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Do you often have a feeling that something is stuck in your throat? Or, do you even struggle to swallow even a glass of water? This is the reality of individuals living with achalasia cardia.
For such individuals, eating is more than a dietary inconvenience. It is a daily struggle that affects the nutrition intake, mental health, and the ability to lead a good quality of life.
One must not delay achalasia cardia treatment, as the more you ignore the condition, the more difficult it becomes to manage. Whether you are waiting for surgery or trying to adjust to post-treatment life, dietary changes and lifestyle modifications not only help to manage the symptoms but also make the recovery process a lot easier.
In this blog, we will provide some practical and useful tips to help individuals navigate achalasia cardia smoothly.
Achalasia cardia is a rare disorder of the esophagus where the myenteric nerve plexus of the esophageal wall deteriorates and loses functional activity.
Under normal circumstances, the lower end of the esophagus, known as the esophageal sphincter muscles (LES), relaxes to allow solids and liquids to pass down to the stomach. However, in individuals with achalasia cardia, the LES fails to relax properly, resulting in difficulty in swallowing foods, accompanied by other uncomfortable symptoms.
The condition develops slowly and worsens over time, especially when achalasia cardia treatment is ignored by a reputed surgeon like Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik.
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for achalasia cardia. However, there are some effective treatment modalities that focus on reducing the severity of symptoms and improving the quality of life.
The main goal of achalasia cardia management is to reduce the pressure on the LES so that foods and liquids can pass from the throat to the stomach without getting stuck.
Pharmacotherapy: Often considered less effective, they are temporary options when surgery is not suitable. The two most commonly used medicines are long-acting nitrates and calcium channel blockers.
Botox injections: The technique involves pushing a maximum of 100 units of botulinum toxin using a sclero-needle close to the squamo-columnar junction. It provides short-term relief and is recommended for individuals who cannot tolerate invasive procedures.
Pneumatic Dilation: It is the most effective non-invasive treatment where a balloon is inflated and inserted to stretch the LES muscles. The technique has a success rate of 55 to 70 per cent for single dilatation.
Surgical intervention: Also known as Heller myotomy, it is a minimally invasive technique that involves cutting down the LES muscles to allow food to pass through. It is one of the effective long-term solutions for achalasia cardia.
Esophagectomy: It is for end-stage achalasia, which involves the removal of all or part of the esophagus.
Before achalasia cardia treatment, patients can adopt several lifestyle strategies to alleviate the discomfort and maintain adequate nutrition.
Dietary precautions: Opt for soft and moist foods that are easy to chew and digest. Softened options like mashed potatoes, smoothies, soups, and cooked vegetables are less likely to irritate the esophageal lining. Don't forget to sip water or herbal tea to keep the food moving.
Eating patterns: Make sure to eat smaller meals throughout the day and chew the food thoroughly. A heavy meal can worsen and put pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).
Maintain the posture: Always stay upright while eating food and for 30 to 60 minutes afterwards. Gravity helps the food move downward into the stomach and decreases the chance of acid reflux.
Elevate the head while sleeping: Raise your head or use a wedge pillow while sleeping. This positioning prevents the flow of undigested food into the esophagus.
Avoid triggers: Maintain a diary to keep track of your symptoms and the specific foods that worsen your condition.
Monitoring and support: Evaluation and patient education by a surgeon who is known for achalasia cardia treatment is necessary. It will help the individuals to take proactive steps for their health to reduce discomfort and preserve nutrition until accurate treatment is started.
Lifestyle modification tips to follow: After achalasia cardia treatment
Once you have undergone achalasia cardia treatment, the symptoms improve drastically. However, here are some of the effective daily tips that need to be followed for a safe and quick recovery.
Diet progression: For the first few weeks, stick to a liquid diet and soft foods such as smoothies, pureed vegetables, yoghurt, juices and soups. Slowly return to chewable and normal items like scrambled eggs, steamed vegetables, and fruits. However, make sure to avoid trigger items to minimise esophageal strain.
Continue with the eating patterns: Even after successful treatment, the esophagus needs time to come back to its normal functioning. During this time, continue eating smaller and frequent meals to avoid obstruction. Limit the consumption of carbonated beverages that might irritate the esophagus. Also, maintain an upright position while eating and even afterwards to prevent regurgitation.
Stay hydrated: Hydration remains essential during the recovery period. Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to allow smooth passage of the foods and support the healing process.
Monitor acid reflux: After treatment, some patients develop acid reflux. Hence, look for symptoms such as heartburn, chest pain or regurgitation of undigested food items.
Living with achalasia cardia can be frustrating and requires proper management. Before treatment, the focus should be on minimising discomfort and avoiding complications. After achalasia cardia treatment, lifestyle strategies emphasise long-term recovery and improving the quality of life.
If you are dealing with achalasia cardia, get in touch with Dr. Purnendu Bhowmik. He is an expert in the management of this condition, offering advanced treatment options to provide immediate and effective relief.