Esophageal Diseases

Best Esophageal Disorder Treatment in Hyderabad, India

An esophageal disorder refers to a collection of conditions that affect how the esophagus functions. An esophagus is a tube that travels from your mouth to your stomach to carry food.

The esophagus can be affected by several diseases that cause dysphagia or difficulty swallowing. A common cause of esophageal disorders is gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). GERD is a condition in which excessive stomach acid extends into the esophagus (acid reflux) and causes inflammation. Medicines, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes may be helpful.

Here at CARE Hospitals, our surgeons have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating benign esophageal diseases. Our goal is to determine the best medical approach for you, as well as the best quality of life approach for you. Some of the most common conditions we treat are:

• Achalasia: Restricts food and liquid from travelling through the esophagus to the stomach

• Acid reflux disease/GERD: Severe heartburn, one of the most common benign esophageal ailments

• Paroesophageal hernias: When part of the stomach bulges into the chest

• Benign tumours: Growths that are not cancerous; the most common is leiomyoma

• Esophageal cancer: is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells lining the inner wall of the esophagus.

• Motility disorders and swallowing disorders: A patient who chokes, gags, or has trouble swallowing requires expert care from doctors who can diagnose the underlying cause and prescribe an effective treatment plan.

Thoracic surgeons are usually the best qualified for the Esophageal Disorder Treatment in Hyderabad since most of the esophagus is inside the chest. We are particularly adept at treating complex cases. A short esophagus and previous failed repairs have given us plenty of experience.

What are the types of esophageal disorders?

Different types of esophageal disorders include:

• GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease): Characterized by the improper closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, GERD results in the backward flow of stomach acid and contents into the esophagus.
• Achalasia: Occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to open or relax, hindering the passage of food into the stomach. While experts suspect an autoimmune origin, the exact cause remains unknown, with nerve damage affecting esophageal muscle control.
• Barrett’s Esophagus: Arises in individuals with chronic and untreated acid reflux. The lower part of the esophagus undergoes changes resembling stomach lining, with cells taking on characteristics of intestinal cells. This condition is linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer.
• Eosinophilic Esophagitis: Involves an excessive presence of white blood cells called eosinophils in the esophagus, leading to inflammation or swelling of the esophageal lining. This condition is more prevalent in individuals with multiple allergies.
• Esophageal Cancer: Divided into squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma types, esophageal cancer risk factors include smoking, radiation, HPV infection, and acid reflux.
• Esophageal Diverticulum: Occurs when an outpouching develops in a weakened area of the esophagus, with individuals with achalasia being more susceptible to diverticula formation.
• Esophageal Spasms: Rare but painful, abnormal muscle spasms or contractions affect the esophagus, preventing the smooth passage of food to the stomach.
• Esophageal Strictures: Characterized by a narrowing of the esophagus, this condition leads to slow passage of foods and liquids to the stomach.
• Hiatal Hernias: Involves the upper part of the stomach protruding through an opening in the diaphragm into the chest, leading to increased acid reflux.

Symptoms of Esophageal Disorders

The symptoms can differ based on the specific esophageal disorder you have. You might encounter:

• Abdominal pain, chest pain, or back pain.
• Persistent cough or a sore throat.
• Difficulty in swallowing or a sensation of food being stuck in your throat.
• Heartburn, characterized by a burning sensation in your chest.
• Hoarseness or wheezing.
• Indigestion, marked by a burning feeling in your stomach.
• Regurgitation, where stomach acid or contents flow back up into your esophagus, sometimes leading to vomiting.
• Unexplained weight loss.

Diagnosis of Esophageal Disease

You will be examined by your healthcare provider to determine the cause of your symptoms. You may be asked to swallow so your healthcare provider can examine your neck.

The following tests are used to diagnose esophageal disorders:

• Upper endoscopy involves using a long, thin scope to examine the upper part of the digestive tract. It is also possible that your healthcare provider will take tissue samples for biopsy and check for signs of inflammation, cancer, and other diseases.

• An X-ray of the esophagus and digestive tract (barium swallow) uses radiographic imaging to see how barium solution flows through them.

• An esophageal manometer measures how well your esophagus and esophageal sphincter work during swallowing.

• A pH test of the esophagus measures the level of stomach acid in the stomach.

Risk Factors for Esophageal Disorders

Things that can make it more likely for you to have a problem with your esophagus are:

• Drinking Alcohol: Consuming alcohol.
• Carrying Extra Weight from Being Too Heavy or Pregnant: Being overweight or gaining weight during pregnancy.
• Taking Medicines: Using certain medications, like specific antibiotics, antidepressants, or pain relievers.
• Having Radiation Treatment on Your Neck or Chest: Receiving radiation therapy in your neck or chest.
• Smoking or Being Around Smoke from Others: Smoking yourself or being near others who smoke.

Treatment of Esophageal Disease

Medication:

• Neutralize stomach acid with Antacids.

• Increase stomach acid production with H2 blockers.

• Reduce stomach acid with proton pump inhibitors.

Minimally Invasive:

• Botulinum toxin (Botox): Esophageal muscles can be relaxed by injecting Botox. Your food will pass through your stomach more easily.

• Endoscopy: An intravenous tube allows us to examine the interior of your stomach and esophagus. Among the endoscopic procedures performed with confocal endoscopy are ablation, mucosal and submucosal dissections, and ablative surgery.

• Esophagus mucosal resection: Surgery to remove diseased lymph nodes near the esophagus.

• Laparoscopy: Fiber-optic instruments are inserted into your body to examine your organs or perform procedures. There are many different types of fundoplication, including Nissen fundoplication, partial fundoplication, and gastric bypass.

• Pneumatic dilatation: Expanding the lower portion of the esophageal valve using a scope and balloon. Eating becomes easier because of the ease with which food passes from your esophagus to your stomach.

Open Procedures:

• POEM: Here, your esophagus is opened from the inside, without leaving any visible scarring.

• Heller myotomy: The lower esophagus muscle is incised to relieve pressure on the esophageal sphincter.

• Esophagectomy: We remove part of your esophagus and rebuild it using another organ.

Why choose us?

A multidisciplinary team of experts provides technical skill with an understanding of a broad range of Esophageal problems. Aside from gastroenterologists and surgeons, our team also consists of oncologists, radiologists, otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, speech and physical therapists, and other specialists at CARE Hospitals who will do their best to provide Esophageal Disorder Treatment in Hyderabad.