Achalasia can be defined as the inability of food to pass into the stomach due to the inability of the esophagus, located on the side of the esophagus close to the stomach, to relax.
The most common symptom of achalasia, a movement disorder in the esophagus, is difficulty swallowing. Patients who have difficulty swallowing solid and liquid foods may feel the need to vomit. If the slowly progressing achalasia disease is not treated, serious health problems may occur with the escape of food into the lungs.
What is Achalasia?
Achalasia is a digestive system disease in which the functions that should occur in the esophagus are disrupted. In achalasia, foods accumulate in the esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter, which opens during the passage of consumed food from the esophagus to the stomach, cannot relax sufficiently. Since the consumed food and drinks cannot pass into the stomach for a long time, patients usually experience nausea and vomiting symptoms. Although achalasia can be confused with reflux due to the food coming into the mouth, it is possible to make an accurate diagnosis by following the esophageal movements with different imaging methods.
Achalasia is a rare disease. This disease, which usually starts in the 20s or 30s, progresses slowly. Achalasia, which is seen almost equally in men and women, is a disease that should not be neglected and treated.
Causes of Achalasia
Achalasia is a disorder that occurs as a result of the death or damage of nerve cells that stimulate the valve system with the act of swallowing. Although it is not known exactly why these nerve cells die, it is thought that autoimmune diseases and diabetes may cause achalasia. Viral diseases and esophageal cancer can also cause this condition.
Achalasia Symptoms
Symptoms of achalasia appear gradually. The first common symptom in achalasia patients is difficulty swallowing solid and liquid foods. There is also the risk of suffocation in this ailment where the food accumulated in the esophagus comes back to the mouth. Other symptoms that can be seen during the course of the disease are as follows:
• Post-meal cough
• Burning and heartburn in the stomach
• Chest pain
• Feeling of fullness in the throat
• Vomiting and gagging
• Belching
• Weight loss
• Pneumonia and bronchitis as a result of the food accumulating in the esophagus entering the lungs.
Achalasia Diagnosis
Achalasia is suspected in patients who apply to the doctor with difficulty in swallowing and some tests are requested for diagnosis. Three different methods are generally used in the diagnosis of the disease. Gastroscopy is one of the most frequently used imaging methods.
In this method, the esophagus is visualized through a tube with a camera at the end. In the method called manometry (pressure measurement), it is possible to diagnose achalasia by measuring the pressure in the esophagus.
In barium X-ray, patients are given a barium-containing substance to drink, and the diagnosis of achalasia can be confirmed if the barium does not pass into the stomach and remains in the esophagus. However, it should not be forgotten that the barium X-ray method should not be applied to pregnant women.
Achalasia Treatment
The methods used in the treatment of achalasia vary according to the stage of the disease and the severity of the symptoms.
