Question 1

has anyone heard of achalasia?

Accepted Answer

Achalasia: This is a narrowing of the esophagus which can be very painful.  Sometimes it can be treated by dilating the esophagus to reduce the pain and narrowing.  You should see a gastroenterologist for further treatment.

Question 2

its achalasia curable?

Accepted Answer

Many treatments: Sometimes certain medications can improve early achalasia, lower esophageal sphincter treated directly by forceful dilation with patient swallowing  tube with a balloon. Balloon is placed across the lower sphincter with help of x-rays, and balloon is blown up suddenly for dilation.Sphincter can be cut surgically, called esophagomyotomy.Another treatment is Botox  placement in muscle by scope.

Question 3

why is buscopan not recommended for achalasia sufferers?

Accepted Answer

"Buscopan": is an INHIBITOR of GI motility (the natural contraction of your gut which is necessary to "process" food into energy. It paralyzes the ESOPHAGUS as well and ACHALASIA or narrowing/spasm of the esophagus is made WORSE when the natural contraction of the gullet
is inhibited!
Hope this helps!
Dr Z

Question 4

can you die from esophageal achalasia?

Accepted Answer

If left untreated: A person could die from untreated achalasia due to starvation, aspiration pneumonia or chocking on the contents accumulated in the esophagus.

Question 5

why achalasia patients tend to loose weight?

Accepted Answer

Causes of achalasia: Achalasia often means absent peristalsis in the esophagus &amp; incomplete relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (les).  It may be a "primary" esophageal motility disorder, or "secondary" to cancers invading the les (pseudoachalasia), Chagas disease from reduviid bug bites, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, eosinophilic infiltration. Similar motor abnormalities can be seen with diabetes &amp; CIIP.

Question 6

what do you recommend for esophageal achalasia?

Accepted Answer

Hard question: Although there is no definite cure, several therapies have been shown to be effective - dilation of the esophagus, certain medications such as nitroglycerine, Nifedipine may be helpful and finally if all fails, especially esophageal dilations, surgery.

Question 7

is there any connection between achalasia and hpv?

Accepted Answer

No: One study testing for a link between HPV, measles, herpesvirus and achalasia found no evidence for an association in 13 achalasia patients. 
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1018805600276

Question 8

what are the benefits of the treatments for achalasia?

Accepted Answer

Swallowing: It will imrove swallowing difficulty and pain.

Question 9

i was diagnosed with acid reflux for over a decade and now i have achalasia type 3.could acid reflux have caused it?

Accepted Answer

It certainly could: have contributed. Although there is no specific known cause for this problem it would not be surprising if we eventually identified a causative factor related to chronic reflux and associated inflammatory response.

Question 10

in the past 3 months i have had the symptoms of achalasia about 6 times. nmot being able to swallow is not consistent. can it be something else? thx

Accepted Answer

Variable symptoms: Achalasia may have variable symptoms, especially early on in its course. The esophagus does not empty its content into the stomach readily. Symptoms can include intermittent difficulty with swallowing, heartburn, regurgitation, reflux, vomiting, choking, coughing, and even chest pain, often with different degrees of severity. There could be other conditions, especially if symptoms are different.

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Acupuncture and achalasia

A member asked:

Has anyone heard of achalasia?

A member asked:

Its achalasia curable?

A member asked:

Why is buscopan not recommended for achalasia sufferers?

A member asked:

Can you die from esophageal achalasia?

A member asked:

Why achalasia patients tend to loose weight?

A member asked:

What do you recommend for esophageal achalasia?

A member asked:

Is there any connection between achalasia and hpv?

A member asked:

What are the benefits of the treatments for achalasia?

A member asked:

I was diagnosed with acid reflux for over a decade and now i have achalasia type 3.could acid reflux have caused it?

A member asked:

In the past 3 months i have had the symptoms of achalasia about 6 times. nmot being able to swallow is not consistent. can it be something else? thx

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