What is Achalasia? Recognize the Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

YOGYAKARTA - Achalasia is a condition when food and liquids cannot move from the esophagus to the stomach. In this condition, the nerve of the esophageal muscle is damaged, so that the muscle is not able to push food down as it should.

Symptoms can include difficulty swallowing, a hot sensation in the chest (heartburn), to chest pain. If you don't get the right treatment, you can have serious complications, such as aspiration pneumonia. Reported from Cleveland Clininic, the following will discuss things you need to know about the disease of achalasia, from symptoms, causes, to how to treat it.

What is Achalasia Disease?

Achalasia, also known as cardiospasm, is a disorder of the esophagus that causes food and liquids to not move to the stomach as they should. In normal conditions, the esophagus will make a pushing movement (peristalsis) so that food goes down to the stomach.

But in people with achalasia, this movement does not work well or even does not occur at all. In addition, the muscle ring at the bottom of the esophagus (lower esophageal sphincter/LES) also cannot open perfectly. As a result, food is actually held in the esophagus.

In normal conditions, the LES will open so that food can enter the stomach and tighten (contract) again to prevent the stomach contents from returning to the esophagus.

In the long term, achalasia can lead to weight loss and malnutrition if not treated properly.

Symptoms of Achalasia to Watch Out For

The symptoms of achalasia usually develop slowly, it can even last for years before you realize it. Some common symptoms that often appear include:

Difficulty swallowing food or drink Food that has been swallowed rises back into the mouth Chest pain that comes and goes A hot feeling in the chest (heartburn) Difficulty burping Frequent hiccups or Weight loss without a clear cause

This symptom is often mistaken for a common stomach acid disorder. Therefore, if it occurs continuously, immediately see a doctor.

Causes of Akalasia

Until now, it is not known for sure what causes the condition. However, experts have several theories that are quite strong to explain this condition. One theory calls achalasia an autoimmune disease (your body attacks itself) triggered by a virus. In this theory:

Your immune system attacks the nerve cells in your esophagus that control muscle function. These cells also slowly deteriorate. As a result, they stop moving the process that moves food and liquids through the esophagus into your stomach. Complications That Can Occur

If you suffer from achalasia, food can return to the esophagus and respiratory tract, so you risk being inhaled into the lungs. If that happens, you can experience complications such as:

Aspiration pneumonia Bronchiectasis Lung infection Increased risk of esophageal cancer Malnutrition

Therefore, you should not underestimate the symptoms that appear, especially if they interfere with daily eating activities.

Treatment of Achalasia

Treatment is focused on relaxing the LES. Treatment cannot cure achalasia, but non-surgical and surgical options can help relieve symptoms. Here are some options for treating achalasia:

Non-surgical treatment

Some of the non-surgical methods that are often done include:

Balloon dilation: Insertion of a specially designed balloon through the LES. This balloon will help the muscles relax so that food can move into the stomach. Medicines: Health care providers may recommend injections of Botox into your LES. Another option is nifedipine or isosorbide. Surgical procedures

There are two non-invasive surgeries that are usually recommended to loosen the LES in patients with achalasia:

Miotomy Heller laparoscopy. In this surgery, an endoscope is inserted into the esophagus. The endoscope has small tools that are used to cut muscle fibers. Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM). This procedure involves cutting the muscle on the side of your esophagus, the muscle ring, and in the upper part of your stomach.

So that's the discussion about the disease of achalasia. If you experience the symptoms mentioned above, such as difficulty swallowing or experiencing unusual complaints when eating, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment.

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