10 Achalasia Symptoms
Article Sources
- 1. Achalasia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 5 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519515/#article-17083.s2
- 2. Achalasia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 21 Oct. 2020, [www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850)
- 3. Diaphragm Disorders - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 1 Apr. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470172/#article-20467.s5
- 4. An Overview of Achalasia and Its Subtypes. PubMed Central (PMC), [www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5572971/](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5572971/)
- 5. Pneumonia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 13 June 2020, [www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204)
- 6. Anderson, S. H., Yadegarfar, G., Arastu, M. H., Anggiansah, R., & Anggiansah, A. (2006). The relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and achalasia. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 18(4), 369–374.
- 7. Practical Tips to Reduce Bloating, Belching and Gas. Mayo Clinic, 13 Feb. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/in-depth/gas-and-gas-pains/art-20044739
Achalasia is a rare condition that affects the functionality of the esophagus, particularly when the nerves that control muscle movement (peristalsis) are damaged to the point that food cannot pass through the esophagus to the stomach to be digested. Achalasia also affects the opening and closing of the esophageal sphincter that allows food to pass to the stomach and keep it from coming back up.
Often mistaken for other gastrointestinal conditions, achalasia will cause paralysis of the esophagus, preventing the transfer of food for digestion. A gastrointestinal specialist or gastroenterologist can confirm the condition, and prescribe medications or surgery that can help with this condition.
Difficulty Swallowing
The main symptom of achalasia is difficulty swallowing food or liquid. Also known as dysphagia, this symptom occurs when the esophagus does not produce normal peristaltic movement to help move food and liquids to the stomach, where digestion renders the food to absorbable nutrients needed for the body.1Achalasia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 5 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519515/#article-17083.s2
A person with dysphagia can feel like their food is stuck in the throat or even have chest pains due to blockage of food in the lower esophagus. Dysphagia is a common symptom for other gastrointestinal diseases and should be examined closely by a gastroenterologist.1Achalasia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 5 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519515/#article-17083.s2
Regurgitation
An unpleasant side effect of achalasia is regurgitation. This occurs when food or liquid comes out from the esophagus due to weak esophageal sphincters (muscles that control the opening and closing of the gastrointestinal system).2Achalasia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 21 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850
Regurgitation can occur without warning, particularly after a meal or when a person is lying down. This symptom is also a common symptom for gastroesophageal reflux disease, which is usually treated with medication. It is important that a proper diagnosis be made to distinguish between the two.2Achalasia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 21 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850
Chest Pain
Although chest pain is one of the symptoms of achalasia, it is commonly mistaken for heart disease, and most emergency departments will focus on testing the patient for acute myocardial infarction or heart attack.
Complicating matters is that pain is often constant, even when other symptoms improve. It may also cause issues with swallowing and result in dangerous weight loss. Serious damage to the esophagus can be avoided by early diagnosis of this condition.1Achalasia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 5 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519515/#article-17083.s2
Unexplained Coughing
As achalasia progresses, the esophagus can become so inflamed that it presses against the trachea and can cause tracheal obstruction. This stimulates the nerves in the trachea to send a signal to the brain to trigger coughing as a means to expel whatever is blocking the trachea.1Achalasia - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 5 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519515/#article-17083.s2
Since achalasia is relatively uncommon, the symptom of unexplained coughing may lead to imaging studies of the lungs or throat, without consideration of the esophagus or stomach as a source of the symptom.
Hiccups
Almost everyone has experienced hiccups enough to know that it is more of a nuisance than an illness. However, for a person with achalasia, hiccups may indicate an underlying problem in the esophagus.
Hiccups are caused by muscle spasms in the diaphragm. Part of the esophagus goes through an opening in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. When the esophagus becomes inflamed or suffers nerve damage, this can trigger muscle spasms in the diaphragm.3Diaphragm Disorders - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. National Center for Biotechnology Information, 1 Apr. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470172/#article-20467.s5
Vomiting
An often overlooked symptom of achalasia is vomiting. As a single symptom, vomiting can easily be dismissed as a result of a stomach bug, food poisoning or even pregnancy.
With achalasia, vomiting is a serious symptom. The esophagus is not working properly to transport food and liquid to the stomach, so the small amount of nutrition that is able to make it to the stomach is valuable, and vomiting removes that nutrition.2Achalasia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 21 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850
Unexplained Weight Loss
Lack of nutrition is the cause of weight loss in people who have achalasia. The esophagus lacks the ability to move food or liquids into the stomach, where food is broken down into nutrients. Unexplained weight loss is also a symptom of various other conditions.4An Overview of Achalasia and Its Subtypes. PubMed Central (PMC), www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5572971/
A person who has unexplained weight loss should immediately consult a physician. The lack of proper nutrition can lead to other diseases that affect the muscles, bones, nerves and brain function. Diagnostic testing for unexplained weight loss is necessary.
Aspiration Pneumonia
A serious symptom of achalasia is aspiration pneumonia. When a person is unable to properly swallow food, liquid, and saliva, these materials can be inhaled through the trachea, or air pipe, and into the lungs, causing aspiration pneumonia, which can lead to bacterial or fungal infections of the lungs.2Achalasia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 21 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850
Achalasia is not the only disease that can cause aspiration pneumonia. Brain injuries or oropharyngeal dysphagia can also be a cause of aspiration pneumonia. It is a very dangerous symptom, particularly for the elderly.5Pneumonia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 13 June 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pneumonia/symptoms-causes/syc-20354204
Heartburn
Heartburn is a common enough occurrence to be dismissed as overindulgence or the consequences of eating spicy or acidic foods. Most people can take an antacid and think no more of it. For people with achalasia, heartburn is a long-term condition and can cause a person to not want to eat at all.
Achalasia causes heartburn when the esophagus stores undigested food instead of transporting it to the stomach. It is common to diagnose gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the culprit for heartburn.6Anderson, S. H., Yadegarfar, G., Arastu, M. H., Anggiansah, R., & Anggiansah, A. (2006). The relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and achalasia. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 18(4), 369–374. https://doi.org/10.1097/00042737-200604000-00009
Belching
Belching or burping is the expelling of air from the upper GI system. It is usually of no consequence and for the most part, occurs from the swallowing of air into the esophagus. Belching, accompanied by abdominal distension or pain, is a different matter.6Anderson, S. H., Yadegarfar, G., Arastu, M. H., Anggiansah, R., & Anggiansah, A. (2006). The relationship between gastro-oesophageal reflux symptoms and achalasia. European journal of gastroenterology & hepatology, 18(4), 369–374. https://doi.org/10.1097/00042737-200604000-00009
Persons with achalasia do report belching as a symptom, but most gastrointestinal disorders have many of the same symptoms. The best way to a proper diagnosis of any gastrointestinal disorder is having an upper and lower GI scope performed.2Achalasia - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, 21 Oct. 2020, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352850
