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Achalasia

Achalasia oesophagi (cardiospasmus) · Achalázie jícnu

What it is

The nerves of the gullet die off, so it stops squeezing and the valve at the bottom won't open; food sticks.

Symptoms & signs

  • Food and liquid sticking in the chest
  • bringing back undigested food, especially at night
  • chest pain
  • weight loss
  • night cough from aspiration

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Food stuck with drooling and unable to swallow saliva
  • call 112 / 911 now Severe chest pain after vomiting or a procedure
  • see a doctor soon Losing weight without trying
  • see a doctor soon Coughing or chest infections from food coming back up at night

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Manometry and barium swallow to diagnose
  • pneumatic balloon dilatation
  • laparoscopic Heller myotomy
  • POEM (peroral endoscopic myotomy)
  • botulinum toxin injection for the frail

Natural & lifestyle

  • Eat slowly, chew well, drink with meals
  • sleep propped up
  • warm drinks help food pass

Emerging & experimental

  • Stem-cell and nerve regeneration research
  • long-term refinements of POEM

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Peppermint oil — relaxes oesophageal spasm in small studies early / small studies
  • Fizzy drinks to push food down — a patient tip; helps some anecdotal / traditional
  • Acupuncture — case reports anecdotal / traditional

ICD codes