There are many people who have difficulty swallowing food. Many are not even aware that their swallowing difficulties are a disease. In our country, about one in 100 thousand people are diagnosed with ‘Achalasia’ every year. Although it usually starts between the ages of 20-30, this disease can develop at almost any age. Achalasia, which can take many years to diagnose, can turn the lives of patients upside down because it is a rare disease and its initial symptoms have common symptoms with reflux disease. But this disease can be cured!
It is possible to get rid of the problems caused by Achalasia in a short time with POEM, which is an advanced endoscopic treatment method! Acıbadem Maslak Hospital Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkin Öztaş said, “Achalasia is the most basic need in life, even a situation that many people enjoy the most; It turns eating into agony. With POEM treatment, it is possible to start a normal diet without surgery in a very short time and the quality of life increases significantly.
WHEN FOOD IS STACKED IN THE FEAST PIPE…
Difficulty in the movement of food towards the stomach as a result of the inability to relax the valve system at the lower end of the esophagus is defined as ‘Achalasia’. Food is transferred from the throat to the esophagus and from there to the stomach by swallowing. The esophageal sphincter, located between the esophagus and the stomach, prevents the stomach acid and food contents from flowing back into the esophagus. Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkin Öztaş stated that this sphincter opens when we swallow and allows food and liquids to reach our stomach, adding, “If the esophageal sphincter loses its function due to any factor, the food cannot get stuck in the esophagus and go down to the stomach. As a result, this disease, for which the patient has many problems, is called Achalasia.”
EXACT REASON UNKNOWN YET
Although the exact cause of development of achalasia is not yet known, it is stated that many factors are effective in the emergence of the disease. While it is suggested that various viral infections and autoimmune disorders may cause the disease, it is also stated that various bacterial infections and genetic predisposition may also be responsible.
SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN SEVERITY OF SYMPTOMS OVER TIME
In the first stage of achalasia, the symptoms are usually not very severe. However, over time, the frequency and severity of the problems begin to increase significantly. The most common symptom of achalasia is difficulty swallowing! While patients have difficulty swallowing solid foods and even liquid foods; they complain that a food they consume stays in their esophagus or in the middle of the chest, sometimes for days. In addition to difficulty swallowing achalasia; It can also cause many problems such as irritation in the throat, frequent coughing after meals, burning and pressure in the middle of the chest. In addition, complaints such as regurgitation of undigested food and nausea are common complaints.
LIFE THREATING PROBLEMS CAN DEVELOP
Achalasia can also lead to much more serious pictures. As a result of the food or liquids accumulating in the esophagus escape into the respiratory tract, life-threatening problems such as pneumonia or even suffocation can develop. As the disease progresses, it becomes almost impossible for the food to pass from the esophagus to the stomach, and there is difficulty in swallowing liquids as well as foods. Patients lose weight and experience many health problems due to malnutrition for years.
DIAGNOSIS CAN TAKE LONG YEARS
Since achalasia has a slow course and the problems experienced are similar to reflux disease, it can take many years to be diagnosed. Diagnosis is made by detailed history taken from the patient, barium esophagus (esophagus) X-ray, manometer (measurement of esophageal pressure) and endoscopy methods.
TREATMENT CAN BE PROVIDED WITH ENDOSCOPY
In achalasia, drug therapy and botox method are effective in alleviating the complaints. However, the drugs need to be taken every day, and botox needs to be repeated at frequent intervals. Balloon dilatation is another method that ensures a smooth transition between the esophagus and stomach and has a success rate of 70-80%. The definitive treatment of achalasia can be provided by the endoscopy method. Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Stating that endoscopic methods are used in advanced stages of ‘Achalasia’ disease, Erkin Öztaş says, “With this procedure, the problematic muscles in the esophagus are intervened and patients can be allowed to eat and drink liquids in a short time.”
AFRAID ENDING THROUGH POEM
POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy), an advanced endoscopic treatment method applied in only a few centers in the world and in our country, is one of the most preferred methods in Achalasia because of the advantages it provides. With POEM, as in the classical endoscopy procedure, the problematic muscles in the esophagus affected by the disease are intervened by entering through the mouth. Thus, the esophagus is widened. Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Erkin Öztaş says, “Compared to other endoscopic methods, the most important advantage of the POEM method for patients is that the success rate is quite high,” and continues: “Studies show that the 5-year success rate is over 90 percent. Another important benefit of this method is that the risks of complications such as bleeding and perforation are low and can be controlled and corrected during the procedure. Since it is an endoscopic procedure, there are no incision marks on the body, the patients are discharged the next day, they start to eat liquid and soft foods, and they can return to their routine diet after 2 weeks.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ACALASIA DISEASE?
Difficulty swallowing solid and liquid foods
Cough that develops after swallowing food
Pain and burning sensation in the chest area
Food coming back into the mouth, nausea, vomiting
- weight loss