Achalasia

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of achalasia may start at any time of life and usually come on gradually.

Most people with achalasia have dysphagia , a condition where they find it difficult and sometimes painful to swallow food. This tends to get worse over a couple of years.

It may cause you to bring back up undigested foodshortly after meals and some of the vomited food may have been held up in your gullet for some time.

Bringing up undigested food can lead to choking and coughing fits, chest pain and heartburn .

Occasionally, vomit may dribble out of your mouth and stain the pillow during the night. If it trickles down your windpipe, it can cause repeated chest infections and even pneumonia .

You may experience gradual but significant weight loss .

However, in some people achalasia causes no symptoms and is only discovered when a chest X-ray or other investigation isperformed for another reason.

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 18 Jan 2018

Articles for achalasia

Myths and facts about achalasia

Here are some myths and facts about achalasia

Introduction

Achalasia is a disorder of the gullet (oesophagus) where it loses the ability to move food along. The valve at the end of the gullet also fails to open and allow food to pass into your stomach. As a result, food gets stuck in your gullet and is often brought back up.

What are the symptoms?

Causes of Achalasia

Achalasia is caused by damage to and loss of the nerves in the gullet wall. The reason for this is unknown, although a viral infection earlier in life may be partly responsible. Achalasia may also be associated with having an autoimmune condition, where the immune system attacks healthy cells, tissue and organs. One recent study found people with achalasiaare significantly more likely to have an autoimmune conditionsuch as Sjogren's syndrome , lupus or uveitis .

Diagnosing Achalasia

If your GP thinks you have achalasia, you will be referred to hospital to have some diagnostic tests performed. Barium swallow: A barium swallowinvolves drinking a white liquid containing the chemical barium, which allows the gullet to be seen and videoed on an X-ray. Endoscopy: A flexible instrument called an endoscope is passed down your throat to allow the doctor to look directly at the lining of your gullet and stomach. Trapped food will be visible.

Treating Achalasia

The aim of treatment is to open the lower oesophageal sphincter muscle so food can pass into the stomach easily. The underlying disease cannot be cured but there are various ways to relieve symptoms which can improve swallowing and eating. The muscle at the lower end of your gullet may be temporarily relaxed by medication. If heartburn develops aftertreatment, consult your GP as medication may be needed to reduce the acid reflux.

Recovery from treatment

There are a few things you can do after dilatation or surgery to reduce symptoms: chew your food well, take your time eating, drink plenty of fluids with your meals, always eat food sitting upright, use several pillows or raise the head of your bed so that you sleep fairly upright, which prevents stomach acid rising into your gullet through the weakened valve and causing heartburn. If heartburn develops aftertreatment, consult your GP as medication may be needed to reduce the acid reflux.