Achalasia: Types | Diagnosis | Symptoms | Causes
Achalasia is a Greek term derived from two words a- which means not and chalasis, which means relaxation. Achalasia means failure to relax, either muscle, sphincters, or normal functions related to contraction and relaxation of muscles.
Types:
It is of four types, depending on the site of the weakness of the sphincter. They are:
- Achalasia of the cardia is the most common type where the cardiac sphincter restricts the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach. In advanced stages, dysphagia is marked sometimes along with dilatation of the esophagus.
- In Cricopharyngeal achalasia, there is a failure of the lower pharyngeal muscles to relax while swallowing. This condition in later stages causes dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing and sometimes can also cause aspiration of food.
- Pelvirectal achalasia results due to the congenital absence of ganglion cells in the distal part of the large intestine. This further leads to the failure of the colon to relax.
- The sphincter of the intestines fails to relax in Sphincteral achalasia.
How to diagnose achalasia?
The following procedure is followed to diagnose achalasia:
- Endoscopy,
- Barium meal x-ray, or
- Oesophageal manometry
Symptoms of achalasia cardia:
- Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing food, either solid or liquid
- Regurgitation of food especially at night
- Aspiration of food to lungs which causes further complications
- Pain in chest
- Heaviness and discomfort around the chest
- Heartburn is not relieved by medicines.
- Loss of weight
- Cough at night
- Retention of saliva at night
- Dryness of eyes and mouth
Causes
The specific cause is not known, however some causes that have been known to cause this condition are:
- Auto-immune
- A rare parasitic infection is known as Chagas disease.
- Degeneration of nerves near the cardiac sphincter.
- Cancer of the esophagus
- Family history
Risk factors:
- Middle-aged and older adults
- Obese people
- People with a family history of achalasia
- People living in South America as the parasite, which causes Chagas disease is quite prevalent there.
Complications:
- Pneumonia
- Lung infection
- Cough
- Cancer of the esophagus.
- Tearing of the esophagus
- Acid reflux
Lifestyle aids to manage symptoms:
Dietary changes can help to manage symptoms, although the diet cannot help to treat the disease. The following dietary changes help to relieve symptoms:
- Drinking plenty of fluid and water
- Taking a small meal with lots of fluids
- Liquid nutritional supplements should be taken to avoid malnutrition
- Taking carbonated drinks as it helps to push food through the oesophageal sphincter
I was cured from herpes with herbal means
God be with you