Achalasia CANCER. Achalasia • Achalasia is a motility disorder of the esophagus characterized by absence of peristalsis and failure of relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter. This causes obstruction at level of esophago- gastric junction. Achalasia • The term achalasia means "failure to relax" and refers to the inability of the lower esophageal to open and let food pass into the stomach. As a result, patients with achalasia have difficulty in swallowing food. • It also known as esophageal achalasia, cardiospasm, and esophageal aperistalsis, is an esophageal motility disorder involving the smooth muscle layer of the esophagus and the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is characterized by incomplete LES relaxation, increased LES tone, and lack of peristalsis of the esophagus (inability of smooth muscle to move food down the esophagus). Etiology • The cause of achalasia, is unknown. Recent studies show achalasia is caused by nerve cells of the involuntary nervous system within the muscle layers of the esophagus. They are attacked by the patient’s own immune system and slowly degenerate for reasons that are not currently understood. • However, a small proportion occurs secondary to other conditions, such as esophageal cancer or Chagas disease (an infectious disease common in South America). Achalasia affects about one person in 100,000 per year. Histopathology of achalasia • Histologic examination shows a decrease in the neurons of the myenteric plexuses. • There is a preferential decrease in the nitric oxide producing cells. These contribute to LES relaxation • There is a relative sparing of the cholinergic neurons which is responsible for maintaining LES tone • The loss of these inhibitory neurons leads to an increased resting tone in the LES.It also leads to aperistalsis of the esophagus Pathophysiology • Achalasia results from the degeneration of neurons in the esophageal wall. • Histological examination reveals decreased numbers of neurons (ganglion cells) in the myenteric plexuses, and the ganglion cells that remain often are surrounded by lymphocytes and, less prominently, by eosinophils. • This inflammatory degeneration specially involves the nitric oxide-producing, inhibitory neurons that effect the relaxation of esophageal smooth muscle. Signs and symptoms The main symptoms of achalasia are • Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) • Regurgitation of undigested food • chest pain behind the sternum, • Weight loss. • Coughing when lying in a horizontal position. • Aspiration. Diagnosis o Three tests are most commonly used to diagnose and evaluate a swallowing problem: • Barium swallow. The patient swallows a barium preparation (liquid or other form) and its movement through the esophagus is evaluated using X-ray. • Endoscopy. A flexible, narrow tube called an endoscope is passed into the esophagus and projects images of the inside of the esophagus onto a screen. • Manometry. This test measures the timing and strength of esophageal contractions and lower esophageal sphincter (valve) relaxation. Treatment • The approach to treatment is to reduce the pressure at the lower esophageal sphincter. Therapy may involve: • Injection with botulinum toxin (Botox). This may help relax the sphincter muscles. • Medications, such as long-acting nitrates or calcium channel blockers, which can be used to relax the lower esophagus sphincter • Surgery (called an esophagomyotomy), which may be needed to decrease the pressure in the lower sphincter • Widening (dilation) of the esophagus at the location of the narrowing. Complication of achalasia o The complications of Achalasia include: • Weight Loss • Pneumonia • Esophagitis • Esophageal Cancer • Achalasia can give rise to many complications if it is not treated in time. These complications may include Back flow of food and Acid in to the Esophagus. If the food items enter in to the Lungs, it can be a cause of Pneumonia. Sometimes a tear may occur in the Esophagus too. Nursing diagnosis • Dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing) related to aperistalsis. • Backflow of food related to narrowing of esophageal hiatus. • Heart burn related to reflux of food. • Pain related to spasm of the esophageal muscle. • Anxiety and stress related to disease. Nursing interventions of achalasia • The nurse works with the patient and family to explore diet and lifestyle modifications that will best control dysphagia, which is prominent in achalasia. • Education begins with careful assessment of the scope of dysphagia, which includes the following: o Swallowing ability with liquids v/s solids. o Response to foods of different textures and temperature. o Variability of the dysphagia. o Response to stress, fatigue and other activities. o Approaches used by the patient to manage the dysphagia and the degree of success. Cont…. • Give antacid to relieve from heart burn. • Give analgesics to relieve from pain. • Encourage the patient and provide emotional support. References • Orlando RC. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello DA, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 140. • Essential of medical surgical nursing by BT Basavanthappa.