What is Achalasia Cardia? What are the symptoms of Achalasia Cardia? How can homeopathy help you? All of this is answered, in this post, and of course, our doctors are always there to help you. Just fill in your details in the form down below and we will answer all your questions for FREE!
Achalasia Cardia is a rare condition of the esophagus which prevents food from entering the stomach due to improper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter.
The esophagus is a pipe-like structure through which food travels from the mouth to the stomach. At the point where the lower end of the pipe meets the stomach, there is a ring-like structure called the lower esophageal sphincter. The food enters the stomach when this sphincter relaxes. Then it contracts to prevent the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus. When the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax, the condition is called Achalasia Cardia, and the food does not enter the stomach.
People in the age group of 25-60 are more prone to this condition. But nowadays children are also dealing with the same disorder. Both men and women are equally affected, and the condition does not run in families.
The primary region of damage is the esophageal mesenteric plexus and includes autoimmune reactions. This reaction attacks the nerve cells in the muscular layer of the esophageal wall and the lower esophageal sphincter. The nerve cells which control the relaxation and contraction of the muscle fibers start degenerating. Thus, the Lower esophageal sphincter fails to function, and the food and liquids can’t pass through the pipe.
The primary symptom of Achalasia cardia is dysphagia (difficulty swallowing). The food can’t pass through the esophagus and eventually passes back into the mouth.
First, a physical examination might be performed.
However, physical examination is not enough. Some following tests should be performed to understand and diagnose this condition:
Yes, this condition is treatable. The main goal is to relieve the suffering so that the food and drinks can be swallowed and passed through the esophagus to the stomach. There are some surgical and some non-surgical treatments available:
Surgical:
Non-surgical:
If surgery is not an option, the botulinum toxin injections can relax muscles. These injections need to be repeated to maintain the control of symptoms.
Homeopathy provides symptomatic relief to the patient of achalasia cardia. It helps to manage the suffering in mild to moderate cases. There are several medicines that aim to treat the cases without any side effects. Some of them are as follows:
Achalasia cardia is an incurable, neurological disorder and needs lifetime treatment and monitoring even after surgery. The case can lead to the following complications if not observed carefully:
Recurrence is common in cases of achalasia cardia after surgery. There are multiple causes for recurrence but the primary cause in early return is the incomplete myotomy and in late recurrence is the fibrosis due to myotomy.
No, achalasia cardia is a lifelong condition. We can manage the symptoms with relaxation and contraction of LES so that food and liquid can pass easily through the food pipe.
No, it is not a hereditary condition.
It is serious if left untreated. Patients with achalasia cardia have trouble eating food and drinking fluids. It can result in weight loss and malnutrition. This condition can also result in esophageal cancer if left untreated for a long period of time.
It can also be represented as a dilated and tortuous esophagus, which may occur in patients who have already been treated surgically yet no improvement in dysphagia is seen. In such cases, esophagectomy is the only option.
Both disorders are related to the lower esophageal sphincter which is a barrier between the esophagus and stomach. In GERD, the LES doesn’t close after emptying the esophagus and resulting in the reflux of stomach contents back to the esophagus. While in achalasia cardia, the LES doesn’t open properly when it should and thus food gets stuck in the lower end of the esophagus.
When you find gastric contents coming back to the esophagus after swallowing, it is gastroesophageal reflux disease and if there is difficulty in swallowing the food or sensation as if food is stuck in the esophagus, it is achalasia cardia.
No, there is no specific diet for achalasia. Usually, patients make some dietary alterations by themselves as food passes much more easily.
Yes, the sleeping posture can help manage your suffering. Use head risers under the mattress as it promotes esophageal emptying into the stomach.
For more information, you can visit Healthline and Mayoclinic
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** The text on this website is sourced from websites like emedicine and/or other verified material by government agencies around the globe along with valuable inputs and additions by our team. The content of this page is proofread and updated by the team of doctors, every once in a while, to provide the most accurate information.
