Health Advices Blog

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of achalasia begins with a careful medical history. The history should focus upon the symptoms and eliminating other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Among the tests to diagnose achalasia include:

- Esophageal manometry: This test inserts a thin tube into the esophagus to measure the pressure exerted by the esophageal sphincter
- Radiography of the esophagus: barium swallow is possible to act as a contrast agent. Barium reveals the outlines of the esophagus in more detail and makes it easier to see the constriction at the sphincter
- Endoscopy: This test is a tube that contains a lens and a light source in the esophagus. Endoscopy is used to look directly into the surface of the esophagus. This test can also detect tumors that cause symptoms similar to achalasia. Esophageal cancer occurs as a complication of achalasia in a 2% -7% of patients

Treatment

The first-line treatment for achalasia is balloon dilation. In this procedure, you pass a membrane or an inflatable balloon into the esophagus to the sphincter and inflated to force the sphincter to open. Dilation is effective in about 70% of patients.

When the balloon dilation is inappropriate or unacceptable, can be used three other treatments for achalasia:

- Botulinum toxin injection: Injected into the sphincter, botulinum toxin paralyzes the muscles and allow the sphincter to relax. The symptoms usually return in a year or two
- Esophagomyotomy: This surgical procedure cuts the sphincter muscle to allow the esophagus to open. Esophagomyotomy is increasingly popular with the development of techniques that allow very small incisions
- Pharmacotherapy: Nifedipine, a blocker of calcium channels, reduces muscle contraction. If taken daily, this drug provides relief in about two thirds of the patients for about two years

Forecast

Most patients with achalasia can be treated effectively. Achalasia does not reduce life expectancy unless the development of a carcinoma of the esophagus.

Prevention

There is no known way to prevent achalasia.

Possibility Related Posts:

• Achalasia
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