Achalasia Cardia is a rare disorder that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass from the Oesophagus into your stomach. Treatment options include endoscopy, minimally invasive therapy or surgery.
Most people with achalasia report inability to swallow (dysphagia), which may feel like food or drink is stuck in your throat. Swallowing tends to get gradually more difficult or painful over a couple of years, to the point where it is sometimes impossible.
Signs and symptoms may include:
Achalasia can be misdiagnosed because it has symptoms very similar to other digestive diseases. To test for achalasia, is recommend:
These are diagnostic x-rays after you drink a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract. X-rays can then show if there are strictures, ulcers, hiatal hernias, erosions, or other abnormalities.
This is a test that measures the function of the lower oesophageal sphincter and the motor function of the oesophagus.
A thin and flexible tube equipped with a camera (endoscope) is inserted down your throat, to examine your esophagus and stomach. This test results may detect inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) or other abnormalities. The endoscope can also be used to collect biopsies to be tested for complications such as Barrett’s esophagus.
The treatment for achalasia focuses on relaxing or stretching open the lower esophageal sphincter. By doing this, food and liquid can move more easily through your stomach.
Specific treatment depends on your health condition, age and the severity of the achalasia.
Pneumatic dilatation is the most effective non surgical treatment option. Under sedation, a balloon is based in the lower oesophagus via endoscope. The balloon is stretching the lower esophageal sphincter that lets food and liquid into your stomach. This treatment option improves swallow immediately, however, you may need treatment several times.
Under sedation, botox is injected into the lower oesophagus via endoscope. Botox is causing relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter that lets food and liquid into your stomach. This treatment option is usually painless and improves swallow immediately for few months and occasionally for a few years, however, you may need treatment several times.
By performing keyhole surgery, under general anaesthesia, the muscle of the lower esophageal sphincter is cut to lets food into your stomach. Heller Myotomy is the most common treatment for achalasia. At the same time, an anti-reflux operation will be performed so as to prevent the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Following successful laparoscopic surgery, most people leave hospital the following day. There is specific diet that has to be followed starting initially with liquid and then a very soft “sloppy” diet for approximately 2 weeks.
It is preferable to avoid exertion and heavy work for a couple of weeks though one can take regular walks, showers, and ride in a car if necessary. Driving can be attempted several days post-operatively.
