Achalasia Topics

• heller myotomy
• experience weight loss
• gastroenterologists
• maximum effectiveness
• horizontal position
• dilatation
• perforations
• perforation
• chest pain
• solids
• balloons
• balloon
• risk

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Achalasia, Achalasia

Dysphagia tends to become progressively worse over time and to involve both fluids and solids. Some achalasia patients also experience weight loss, coughing when lying in a horizontal position, and chest pain which may be perceived as heartburn.

Gastroenterologists who specialize in achalasia and have performed many of these forceful balloon dilatations achieve better results and fewer perforations. There is always a small risk of a perforation which requires immediate surgical repair. Pneumatic dilatation causes some scarring which may increase the difficulty of Heller myotomy if the surgery is needed later. Gastroesophageal reflux occurs after pneumatic dilatation in some patients. Pneumatic dilatation is most effective on the long term in patients over the age of 40; the benefits tend to be shorter-lived in younger patients. It may need to be repeated with larger balloons for maximum effectiveness.

Source: Wikipedia > Achalasia