Achalasia is a digestive system disorder characterized by difficulty swallowing, which prevents the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach. This disease, which mostly affects middle-aged and older adults, can rarely occur in childhood. It can cause chest pain and various effects, especially after a meal. If symptoms persist, it is a health problem that requires attention and treatment.
It is not a common disease, but its symptoms can sometimes be confused with other diseases. For this reason, the person should accurately communicate the symptoms, discomforts and complaints to the specialist.
What are the symptoms of achalasia?
The common symptom that occurs in cases is difficulty swallowing. Most patients complain of a feeling that something is stuck in the throat or esophagus. Difficulty swallowing is also known as dysphagia. Dysphagia can be accompanied by coughing and throat irritation. Symptoms are usually not severe in the beginning. However, the severity and frequency of symptoms may gradually increase. Over time, patients may have difficulty swallowing food.
In addition to these, other achalasia symptoms include
- Painful burning sensation in the chest,
- Heartburn
- Burping,
- Coughing at night
- Weight loss,
- Vomiting
What Causes Achalasia?
Although the causes of achalasia are not known for certain, research on this subject shows that many factors can be effective in the emergence of the disease. One of these risk factors is genetic. Having a history of this disease in family members or having a different stomach disease increases the risk of developing this disease.
In addition, the presence of an autoimmune disease in the person also increases the likelihood of this disease. Other conditions that trigger the disease include viral diseases, esophageal cancer and various parasitic diseases.
How is achalasia diagnosed?
Achalasia is diagnosed with some diagnostic methods applied to the patient by gastroenterology specialists. Since the disease has symptoms similar to various digestive disorders, it is important that the patient accurately conveys his/her complaints and symptoms to the specialist during the examination. The patient's history is listened to in detail and a few questions are asked. If the patient has difficulty swallowing solid and liquid foods and this complaint progresses over time, some tests are performed.
One of the diagnostic methods is esophageal manometry. This test measures the rhythmic muscle contractions of the esophagus during swallowing, the coordination and strength of the esophageal muscles, and how well the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes or opens during swallowing. While this test can determine whether there is a problem with the sphincter, it is the most helpful test in diagnosing the disease. The specialist may also use various imaging methods such as X-rays to examine the esophagus.
Another diagnostic method is endoscopy, which is frequently used in medicine, especially in gastroenterology. Endoscopy allows the esophagus and stomach to be visualized using a thin tube with a camera at the end. In the less preferred barium swallowing method, the person swallows barium in liquid or other form and the activity of the esophagus is evaluated using X-rays.
How is achalasia treated?
Achalasia treatment is planned by gastroenterologists according to the patient's age, general health status and severity of the disease. In case of paralysis due to nerve damage in the lower esophageal sphincter, there is no treatment method that will restore the muscle and enable it to perform its normal functions. The main purpose of the treatment is to relax the lower esophageal sphincter and allow food and liquids to move more easily through the digestive tract.
In cases where the severity of the disease is mild, medication can be applied. With this method, the symptoms of the person are kept under control and the risk of complications is prevented. In addition to these, the methods used in the treatment of the disease are as follows:
Balloon Dilatation
To dilate the lower esophageal sphincter, a special balloon is inserted into the esophagus and inflated. This method aims to restore the functionality of the esophagus.
Heller Myotomy
It is a surgical procedure in which the muscle at the lower end of the esophageal sphincter is cut to allow food to pass more easily into the stomach. Some people who have Heller myotomy may later develop gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
