Achalasia is a rare disorder in which damaged nerves in the esophagus prevent it from performing its normal functions, such as moving food into the stomach. As a result of the nerve damage in achalasia, the esophagus gradually becomes paralyzed, eventually leading to the loss of the ability to pass food into the stomach. Because of this, food collects in the esophagus, which, in some cases, can ferment and splash back into the mouth. In some cases, this can be mistaken for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD); however, in GERD the material comes from the stomach, whereas in achalasia the food is coming from the esophagus. There is no cure for achalasia. Once the muscles of the esophagus are paralyzed, they cannot function normally again. However, symptoms can usually be managed through minimally invasive therapies, endoscopy, or surgery.