Warning Signs Of Esophageal Achalasia

Coughing

Although coughing alone is not a clear indicator that an individual has achalasia, some patients may experience more coughing than usual, especially when lying down horizontally. Food that becomes lodged or stuck in the lower esophagus may cause coughing as the body is trying to expel the food and remove it either through regurgitation or swallowing, as it may be blocking part of the patient’s airway. An individual may also cough or gag when they are trying to swallow foods or beverages due to the nerves and muscles in the esophagus not working properly. If a patient experiences a chronic cough and no treatments are able to help them overcome it and a doctor has ruled out GERD, a persistent cough, especially whenever a patient is eating, should be considered another sign of esophageal achalasia.

Continue reading to learn about a serious risk associated with this disorder.