Achalasia of the esophagus

Achalasia of the esophagus is a disease characterized by impairment of the functions of the nerves responsible for opening the lower sphincter as the food is approached. Due to a decrease in the motor activity of the esophagus, the swallowed food stagnates, which leads to a feeling of squeezing. The doctors did not establish any specific reasons for this disease. However, the main factor is the presence of serious neurological problems.

Achalasia of the esophagus - symptoms

Recognize achalasia can be on the following grounds.

1. Dysphagia, which in some patients manifests itself as the disease develops, while others occur suddenly. Dysphagia increases with the hasty eating of food, with the ingestion of poorly chewed pieces and the use of dry foods. In many cases, paradoxical dysphagia is noted, in which the patient better absorbs heavy food than liquid.
2. Regurgitation (regurgitation) is common in achalasia of the esophagus. The cause of its occurrence is a sharp compression of the esophagus when it is filled with food. Because of this, patients often suffer from suffocation and coughing attacks at night.
3. To another symptom of chalasia and achalasia of the esophagus is chest pain and heartburn . Accumulated contents cause a feeling of squeezing, which gives in the back and neck. Often the presence of heartburn is associated with reflux. However, with achalasia, heartburn can occur not immediately after a meal, and taking medications does not have any results.

Diagnosis of the disease

The recognition of achalasia of the esophagus occurs radiologically. In the late stages of the disease, which are characterized by an enlarged esophagus, the examination makes it possible to see an increase in the size of the median shade mainly in the right side, the presence of fluid and air bubble in the esophagus.

The use of X-ray examination helps to identify a variety of characteristics characteristic of achalasia and the establishment of the stage of the disease. To clarify the diagnosis can be on the following symptoms:

• expansion of the shadow of the esophagus, which is observed throughout its extent;
• disappearance or significant reduction in the volume of the gas bubble in the stomach
• The abdominal part narrows, forming a funnel;
• violation of the motor function of the esophagus;
• the presence in the esophagus of the remains of food, liquid;
• The opening of the cardia occurs after a long delay.

Achalasia of the esophagus - treatment

Treatment of achalasia involves several methods:

1. Fighting with medications, which does not completely cure the disease. Basically, their reception helps to cope with clinical manifestations of the disease. The patient takes sedatives, vitamins, adheres to a diet.
2. Together with taking medications, a patient with ahalasia of the esophagus may resort to treatment with folk remedies. To normalize the lower sphincter, it is recommended to drink tinctures of magnolia vine, eleutherococcus, ginseng . To prevent the development of inflammatory processes, apply infusion of oregano, althea root, quince seeds.
3. Using a pneumatic dilator allows you to expand the cardia. The balloon introduced into the stomach is filled with air and increases in size. Thus, the lumen of the esophagus becomes wider. Approximately in eighty percent of cases this procedure allows to facilitate a condition of the patient and to relieve it of illness.
4. Two-sided cardiomyotomy is performed when the application of the dilator did not give positive results. The procedure consists of incision, made in the distal part of the esophagus. This method has a positive effect on the achalasia of the esophagus cardia and its treatment. Recovery is observed in ninety percent of cases.