Treated by Dr. Ravi Chandra Reddy Obili at Dr Ravi Chandra Reddy
Achalasia is a condition where the muscles of the oesophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach) do not work properly. The lower valve fails to relax, and the oesophagus loses its ability to push food downward. This makes swallowing difficult and can cause food to get stuck or come back up.
The oesophagus shows no significant contractions; the muscle is mostly inactive and the lower valve does not relax.
The oesophagus shows some pressure waves along its length, though they do not push food effectively.
The oesophagus has forceful, uncoordinated contractions that can cause chest pain in addition to swallowing difficulty.
Multiple factors can contribute to the development and progression of this condition.
Recognising the signs early gives you more treatment options.
Diagnosis begins with your medical history and symptoms, followed by tests to see how your oesophagus moves and relaxes. Not every patient requires all tests; the choice depends on your individual presentation.
From conservative to surgical — we always start with the least invasive option first.
A structured, patient-first approach from first visit to full recovery.
Dr Ravi Chandra Reddy takes time to understand your swallowing difficulties, how long they have been present, and how they affect your daily life and nutrition.
Based on your symptoms, tests such as barium swallow, endoscopy, or manometry are arranged to confirm the diagnosis and understand the type of achalasia.
You will be guided through the available treatments, from dietary changes and medications to dilation or surgery, with a clear explanation of what each involves.
Follow-up is arranged to monitor your response to treatment, address any new symptoms, and adjust the care plan as needed.
What to expect at each phase of recovery.
After dilation or surgery, a liquid or soft diet is usually recommended for a few days. Discomfort and mild chest soreness are common and improve with time.
Over the following weeks, you can slowly reintroduce solid foods as swallowing improves. Individual guidance on diet progression is provided based on your response.
Regular follow-up helps ensure symptoms remain controlled and allows early detection of any complications such as reflux or recurrence of swallowing difficulty.
Most patients experience significant relief from difficulty swallowing after treatment, allowing them to eat and drink more comfortably.
Some patients develop acid reflux after treatment, particularly after surgery, and may need medication to manage it.
Dilation may need to be repeated, and a small number of patients may not achieve lasting relief from the first treatment approach.
With improved swallowing, weight and nutritional status often improve, though this depends on how advanced the condition was before treatment.
Untreated achalasia typically worsens over time, leading to progressive difficulty swallowing, significant weight loss, and malnutrition. The oesophagus may become very dilated and twisted, increasing the risk of food entering the lungs. Long-standing achalasia is also associated with a small increase in the risk of oesophageal cancer.
You should seek medical advice if you have persistent difficulty swallowing both solids and liquids, especially if it is getting worse over time. If you are experiencing regurgitation of food, unintended weight loss, or chest discomfort after eating, it is important to have these symptoms assessed. Early evaluation can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
Early treatment means more options and better outcomes. Book a consultation to understand your condition and explore the right path forward.
