Achalasia is a rare and serious medical disorder that affects the esophagus, which is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. There is a muscular ring which is the Lower Esophagus Sphincter (LES) that shuts off the esophagus from the stomach. Achalasia develops when the nerves in the esophagus or the LES get damaged and the esophagus loses the ability to squeeze the food down and the LES does not fully relax and it makes it difficult for food to pass down into the stomach. Due to this, the food gets backed up in the stomach. Achalasia can occur in children but mostly affects older adults. People with autoimmune disorders are more likely to develop Achalasia.
Symptoms
The most common signs and symptoms of Achalasia are:
- Difficulty in swallowing both solids and liquids
- Sharp pain in the chest
- Heartburn
- Discomfort and pain after eating
- Food that is retained in the esophagus gets regurgitated
- Acid reflux
- Weight loss
Causes
The exact cause of Achalasia is still not clear. Some of the various factors which can lead to the development of achalasia are an immune disorder, genetic factors, infections.
Treatment
There is no full cure for Achalasia so the focus of the treatment is on relaxing the muscles of the Lower Esophagus Sphincter so that the food can move into the stomach and move into the digestive tract. Both nonsurgical and surgical treatment options are available. The severity of the disorder and the age of the patient usually determine the type of treatment. Some non-surgical treatment options are:
- Pneumatic dilation: A balloon is inserted into the LES and inflated to enlarge the opening
- Botox: This is a muscle relaxant that is injected directly into the LES with an endoscope
- Medicines: Muscle relaxants such as nitroglycerine or nifedipine may be prescribed in some cases
Some surgical options are:
- Heller myotomy: The muscle at the end of the esophageal sphincter is cut to allow the food to pass more easily into the stomach
- Fundoplication: The top of the stomach around the LES is wrapped to prevent acid reflux
- Peroral endoscopic myotomy
There is no full cure for Achalasia but with treatment, the symptoms can be managed. The symptoms might range from mild to severe but treatment is highly successful and commonly several people who get treated get relief from their symptoms.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
Sources-
- https://www.healthline.com/health/achalasia#outlook
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850/a>
- https://www.medicinenet.com/achalasia/article.htm#what_is_achalasia
The post Achalasia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment appeared first on Scientific Animations.
