An experienced surgeon – one well-versed in minimally invasive surgery – Dr. Michael Latzko occasionally treats patients struggling with achalasia. An often-serious condition that affects the esophagus, achalasia is typically a hereditary condition or the result of an autoimmune condition – and most commonly occurs in those who are in middle-age or older.
As Dr. Michael Latzko knows, those affected by achalasia will often report difficulty swallowing – or the feeling of food being stuck in their esophagus. This can then lead to coughing and even choking on food. Other symptoms of achalasia include:
· Heartburn
· Weight loss
· Chest discomfort or pain
· Intense discomfort or pain after meals.
· Regurgitation (though this symptom could be a sign of other GI conditions, such as reflux).
There are several types of treatment for achalasia, including the dilation or alteration of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES). Esophagomyotomy is the surgical procedure many surgeons use to alter the LES and improve its flow to the stomach.
