Achalasia
Achalasia is a condition in which food and liquids have difficulty passing through the esophagus, the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
When nerves in the esophagus are injured, achalasia ensues. To put it another way, over time, as the esophagus becomes more dilapidated it becomes paralyzed and unable to squeeze food into the stomach. In the esophagus, food can rot and wash back up, making for an unpleasant taste. This has been misdiagnosed as gastroesophageal reflux illness (GERD). Achalasia, on the other hand, is caused by a blockage in the esophagus, whereas GERD is caused by a blockage in the stomach.
Achalasia is a disease that has no cure. The muscle in the esophagus cannot function correctly again once it has been paralyzed. Endoscopy, minimally invasive therapy, and surgery are all effective treatments for most complaints.
Symptoms
In most cases, the symptoms of achalasia begin to manifest gradually, and then deteriorate over time. Symptoms and signs include:
- When food or liquid becomes trapped in your throat, you have dysphagia (inability to swallow).
- Regurgitating food or saliva
- Heartburn
- Belching
- Chest pain that comes and goes
- Coughing at night
- A chest infection called pneumonitis (from aspiration of food into the lungs)
- Weight loss
- Vomiting
Causes
Achalasia’s specific cause is unknown. It’s possible that nerve cells in the esophagus have been damaged. Viruses and autoimmune reactions have been suggested as probable causes of this. A genetic disease or infection are the most unlikely causes of achalasia.
Treatment
Many patients prefer the POEM procedure over other treatments for achalasia, such as pneumatic dilation, Heller myotomy, or peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEMS).
Health issues of Achalasia
Achalasia can lead to a number of major health issues if left untreated, including:
- Megaesophagus. The esophagus has become big and weak as a result of this condition.
- Esophagitis. Your esophagus may be inflamed and irritated.
- Esophageal perforation. If the walls of your esophagus become too weak from accumulated food. In the case that this occurs, you’ll require immediate medical attention to avoid infection.
- Aspiration pneumonia. When food and liquid debris from your esophagus enter your lungs, you’ll experience coughing and wheezing.
To book an appointment, please visit or call us on 718-DORAL-55. At Doral Health and Wellness, we have doctors that can help you manage your condition. For more information, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690 or 1-347-868-1016. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.