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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Treatment For Achalasia?

I have just been diagnosed with Achalasia after having oesophageal manometry , Barium swallow and a CT scan tests carried out . Athough as yet I am not displaying all the symptoms I have been told this is a degenerative condition and I would benefit from bottox injected into the sphincter valve to see if I respond to this treatment. At this stage I do not want any interference as I am coping and at times I don't notice I have a problem. Can you please advise can this problem affect the stomach, bowels or other organs. Is there any treatment that could regenerate or stimulate the nerves to work again.
Tue, 28 Mar 2017
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Hi, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns.
In Achalasia basically there is loss of relaxation of sphincter at esophagus and stomach joint and due to that food stays in esophagus for prolong period of time and that can have complications like : Aspiration pneumonia ,Esophagitis,Perforation of Esophagus and rarely esophageal cancer.

The goal of therapy for achalasia is to relieve symptoms by eliminating the outflow resistance caused by the hypertensive and nonrelaxing LES.
You can use pharmacological treatment initially:
Administration of calcium channel blockers and nitrates decrease LES pressure (primarily in elderly patients who cannot undergo pneumatic dilatation or surgery)
Endoscopic intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin to block acetylcholine release at the level of the LES (mainly in elderly patients who are poor candidates for dilatation or surgery)
Surgical Can also be performed.
Patients in whom surgery fails may be treated with an endoscopic dilatation first. If this fails, a second operation can be attempted once the cause of failure has been identified with imaging studies. Esophagectomy is the last resort.
Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate to ask. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Wishing you good health.
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What Is The Treatment For Achalasia?

Hi, I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. In Achalasia basically there is loss of relaxation of sphincter at esophagus and stomach joint and due to that food stays in esophagus for prolong period of time and that can have complications like : Aspiration pneumonia ,Esophagitis,Perforation of Esophagus and rarely esophageal cancer. The goal of therapy for achalasia is to relieve symptoms by eliminating the outflow resistance caused by the hypertensive and nonrelaxing LES. You can use pharmacological treatment initially: Administration of calcium channel blockers and nitrates decrease LES pressure (primarily in elderly patients who cannot undergo pneumatic dilatation or surgery) Endoscopic intrasphincteric injection of botulinum toxin to block acetylcholine release at the level of the LES (mainly in elderly patients who are poor candidates for dilatation or surgery) Surgical Can also be performed. Patients in whom surgery fails may be treated with an endoscopic dilatation first. If this fails, a second operation can be attempted once the cause of failure has been identified with imaging studies. Esophagectomy is the last resort. Hope this answers your question. If you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate to ask. I will be happy to answer your questions. Wishing you good health.