Center of excellence for Achalasia Cardia Specialist, Ahmedabad

• Achalasia is a condition that affects the oesophagus. The oesophagus or food-pipe is a tube that moves food from the mouth to the abdomen. At the lower end of the oesophagus, where it connects to the stomach(tummy), there’s a muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Once the LES tightens, food cannot move from the oesophagus into the abdomen. once the LES relaxes, food will move from the oesophagus into the abdomen.
  When individuals have achalasia:

  Muscles of food-pipe doesn’t work normally

• The LES does not relax, therefore food cannot get into the stomach(abdomen)

• The most common symptom of achalasia is difficulty in swallowing food and drinks. alternative symptoms will include:

• • Chest pain
  • Vomiting
  • Heartburn
  • Feeling such as you have a lump in your throat
  • Losing weight while not even attempting

• Manometry – Measuring the pressure in your oesophagus and LES – a thin is passed via nose and down into the oesophagus. The tube can measure the pressure of the food pipe muscles. This test will classify achalasia in three types. The treatment depends on it.
• Barium swallow (Less common) – A white liquid called barium is swallowed in a small quantity & X-rays are taken to identify the problem with the food pipe.
• Endoscopy – A thin tube with a camera on the tip will be passed via your mouth and down into your oesophagus(food pipe) and abdomen.
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Treatment usually cannot cure achalasia; It will improve symptoms to a good extent.