Achalasia, Cardiospasm

Achalasia and Cardiospasm are diseases associated with disruption of the normal passage of food through the cardiac part of the esophagus. They manifest themselves as difficulty swallowing liquid or solid food, which can lead to feeding problems and even complications.

The main cause of achalasia and cardiospasm is the underdevelopment of the neuromuscular apparatus of the lower esophageal sphincter, which controls the passage of food into the stomach. As a result, the passage of food through the esophagus slows down, which causes a lack of oxygen in the muscles, leading to a deterioration in their function.

Symptoms of achalasia and cardiospasm can manifest in different ways, but their main manifestations are difficulty swallowing and pain when swallowing. In some cases, belching of insufficiently digested food may occur, and severe chest pain may develop due to spasm of the esophageal muscles.

Various methods are used to diagnose achalasia and cardiospasm. X-ray examination using barium is the main diagnostic method that allows you to determine the presence of slow passage of food through the esophagus. In some cases, it may be necessary to conduct a manometric examination, which allows you to evaluate the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Treatment of achalasia and cardiospasm can be carried out in various ways. One of the most effective methods is surgical dissection of the muscle ring in the area of ​​the lower esophageal sphincter (cardiomyotomy or Heller operation). In cases where surgical treatment is not possible, conservative treatment methods such as botulinum therapy and pneumatic dilation of the esophagus can be used.

Overall, achalasia and cardiospasm are serious conditions that can cause significant problems with digestion and quality of life. However, thanks to modern diagnostic and treatment methods, most patients with these diseases can count on complete restoration of esophageal function and improved quality of life.

Achalasia and cardiospasm are two serious problems that can arise as a result of obstruction of the esophagus. These diseases arise for various reasons, but a common feature is disruption of the esophagus and difficulty in passing food. Both conditions can develop at any age, with symptoms ranging from difficulty swallowing to severe stomach pain.

Today we will talk about two diseases of the esophagus - achalasia and cardiospasm. These diseases are associated with disruption of normal patency in the cardiac part of the esophagus, which leads to difficulty in the passage of food through the body. Let's take a closer look at these diseases and find out how you can cope with them.

Achalasia Achalasia is a dysfunction of the lower sphincter, in particular a decrease in nerve activity and muscle strength. This leads to problems in the passage of food through the esophagus, difficulty swallowing and belching. Symptoms of achalasia may vary depending on the stage of the disease, but the main ones are:

Difficulty swallowing is the initial stage, which manifests itself in difficulties in swallowing liquid and solid food. The symptom gets worse over time. Belching is belching that occurs after food passes through the throat and esophagus. Drooling is also a common symptom. Pain in the back and chest is a consequence of muscle spasm inside the esophagus. The term "chalasia" is sometimes used for severe chest pain. Treatment of achalasia may include drug therapy and additional courses of treatment. The main task is to weaken the tone in the lower part of the esophagus and expand its muscle mass. For this purpose, drugs from the group of muscle relaxants are used. In addition, to increase the activity of the muscle tissue of the esophagus, it is recommended to use the method of electrical stimulation of the abdominal muscles. Surgical treatment is used extremely rarely for progressive disease and persistent swallowing disorders. Cardiospasm Cardiospasm is a spasm of the muscles around the lower segment of the esophagus when swallowing, causing excruciating pain. Another reason for the development of cardiospasm may be a violation of the innervation of the organ, when it does not receive a sufficient level of nerve impulses that regulate motor activity. According to medical statistics, at least 3% of patients with this diagnosis suffer from swallowing disorders, which means every third patient during their lifetime faces the need to consult a gastroenterologist about cardiac spasm. The most common signs of cardiospasm are:

Severe paroxysmal pain in the chest; Frequent urge to vomit; Vomiting with a characteristic bitter taste; Attacks during or after meals; Increased symptoms when bending, coughing, moving, etc.; In some cases, cardiospasm can be manifested by diseases of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, obesity, cancer