Does achalasia affect breathing?
Does achalasia affect breathing?
The symptoms of achalasia are difficulty swallowing and, sometimes, chest pain. Regurgitation of food that is trapped in the esophagus can occur, and this can lead to coughing or breathing problems when the regurgitated food enters the throat or lungs.
Which is the primary symptom of achalasia?
The most common symptom of achalasia is difficulty swallowing. Patients often experience the sensation that swallowed material, both solids and liquids, gets stuck in the chest. This problem often begins slowly and progresses gradually.
Can achalasia cause wheezing?
The most common symptoms of achalasia are gastrointestinal symptoms including dysphagia and regurgitation of undigested food. However, in many cases, it is accompanied by respiratory symptoms including cough and wheezing.
Does achalasia cause coughing?
Cough can occur in achalasia primarily due to aspiration of the undigested food particles or airway compression from dilated esophagus[2]. Due to its rare occurrence, achalasia is not commonly thought of in evaluating children with chronic cough and diagnosis can be consequently delayed.
Can achalasia cause aspiration pneumonia?
As time passes, the esophagus becomes more dilated (widened), making it harder to swallow food and fluid. Achalasia can lead to other problems, such as: Aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection that can be caused by breathing in regurgitated food or liquids. Esophageal cancer (rare).
What is the primary complication of achalasia?
Esophageal cancer. People with achalasia are at higher risk for this type of cancer.
How do you diagnose achalasia?
To test for achalasia, your doctor is likely to recommend: Esophageal manometry. This test measures the rhythmic muscle contractions in your esophagus when you swallow, the coordination and force exerted by the esophagus muscles, and how well your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes or opens during a swallow.
Does achalasia cause mucus?
The other classic symptom of achalasia is regurgitation of bland, undigested food that is not acidic, or sometimes white, thick phlegm, which is actually swallowed saliva that pools in the lower esophagus.
Does achalasia cause chest pain?
Conclusions: Chest pain is a common symptom of achalasia and predominantly affects younger patients. Its cause remains unknown, and no treatment exists to effectively relieve this symptom. However, with advancing age, the frequency of chest pain will spontaneously diminish in most patients.
Can achalasia cause bronchiectasis?
Achalasia is an idiopathic motility disorder of the esophagus. Respiratory findings of achalasia are often secondary to regurgitation and aspiration. After recurrent aspiration in these patients, pneumonia and bronchiectasis may occur.