What it is
It happens when the nerves in the wall of the oesophagus are damaged, usually for reasons that are not known. It tends to come on gradually, most often between the ages of 25 and 60.
Treatment aims to open the lower valve, with a balloon stretch during endoscopy, a keyhole operation or an endoscopic procedure, and sometimes medicines or injections.
Common signs
- Difficulty swallowing both food and drink, getting slowly worse
- Bringing up undigested food
- Chest pain or heartburn
- Coughing at night and weight loss
How it is usually diagnosed
- Oesophageal manometry, which measures pressure and muscle activity in the food pipe
- A barium swallow X-ray
- An endoscopy (camera test) to rule out other causes
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- Manometry and barium swallow reports
- Endoscopy reports
- Notes from each dilation or operation, with dates
- A record of your weight over time
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which treatment do you recommend for me, and why?
- How likely is it that I will need treatment again?
- What should I eat or avoid after treatment?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Food stuck in your throat or chest that will not go down, especially if you cannot swallow saliva
- Vomiting blood
- Chest pain with breathlessness
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.