Achalasia secondary prevention
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Many of the causes of achalasia are not preventable. However, treatment of the disorder may help to prevent complications.
Secondary Prevention
Lifestyle changes
- Achalasia patients need to eat slowly, chew very well, drink plenty of water with meals, and avoid eating near bedtime.
- It is helpful to sleep with the head elevated by raising the head of the bed or using a wedge pillow.
- Proton pump inhibitors may help prevent reflux damage after surgery by inhibiting gastric acid secretion.
- Foods that can aggravate reflux, including ketchup and other tomato products, citrus fruits, chocolate, mint, alcohol, and caffeine, should also be avoided.
Follow-up monitoring
- Even after successful treatment of achalasia, swallowing may still deteriorate over time.
- It's important to check every year or two with a timed barium swallow because some may need pneumatic dilations, a repeat myotomy, or even esophagectomy after many years.
- Some doctors recommend pH testing and endoscopy to check for reflux damage, which may lead to a stricture or cancer of the esophagus if untreated.