospasm is usually made based on a combination of the patient's symptoms, radiological tests, and specialized esophageal motility studies. Treatment for cardiospasm depends on the severity of the condition. Mild cases can often be managed with lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and avoiding certain trigger foods. Medications that relax the LES can also be used. In more severe cases, surgical interventions, such as laparoscopic Heller myotomy or pneumatic dilation, may be necessary to relieve the obstruction and improve esophageal motility.
In summary, cardiospasm is a medical condition characterized by the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax properly during swallowing, leading to difficulty in the passage of food and liquid from the esophagus to the stomach. Proper diagnosis and management of this condition are crucial for alleviating symptoms and improving the patient's quality of life.
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1. Spasmodic action of the heart. 2. Spasmodic contraction of the cardiac end of the stomach or of the adjoining portion of the esophagus.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for CARDIOSPASM
- xardiospasm
- vardiospasm
- fardiospasm
- dardiospasm
- czrdiospasm
- csrdiospasm
- cwrdiospasm
- cqrdiospasm
- caediospasm
- caddiospasm
- cafdiospasm
- catdiospasm
- ca5diospasm
- ca4diospasm
- carsiospasm
- carxiospasm
- carciospasm
- carfiospasm
- carriospasm
Etymology of CARDIOSPASM
The word "cardiospasm" has its roots in two different etymological sources: "cardio-" and "-spasm".
1. "Cardio-" comes from the Greek word "kardía" (καρδία), meaning "heart". It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "(s)kerd-", which also gives rise to words like "cordial", "cardiac", and "cardiology". In medical terminology, "cardio-" generally refers to the heart or cardiovascular system.
2. "-Spasm" comes from the Greek word "spasmos" (σπασμός), meaning "cramp" or "convulsion". It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*sp(h)end-", which means "to pull" or "to jerk".
Similar spelling words for CARDIOSPASM
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