Achalasia Cardia
Achalasia Cardia
Achalasia cardia is a difficulty of food movement from esophagus to stomach. This condition occurs after nerve in the esophagus damages and esophagus loses ability to move food from mouth to stomach. Esophagus becomes dilated and paralyzed.Food stays in esophagus and person feels bloating, fullness, nausea and bitterness in mouth.
Symptoms
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Heartburns
- Bloating
- Fullness
- Loss of appetite
- Bitterness in mouth
- Weight loss
- Difficulty in maintaining sleep, can me miss diagnosed as GERD
Causes
Cause of Achalasia Cardia is unknown
Diagnosis
Barium X-Ray, Endoscopy and esophageal Manometry are very helful in diagnosis of Achalasia Cardia
- Endoscopy: Can be used to study the internal lining of the esophagus, biopsy can be taken and blockage can be seen
- Manometry: Manometry in Achalasia Cardia is used to see the muscle tone of esophagus during swelling, does it squeeze food or muscles lot their ability to work? Does lower Sphincter functions properly during swelling, its group of smooth muscles which contacts and relaxes giving entry to food in stomach.
- Barium X-Ray: A Barium swallow x-ray is done to confirm if esophageal dilation and contraction is normal
Treatment
Treatment is given depending on your present health condition, if diabetic, hypertensive, other chronic diseases and age. Muscle relaxants can be used for to relax esophageal muscles and lower sphincter, Pneumatic dilation surgery is the treatment of choice. Heller Myotomey procedure is done to relax sphincter muscle. Fundoplication procedure is performed laproscopically to wrap the upper part of your stomach which prevents acid and food coming back to esophagus