Achalasia

Motor disorder

Overview

Achalasia is a serious motor disorder that can affect the entire length of the esophagus or the tube which connects the mouth and stomach. In achalasia, an individual’s lower esophageal sphincter fails to open up during swallowing food. The nerves in the esophagus become damaged and it becomes difficult for the food and liquid to reach the stomach. Research shows that approximately 10% of cases occur in children. Even though it is not very common in children, it seems to be increasing in frequency nowadays.

Symptoms

The most common sign of Achalasia is trouble swallowing food. Other symptoms can include:

Choking on Food

Discomfort after Eating

Chest Pain or Discomfort

Heartburn

Causes

Achalasia can be caused by different factors. They may include:

Diagnosis

A physician may advise to get some tests done which may include:

Esophageal Manometry

X-Ray

Endoscopy

When to See a Doctor

Make an appointment right away if any worrisome symptoms appear.

Treatment

The treatment for achalasia will depend on the patient’s age, overall health, and severity of the condition. Both surgical and nonsurgical options are available for the treatment. It can be treated with the help of Pneumatic Dilation in which an inflated balloon is inserted by endoscopy into the center of the esophageal sphincter to dilate the opening. Botox injections can also be injected into the esophageal sphincter to open it.

The surgical procedure involves Esophagomyotomy, a type of surgery that involves using a large or small incision to access the sphincter and carefully alter it to allow better flow into the stomach.

Risks, Complications & Preventions

Possible complications can include weakening of esophagus walls and aspiration pneumonia. The patient may experience extreme difficulty in swallowing food and breathing. Children and young adults with achalasia should drink plenty of fluids while eating and chew their food well. Overeating late at night and consuming foods that cause heartburn must be avoided.