Understanding Achalasia: What It Is and How to Find Relief

Swallowing is something we usually don’t even think about, even though we do it countless times a day! But for some people, swallowing is more than a simple reflex action. Instead, it can become a challenging and even painful experience, esepcaully when eating or drinking. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with a condition called achalasia.

Achalasia is a rare disorder that affects the esophagus - the tube connecting the throat to the stomach. Whether you’ve already been diagnosed with this condition or suspect it might be causing your discomfort, the best place to start is to understand what’s happening in your body. Once you know what's going on, you can determine the most effective way to manage it.

Understanding Achalasia

To understand this condition, it helps to know how a healthy esophagus normally functions. When all is well, the muscles in the esophagus contract and relax in a coordinated way to push food downwards. At the end of the esophagus, there’s a muscular ring called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). The LES acts like a gateway that opens to allow food and liquid to enter the stomach and then closes to prevent them from flowing back up (AKA acid reflux)

When someone has achalasia, it means the LES isn’t relaxing as it should. It remains too tight, creating a blockage and preventing food and liquid from passing easily into the stomach. In addition to this, the muscles in the esophagus itself can lose their ability to contract in a synchronized manner, making it even harder for food and drink to move down. As a result, food can get stuck, often leading to uncomfortable or painful symptoms - especially while eating.

Achalasia develops gradually and is quite rare. It affects only about one in every 100,000 people each year and its slow progression means it is often misdiagnosed as something else - like acid reflux - before a proper diagnosis is made. Many people can go for years thinking they’re suffering from acid reflux when they’ve been living with achalasia all along. While there’s no cure for this condition, there are many ways to help relieve the symptoms and make life easier, but let’s start by finding out if these common symptoms of achalasia apply to you.

Common Symptoms of Achalasia

Here are some of the common signs to watch out for:

• Difficulty swallowing: Often described as feeling like food is “getting stuck” in your throat.
• Regurgitation of undigested food: This can happen if food can’t easily pass through the esophagus.
• Chest pain or discomfort: Often a result of pressure buildup in the esophagus.
• Unexplained weight loss: Many people start eating less when eating becomes difficult and this can lead to quite rapid weight loss and make it difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
• Heartburn-like symptoms: A burning sensation in the chest is a super common one and it’s also why Achalasia is sometimes mistaken for acid reflux.

The symptoms vary from person to person, and they can worsen over time, so it’s important to seek medical advice if you think you might be experiencing achalasia.

Treatment Options for Achalasia

The treatment for achalasia focuses on reducing the discomfort associated with swallowing and helping food and liquid pass through the esophagus. Some commonly suggested options include:

• Botox Injections: When you think of Botox, you probably think of using it for cosmetic reasons. But it is often used medically too! In the case of Achalasia, Botox can be injected into the lower esophagus muscles to relax them. As with any form of Botox, this effect is usually temporary and it may need to be repeated every few months for consistent relief.
• Medications: Certain medications like calcium channel blockers and nitrates can help relax the muscles in the esophagus. While medications might not work for everyone, this is an option that can be discussed with your physician.
• Pneumatic Dilation: This is a procedure in which a small balloon is inserted and inflated to stretch the lower part of the esophagus and open it up. Although it can provide longer-lasting relief than Botox, the procedure may need to be repeated over time.
• Heller Myotomy: This is a surgical option where the muscles of the lower esophagus are cut, allowing food to pass through more easily. Although it IS a more invasive option, it can be very effective for some people and offers long-term relief.
• Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM): A newer, less invasive procedure similar to Heller Myotomy, POEM is done through the mouth and offers a quicker recovery. This approach can be a good alternative for those who want to avoid traditional surgery.

Each of these options has pros and cons, and finding the best one often depends on individual factors and symptoms. Consulting with a specialist who understands achalasia is essential to determine the most effective path forward for you.

Lifestyle Adjustments for Living with Achalasia

Whilst the above medical treatment options can greatly assist with managing this condition, small lifestyle changes can also make a big difference too. You may opt to try these first before moving on to more invasive treatments, or simply add them on to your medical treatment plan for better results. Try these tips help ease your daily symptoms:

• Eat Smaller Meals: Larger meals can be more difficult to digest and can increase the feeling that something is “stuck” in your esophagus. Eating smaller, more frequent meals can give your esophagus a break.
• Chew Thoroughly: Taking your time to chew food well before swallowing can make it easier to pass through the esophagus.

• Avoid Eating Close to Bedtime: This might be a tough one if you’re a late night snacker, but try not to eat for a couple of hours before going to bed. This can reduce the chance of regurgitation or discomfort when you lie down and make it easier to get to sleep.
• Experiment with Food Textures: Don’t be afraid to try different types of meals! It’s completely understandable that you may be concerned about trying new foods in case they make your symptoms worse, but on the other hand they can also make them better! For example, some people find that certain textures such as softer, blended foods are easier to swallow.
• Drink Warm Beverages Before Meals: Warm liquids can help relax the muscles in the esophagus and make swallowing easier.

Finding Relief and Moving Forward

Achalasia may be rare, but  - as you can see - there are plenty of options to help you to manage it and live comfortably. With a little knowledge and the right approach, this condition can be managed. Whilst it might take a bit of trial and error to find what works best, you don’t have to deal with it alone. We recommend that you reach out to a healthcare provider to explore your options and you can also send us a direct message on our Facebook for a free 1:1 consultation about what supplements can also help, such as the acid relief to ease the burning sensation that so often accompanies this condition. Together, we can create a plan that helps you get back 

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