The list of treatments mentioned in various sources for Achalasia includes the following list. Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment or change in treatment plans.
Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Achalasia include:
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Treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum is usually palliative and includes a bland diet, thorough chewing, and drinking water after eating to flush out the sac. However, severe symptoms or a large diverticulum necessitates surgery to remove the sac or facilitate drainage. An esophagomyotomy may be necessary to prevent recurrence.
A midesophageal diverticulum seldom requires therapy except when esophagitis aggravates the risk of rupture, in which case treatment includes antacids and an antireflux regimen: keeping the head elevated, maintaining an upright position for 2 hours after eating, eating small meals, controlling chronic coughing, and avoiding constrictive clothing.
Epiphrenic diverticulum requires treatment of accompanying motor disorders. Achalasia is treated by repeated dilations of the esophagus; acute spasm is controlled by anticholinergic administration and diverticulum excision; and dysphagia or severe pain are relieved by surgical excision or suspending the diverticulum to promote drainage. Treatment may also include parenteral feeding to improve the patient’s nutritional status.
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Treatment depends on the type of diverticulum. For example:
❑ A small, asymptomatic Zenker’s diverticulum may be observed. Treatment includes a bland diet, thorough chewing, and drinking water after eating to flush out the sac. Symptomatic patients may require surgery to remove the sac or to facilitate drainage. An esophagomyotomy to prevent recurrence is required in most cases.
❑ A midesophageal (traction) diverticulum seldom requires therapy except when esophagitis aggravates the risk of rupture. Then, treatment includes antacids and an antireflux regimen: keeping the head elevated, maintaining an upright position for 2 hours after eating, eating small meals, controlling chronic coughing, and avoiding constrictive clothing.
❑ Epiphrenic diverticulum requires treatment of accompanying motor disorders, such as achalasia, by repeated dilatations of the esophagus, of acute spasm by anticholinergic administration and diverticulum excision, and of dysphagia or severe pain by surgical excision; if there’s an associated hiatal hernia or incompetent lower esoph-ageal sphincter, an antireflux operation is performed. Calcium channel blockers may be used to relax smooth muscles, decrease esophageal pressure, and improve swallowing.
❑ Depending on the patient’s nutritional status, treatment may also include insertion of a nasogastric tube (passed carefully to prevent perforation) and tube feedings to prepare for the stress of surgery.
Source: Handbook of Diseases, 2003
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