Achalasia is a condition in which, difficult for food and liquid to pass from esophagus into the stomach. It occurs due to a defect in the lower esophageal sphincter (LES).

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA
CAUSES OF ACHALASIA
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ACHALASIA
DIAGNOSIS OF ACHALASIA
TREATMENTS FOR ACHALASIA
PROGNOSIS OF ACHALASIA
COMPLICATIONS OF ACHALASIA
ACHALASIA AND AYURVEDA
NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF ACHALASIA
PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA
SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF ACHALASIA
LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA
AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF ACHALASIA
CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA
AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA
AYURVEDIC SODHANA TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA
COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR ACHALASIA
HOME REMEDIES FOR ACHALASIA
DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR ACHALASIA
YOGA FOR ACHALASIA
RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF ACHALASIA

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA

Trouble in swallowing
Weight loss
Burning pain in the chest – heartburn
Sour belching
Acid regurgitation

CAUSES OF ACHALASIA

Defect in the functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter
Measles
Genetic influences
Varicella zoster virus
Disorders of the immune system
Autoimmunity
The associated acid regurgitation is aggravated by,
Certain medications like NSAID
Stress
Anxiety
Alcohol
Smoking
Spicy foods
Sour foods
Digestive disorders

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF ACHALASIA

In achalasia nerves in the esophagus become damaged. As a result, the esophagus becomes paralyzed and dilated over time and eventually loses the ability to squeeze food down into the stomach. In patients with GERD, stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and irritates the epithelial lining in the esophagus. The irritation feels like burning pain in the chest. Acid reflux happens when the lower esophageal sphincture doesn’t tighten or close properly. This causes digestive juices from the stomach to rise into the esophagus.

DIAGNOSIS OF ACHALASIA

Endoscopic examination
Esophago-gastroscopy
Esophageal manometry
Ambulatory acid probe tests
Esophageal pH monitoring
X-ray – to find out the normal positioning and shape of esophagus

TREATMENTS FOR ACHALASIA

Pneumatic dilatation
Myotomy
calcium channel blockers

PROGNOSIS OF ACHALASIA

Prognosis is based on the stage of the disease, duration and condition of the patient.
Severe cases may require surgery to avoid serious complications.

COMPLICATIONS OF ACHALASIA

Aspiration pneumonia
Recurrent achalasia may lead to esophageal cancer
Esophageal perforation

ACHALASIA AND AYURVEDA

In Ayurveda,achalasia is managed based on the treatment of ‘amlapitta’

NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES OF ACHALASIA

Excess consumption of dry, acrid, sour food
Improper functioning of agni

PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA

Acid regurgitation followed by burning pain in the chest

SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF ACHALASIA

Due to the above-mentioned causes doshas aggravated especially pitta. The vitiated doshas reside in the stomach and esophagus and produce symptoms of achalasia.

LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ACHALASIA

Burning sensation
Sour belching – amla udgaram
Vomiting
Bitter taste in mouth – tikta asyatha

AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS OF ACHALASIA

Sadya (curable) in the early stage and manageable in chronic stage with proper Ayurvedic remedies.

CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA

AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA

Guluchyadi kashayam after food
Drakshadi gulika along with amalaki swarasa ( gooseberry juice)
Shatavari ghrita
Shankha bhasma
Amlapittantak lauha
Shaddharanam churna
Shankha vati
Avipattikara churna- along with honey at bedtime
Nalikera khanda

AYURVEDIC SODHANA TREATMENT FOR ACHALASIA

Vamana – emesis
Virechana – purgation

COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES FOR ACHALASIA

Internal administration

Guluchyadi kashayam
Drakshadi gulika
Shatavari ghrita
Shankha bhasma
Amlapittantak lauha
Shaddharanam churna
Shankha vati
Avipattikara churna

HOME REMEDIES FOR ACHALASIA

Intake of gooseberry
Intake of resins
Drinking a glass of water in the early morning

DIET AND BEHAVIOUR FOR ACHALASIA

Avoid food items that produce pitta dosha imbalance like more acrid and sour. Because pitta imbalance aggravates the symptoms.
Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
Timely intake of food
Drink appropriate quantity of water
Avoid alcohol and smoking

YOGA FOR ACHALASIA

Nadi Shuddi Pranayam – Calms the mind and gets relief from the discomfort associated with achalasia

The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, with the body relaxed. The patient has to close his one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.

Video: https://youtu.be/d324ZzE-uXc

RESEARCH PAPERS OF AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF ACHALASIA