Achalasia Disease
Achalasia is one of the abnormalities of the digestive system that makes food or drink difficult to get to the stomach. The food of the mouth will be through the esophageal pipe (esophagus) and the bottom ring of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter) before being stored and digested in the stomach.
Esophageal is responsible for carrying food with the peristaltic process. In patients with achalasia, peristalsis can be interrupted or the bottom of the oesophageal ring does not open in the event of ingestion. So the food is accumulated on the esophagus.
This disorder usually occurs in middle age. But it can also happen to children. Achalasia is more common in autoimmune disorders.
Causes of Achalasia
Achalasia can occur for a variety of reasons and it is difficult to determine the main reason. This disorder can be caused by hereditary or autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune itself is a condition in which the body's immune system attacks healthy cells in the body because it considers it an ' enemy '.
One of the causes of achalasia is nerve damage to the esophagus. As a result, the bottom ring of the esophagus which is muscle tissue does not respond when swallowing. Achalasia can also be caused by damage from the bottom ring of the esophagus.
Achalasia Diagnosis
Doctors will initially suspect the presence of achalasia from symptoms of difficulty swallowing either food or drink. Usually, symptoms will be worse over time. Supporting tests such as oesophageal manometry can help determine the diagnosis process.
The examination will be done by attaching pipes to the esophagus when swallowing. The pipeline records the muscle activity of the esophageal ring. Also, other examinations such as X-rays and endoscopy may be performed to assess the esophageal. X-ray inspection can be performed with the help of swallowing barium fluid so that the barium flow can be seen through the esophagus.
In the examination, you can see imagery such as bird beaks. Endoscopic examination is carried out by inserting a pipe with the camera at its terminus to find problems with the esophagus.
Achalasia Symptoms
Symptoms of achalasia that usually arise include:
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing or feeling there is a Janpath in the esophagus)
- Regurgitation or gastric acid back
- Cough
- Often chokes
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Heartburn
- Weight
- Severe pain or discomfort when after eating
Several diseases can resemble achalasia symptoms. For example GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), esophageal cancer or parasitic infection of Chagas disease. Nevertheless, Chagas infection is more common in South America.
Achalasia Treatment
Achalasia treatment involves the bottom ring of the esophagus. Several treatment options can temporarily reduce symptoms or treat the function of the bottom ring of the esophagus. The treatment involves surgical procedures or only medications.
The first option is pneumatic therapy, which is to spread the bottom ring of the esophagus by inserting a balloon and developed. This procedure can help improve the function of the esophagus. However, this widening procedure may injure the ring to require additional surgical procedures to correct it.
Another procedure is the esofagomiotomy, which is to make the incision or wound to access the LES. Once the procedure is usually the patient will have a better movement of food to the stomach. However, there are side effects can also occur like GERD.
Other therapies can be performed using botulinum toxin (Botox) to soothe the esophageal muscle rings. Fluid Botox is administered using endoscopy. Other treatments such as nitrates and calcium channel blockers can be used to assist with relaxation esophageal rings so that food can pass through easily.
Treatment can also be done not only with one therapy option but with the combination of therapy above.
Achalasia Prevention
Achalasia's condition is difficult to be prevented because of its main cause which is often difficult to determine. If you have symptoms of achalasia, you should directly consult a doctor for treatment to be done.