Acidification of the esophagus in post-POEM achalasia patients: all that glitters is not gold

Esophageal achalasia is a rare but debilitating motility disorder mainly characterized by the failure of the lower esophageal sphincter to relax during swallowing, leading to symptoms such as dysphagia, regurgitation, chest pain, and weight loss. The true prevalence of esophageal achalasia remains unclear because of the variability of reported cases across different populations. However, estimates suggest an incidence of 1 in 100,000 individuals annually. Over the years, medications such as nitrates and calcium channel blockers, pneumatic dilation of the cardia, and Heller myotomy have been used to manage esophageal achalasia, each with its own benefits and limitations.
Source: Gastrointestinal Endoscopy - Category: Gastroenterology Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research