Achalasia is a disease of the esophagus characterized by the absence of peristaltic movements that push food into the stomach and narrowing of the esophageal sphincter, resulting in difficulty swallowing solids and fluids, night cough and weight loss, for example.
This disease can occur at any age, but is most common between the ages of 20 and 40 and progresses gradually over the years. It is important that achalasia is identified and treated early to avoid complications such as nutritional deficiencies, respiratory problems, and even cancer of the esophagus.
- Aclasia occurs due to a change in nerves that inert the muscles of the esophagus.
- Causing a decrease or absence of muscle contractions that allow food to pass through.
Achalasia does not yet have a well-established cause, but is thought to occur as a result of autoimmune diseases and viral infections. In addition, cases of achalasia due to Chagas disease due to the wear and tear of esophageal nerves caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, the infectious agent responsible for Chagas disease, have been observed.
The main symptoms of achalasia are
In addition, it is possible to perceive weight loss due to less food consumption and difficulty in emptying the esophagus.
The diagnosis of achalasia is made by the gastroenterologist or the GP through the analysis of the symptoms and the observation of the esophagus using specific tests, such as upper digestive endoscopy, contrast X-ray of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum; and esophageal manometry.
In some cases, a biopsy may also be needed to check if the symptoms shown are related to cancer or other diseases. The requested tests are used not only to complete the diagnosis but also to define the severity of the disease, which is important for the doctor to establish treatment.
The treatment of achalasia aims to enlarge the esophagus to allow food to pass correctly to the stomach, for this certain techniques are used such as filling a balloon inside the esophagus to permanently enlarge the muscle bundles and the use of nitroglycerin and blockers of calcium before meals. They help to relax the sphincter and reduce symptoms.
The surgery used in this treatment involves cutting the muscle fibers of the esophagus and, despite the side effects, it has been found to be the most effective technique in the treatment of achalasia.