Best Doctors in India for Achalasia Treatment
Best Hospitals in India for Achalasia Treatment
- City: Bengaluru, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta, Bengaluru was established in 2006.
- The hospital is a 276 bedded multi-specialty tertiary care facility.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like trans-radial angioplasty, trans-abdominal cardiac surgery, and computerized TKR navigation surgery.
- The hospital provides specialty medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, orthopedics, neurology, neuro-surgery, GI, and Minimal Access Surgery (MAS).
- City: Chennai, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Malar was established in 1992 and was formerly known as Malar Hospital.
- The hospital specializes in cutting-edge medical technology and dedicated patient care services.
- The hospital is multi-specialty, tertiary care facility with 180 beds.
- The hospital offers comprehensive medical care in specialties such as cardiology, cardio-thoracic surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, nephrology, gynecology, gastroenterology, urology, pediatrics, and diabetes.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 1996, Pushpawati Singhania Research Institute is one of the top hospitals in the NCR region, as well as one of the top facilities in India for gastroenterology. The hospital is one of South Asia’s first institutes in medical and surgical treatment for diseases related to digestion.
- The hospital is equipped with state-of-the art facilities coupled with the latest equipment as well as renowned consultants from various parts of India as well as other parts of the world.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- State-of-the-art technology and devoted healthcare professionals have been brought together under one roof at Venkateshwar Hospital to provide genuine medical care. The hospital’s professionals work together as a team to deliver the best possible treatment to their patients, using the most sophisticated equipment and information technology.
- Venkateshwar Hospital’s mission is to attain global excellence in healthcare by employing evidence-based, ethical clinical practices and cutting-edge technology by a team of highly skilled experts.
- City: New Delhi, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi is known to provide the latest medical procedures with the latest technology in all of its units.
- The hospital has a team of reputed doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals that ensure that patients receive quality care at affordable costs.
- Staffed with a team of highly qualified doctors, dedicated nurses, and paramedical and non-medical staff, the hospital aims to lead in healthcare delivery, medical education, training, and research.
- As per the vision of the founder, the hospital also provides free treatment to the economically weaker sections of society.
- Sir Ganga Ram Hospital also provides training to young doctors under the Diplomate in National Board(DNB) program. The DNB program at the hospital was started in 1984 and it is known for currently running the maximum number of DNB specialties in the country. It also has the distinction of having the first bone bank in India.
- City: Kerala, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Established in 2019, Apollo Adlux Hospital is the first Apollo Hospital in Kerala and the 73rd hospital owned by Apollo Group in India. With the state’s most advanced, comprehensive healthcare infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, Apollo Adlux Hospital stands as an example of medical excellence in Kerala.
- With over 34 multi-specialty departments, the hospital believes in providing the best quality treatment to its patients at affordable rates, ensuring comfort at their difficult times.
- The 300-bed hospital is managed by a team of highly qualified and experienced experts who delivers exceptional hospitality to their patients and treats them with great compassion.
- With its affiliation with the Apollo Hospitals Group, the hospital aims in providing patients with top-notch healthcare services while also serving communities in Kerala.
- The hospital has good railway and road connections, and is conveniently close to Cochin International Airport.
- City: Gurugram, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Situated near DLF Cyber City, Gurugram, Narayana Superspecialty Hospital is one of the top medical facilities in the Delhi NCR region, catering to the needs of the people. Known for its commitment to quality medical care and patient service, the hospital is a state-of-the-art facility with planned and well-equipped sections, which includes a spacious OPD area as well as comfortable patient rooms.
- It is the closest super-specialty hospital from Indira Gandhi International Airport towards Gurugram, and also the nearest super specialty hospital from DLF Cyber City. It is also close to major residential areas in Gurugram.
- It is part of the renowned Narayana Health Group. Established in 2000, by Dr. Devi Shetty, a renowned cardiac surgeon, it has grown to be one fo India’s leading healthcare groups.
- City: Noida, India
Hospital Highlights:
- Fortis Hospital, Noida, stands as one of the oldest and most trusted healthcare institutions in the region, setting a benchmark for comprehensive medical care.
- As the second mega hub hospital in the Fortis Healthcare Group, Fortis Hospital, Noida, upholds a legacy of trust among more than 1.2 million patients. By integrating top-tier professionals with cutting-edge technology, the hospital delivers superior treatment across various medical disciplines.
- Specializing in advanced Neurosciences, Orthopedics, Kidney and Liver Transplant Programmes, Fortis Hospital, Noida has successfully performed over 1,500 transplants, solidifying its reputation as a leader in specialized medical interventions.
ACHALASIA
Achalasia is a rare condition of the muscle of the esophagus or swallowing tube. It occurs when the nerves in the esophagus suffer damage. The term achalasia itself means ‘failure to relax’ and it refers to the inability of the lower esophageal sphincter to open and pass food into the stomach. Due to this, people suffering from this condition have difficulty swallowing food.
Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for achalasia, since once the esophagus is paralyzed, the muscle is unable to work properly again. However, symptoms can be managed by treatments.
Symptoms
The symptoms of achalasia include:
- Difficulty in swallowing food
- Regurgitation of food that is retained in the esophagus. If this happens at night, food may be aspirated into the lungs, which is a serious medical problem
- Loss of weight caused by reduced intake of food
- Chest discomfort caused by esophageal dilation and/or retained food
- Sharp chest pain where usually the cause is unclear
- Heartburn
Causes
What exactly causes achalasia is still not properly understood. However, according to scientists, it may be caused by a loss of nerve cells in the esophagus. There are several theories about what causes this, and it is suspected that autoimmune responses or a viral infection may lead to the condition. Although it is rare, achalasia might be caused by a genetic disorder or infection as well.
Diagnosis
Sometimes, achalasia can be overlooked or misdiagnosed due to its symptoms similar to other digestive disorders, since it has symptoms that are similar to other digestive disorders. The following are likely to be recommended by your doctor:
Esophageal manometry
This test helps to measure the rhythmic muscle contractions in your esophagus when you swallow, as well as the coordination and force exerted by the esophagus muscles. It also measures how well your lower esophageal sphincter relaxes or opens while you are swallowing. This test helps to determine the type of motility problem you might have.
X-rays of your upper digestive system (esophagram)
First, you drink a chalky liquid that coats and fills the inside lining of your digestive tract, after which an X-ray will be taken. This coating helps your doctor see a silhouette of your esophagus, stomach as well as the upper intestine. You might need to swallow a barium pill that can help to show a blockage of the esophagus.
Upper endoscopy
In this method, your doctor will insert a thin, flexible tube equipped with a light and camera (endoscope) down your throat, to examine the inside of your esophagus and stomach. Endoscopy helps to define a partial blockage of the esophagus if your symptoms or results of a barium study indicate that possibility. Endoscopy can also be used in order to collect a sample of tissue to be tested for complications.
Specific treatment depends on your age, health condition, and the severity of the achalasia.
Treatment
The goal of the treatment is to relax or stretch the lower esophageal sphincter so that the food and liquid are able to move easily through your digestive tract.
Nonsurgical treatments
Nonsurgical treatment options include the following:
Pneumatic dilation
In this method, a balloon is inserted by endoscopy into the center of the esophageal sphincter and inflated to enlarge the opening. This outpatient procedure may need to be repeated if the esophageal sphincter doesn’t stay open. Nearly one-third of people treated with balloon dilation need repeat treatment within five years. This procedure requires sedation.
Medication
Your doctor may suggest muscle relaxants before you consume your meal. However, it is noteworthy that these medications have certain side effects.
This is a muscle relaxant which may be injected directly into the esophageal sphincter with an endoscopic needle. These injections may need to be repeated.
Surgical options
Surgical options include the following:
Heller myotomy
In this procedure, the surgeon cuts the muscle at the lower end of the esophageal sphincter as this will allow food to pass more easily into the stomach. This procedure can be performed noninvasively as well. However, it is to be noted that people undergoing this procedure might later develop gastroesophageal reflux disease later or GERD.
To avoid future problems with GERD, your doctor might also perform another procedure at the same time, which is known as fundoplication. This procedure is meant to prevent acid from coming back to the esophagus.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM)
In this procedure, your surgeon uses an endoscope which is inserted through your mouth and down your throat in order to create an incision in the inside lining of your esophagus. Then, similar to a Heller myotomy, your surgeon will cut the muscle at the lower end of your esophageal sphincter.
This procedure may also be combined with or followed by a fundoplication as this will help in preventing GERD.