Achalasia

Achalasia

overview

Achalasia is a rare condition that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass into your stomach from the swallowing tube that connects your mouth and stomach (esophagus).

Achalasia occurs when nerves in the esophagus become damaged. As a result, the esophagus becomes paralyzed and dilated over time, eventually losing the ability to push food into the stomach. Food then collects in the esophagus, sometimes ferments, and is washed back into the mouth, which can taste bitter. Some people confuse this with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, in achalasia, the food comes from the esophagus, while in GERD, the material comes from the stomach.

There is no cure for achalasia. Once the esophagus is paralyzed, the muscle can no longer work properly. But symptoms can usually be treated with endoscopy, minimally invasive therapy, or surgery.

Symptoms

Achalasia symptoms generally appear gradually and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms can include:

• Unfähigkeit zu schlucken (Dysphagie), die sich anfühlen kann, als ob Speisen oder Getränke in Ihrem Hals stecken bleiben
• Erbrechen von Nahrung oder Speichel
• Sodbrennen
• Aufstoßen
• Brustschmerzen, die kommen und gehen
• Husten in der Nacht
• Pneumonie (durch Aspiration von Nahrung in die Lunge)
• Gewichtsverlust
• Erbrechen

Causes

The exact cause of achalasia is poorly known. Researchers suspect it may be caused by a loss of nerve cells in the esophagus. There are theories as to what causes this, but viral infections or autoimmune reactions have been suspected. Very rarely, achalasia can be caused by an inherited genetic disorder or infection.

Achalasia treatment

Sources:

1. Zaninotto G. et al. Die 2018 ISDE Achalasie-Richtlinien. Erkrankungen der Speiseröhre. 2018; doi:10.1093/dote/doy071.
2. Achalasie. Nationale Organisation für seltene Erkrankungen. https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/achalasia/. Abgerufen am 6. April 2020.
3. Achalasie. Kanadische Gesellschaft für Darmforschung. https://badgut.org/information-centre/az-digestive-topics/achalasia/. Abgerufen am 6. April 2020.
4. Schwanstrom LL. Achalasie: Behandlung, aktueller Status und zukünftige Fortschritte. Koreanisches Journal für Innere Medizin. 2019; doi:10.3904/kjim.2018.439.
5. Jung HK, et al. 2019 Seoul Konsens zu Ösophagus-Achalasie-Richtlinien. Neurogastroenterologie und Motilität. 2020; doi:10.5056/jnm20014.
6. Achalasie. Merck Manual Professional-Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gastrointestinal-disorders/esophageal-and-swallowing-disorders/achalasie. Abgerufen am 6. April 2020.
7. Ahmed Y., et al. Perorale endoskopische Myotomie (POEM) bei Achalasie. Journal of Thoracic Disease. 2019; doi:10.21037/jtd.2019.07.84.
8. Braun AY. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo-Klinik. 12. März 2020.
9. Blackmon SH (Gutachten). Mayo-Klinik. 8. April 2020