Achalasia is a rare disease that makes it difficult for food and liquid to pass from the swallowing tube into the stomach. It’s a condition marked by a degeneration of the esophageal muscles and the nerves that control them. Since the esophagus muscles don’t work as they should and the sphincter muscle doesn’t open, pushing the food down the digestive system is almost impossible. 

Besides the difficulty in swallowing, people who suffer from this often painful disorder experience chest pain, coughing, weight loss, and regurgitation of food and liquids. Unfortunately, many of them go to great lengths just to get food down. For instance, they raise their arms above their head, stand up, twist their bodies, and even jump up and down repeatedly.

These difficulties in digesting food can cause significantly lower quality of life. Thankfully, people who have this disease have the chance to eat and drink comfortably again once they undergo a procedure called POEM.

What Is POEM?

POEM, also known as per-oral endoscopic myotomy, is a less invasive approach for treating the damaged muscle. Instead of doing external abdominal incisions, a flexible tube called an endoscope is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus. Since the patient receiving it will be under general anesthesia, there’s little to no discomfort during the procedure.

What Are the Benefits of Choosing Poem?

Besides less pain, the POEM procedure allows a quicker recovery. It is less risky and less traumatic to the body. It only takes about 90 minutes, which means the patient can leave the hospital after only one night or even that same day. For this reason, it’s especially helpful for elderly patients and those with complex issues.

What Should You Do Before the Procedure?

Before the procedure, you must limit your diet to full liquids and switch to only clear liquids. You will also receive a prescription for an antibiotic to take beforehand. If you are taking other medicines, your doctor may advise you to change the dose or postpone taking them in the meantime.

What Happens After the POEM Procedure?

After the POEM procedure, you will be observed in the hospital overnight. You will also be asked to go on a liquid diet the next day, eat a soft diet for two weeks, and take an acid-reducing medication for months. Afterward, you can then return to a normal diet. Plus, you can go back to doing regular activities right away since you don’t have to recover from any surgical incisions.

Are There Potential Complications After the Treatment?

POEM is generally a safe procedure. But just like any other treatment, it comes with risks. It may increase the risk of long-term acid reflux. Additionally, while rare, there are other potential complications:

• Bleeding 
• A puncture or perforation in the lining of the esophagus
• Black stool
• Blood in the stool
• Fever
• Chills
• Vomiting
• Chest pain
• Stomach pain
• Shortness of breath

Conclusion

Difficulty in swallowing caused by achalasia can lead to a disrupted and uncomfortable lifestyle. Years ago, abdominal surgery that requires incisions to reach the contracted muscle was only the option for patients with this condition. Fortunately, there is now a POEM procedure that offers a less invasive treatment for achalasia. If you are interested in it, look for a leading physician who can provide you with the best results.

Eat and drink comfortably again by getting POEM surgery from us. Our team is led by Dr. Michel Kahaleh, a world-renowned endoscopist and gastroenterologist specializing in minimally invasive procedures. Book a consultation today!