Hanoi Anh Hung, 31 years old, has had difficulty swallowing and vomiting while eating for a month now, thought to be acid reflux, the doctor discovered acute gastritis with pyloric spasm.
Mr. Thai Huu Hung (living in Bac Ninh) came to Tam Anh General Hospital in Hanoi for examination because the above symptoms were getting worse, he lost 12 kg (from 71 kg to 59 kg), and was malnourished. Before that, he went to many places for examination, was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux, gastritis, anxiety disorder but taking medicine did not help.
This time, the gastroscopy results showed that the patient's esophagus was constricted at the junction between the esophagus and the stomach. The doctor measured the esophageal motility and diagnosed the patient with type II achalasia with acute gastritis. Achalasia is a functional disorder that prevents the esophagus from pushing food down to the stomach, the lower esophageal sphincter tightens, causing food to stagnate or regurgitate after eating or drinking.
On November 14, Dr. Vu Truong Khanh, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that the patient's symptoms are easily confused with gastroesophageal reflux. However, for patients with achalasia, the reflux fluid has not yet reached the stomach, so it usually does not taste sour. The fluid of patients with gastroesophageal reflux often contains acid and tastes sour.
The patient was given intravenous nutrition and underwent endoscopic intervention using balloon esophageal dilation. One day after the procedure, the symptoms of dysphagia and chest pain decreased. Hung ate easily and was discharged after two days and had regular check-ups to assess his swallowing and esophageal circulation.
Patient recovers after balloon esophageal dilation. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital
Balloon esophageal dilation is the use of an air balloon to dilate and tear the lower esophageal sphincter muscle fibers to help empty the esophagus after swallowing food. This method has a long-term effect, suitable for patients with type I and II achalasia, especially young patients with a short duration of illness and the esophagus has not been clearly deformed. Doctors often perform endoscopic esophageal sphincterectomy surgery when the disease progresses to type III.
After balloon angioplasty, patients should eat soft foods, chew thoroughly, and avoid stimulants.
Dr. Khanh said that achalasia is usually benign, progresses slowly but affects health and quality of life. Symptoms are easily confused with other gastrointestinal diseases.
Diagnostic methods such as gastroscopy and esophageal X-rays can miss lesions in the early stages. If the disease is not treated early, many complications can occur such as esophageal ulcers, malnutrition, pneumonia, cancer in the chronically inflamed area...
People with symptoms of reflux, vomiting, and treatment that does not improve should go to a medical facility specializing in gastroenterology for examination.
Emerald
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