Achalasia is a disease of unknown cause that causes abnormal functioning of the muscles in the esophagus and develops as a result of damage to nerve cells. In the disease, there are no regular muscle contractions in the esophagus, which are normally required to push food into the stomach, and there is thickening of the muscles, abnormal pressure increase in the esophagus and the junction of the esophagus and stomach, and relaxation disorder. Assoc. Prof. from the Department of Gastroenterology. Dr. Erdem Akbal points out that the food taken has difficulty in being pushed towards the stomach, is spoiled in the passage to the stomach and begins to accumulate in the esophagus.
How does achalasia develop?
The disease is a slowly progressing disease. Although it is a disease, the rate of progression of the disease may vary from person to person. Although it is more common in young adults and middle age groups, it is a disease that can be seen in all age groups.
What are the symptoms of achalasia disease?
The most common problem is difficulty swallowing after eating. is an important finding. Feeling of food getting stuck and blocked in the chest, discomfort in the chest, food coming back from the mouth, lung infections as a result of food getting into the lungs, bad breath and chest pain may occur. Since the complaints are similar to reflux disease, there may sometimes be a delay in diagnosis. The majority of achalasia patients are those who have been treated for reflux for many years. For this reason, achalasia disease should be considered in patients who do not respond to reflux treatment, among other findings.
Can achalasia disease be treated with endoscopic method?
The most advanced endoscopic treatment in the world. The methods are now successfully applied in our country. In our center, advanced endoscopic systems are used to perform endoscopic procedures in achalasia disease without requiring surgery. The endoscopic method known as Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is used in achalasia disease.
What is the POEM method in the treatment of achalasia disease?
It is the most effective method used in the treatment of achalasia disease today. . With the POEM method, which was first developed by the Japanese and applied in a few centers in the world, it is entered through the mouth and in the esophagus as if normal endoscopy is performed. The problematic muscles are cut. By endoscopic intervention on the muscles in the esophagus affected by achalasia disease, the patient is allowed to eat again.
Since the procedure is performed endoscopically, there is no incision mark on the body and discharge is provided in a short time. One day after the POEM procedure, which takes approximately 1-1.5 hours, patients start eating and are discharged on the 2nd day.
Can POEM be applied to patients who have previously undergone balloon-botox/surgery?
POEM method is applied to newly diagnosed patients who have not received any treatment before, as well as patients who have previously undergone balloon surgery, botox treatment or surgery due to achalasia disease, but whose complaints have not subsided/started to reoccur.
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