RAK hospital helps woman rectify food-pipe disorder after years of treatment abroad

Ras Al Khaimah - The 73-year-old patient had Achalasia Cardia, a serious condition caused by the absence of nerves in esophagus.

After going through two unsuccessful surgeries abroad and suffering with excruciating pain in stomach, throat and difficulty swallowing for two years, Bindu F Dukuly, an American woman, finally found cure at the Ras Al Khaimah Hospital.
The 73-year-old patient had Achalasia Cardia, a serious condition caused by the absence of nerves in esophagus, according to Dr Anup Kumar Panigrahi, senior specialist and head of department, minimal access surgery.
"The commonest symptom of achalasia is difficulty in swallowing, and patients get a sensation that the swallowed food gets stuck in the chest."
This problem invariably progresses and becomes severe, he added. "Other symptoms include regurgitation of swallowed food and liquid, chest pain, heartburn, a sensation of fullness or a lump in the throat, hiccups, and weight loss."
The hospital was quick to diagnose the dysfunction of the food pipe, he said. "The esophageal function was restored by expert surgeons using keyhole surgery.
"As a result, the case had complicated further and it was quite a challenge to operate on her. She had also lost a significant amount of weight and was weak, which made it even more difficult to perform corrective surgery."
The patient had reached a stage wherein swallowing liquids was also impossible for her, making the condition totally unbearable, he explained. "The pain from her stomach and throat radiated to her ears and even arms, to an extent that even bending and lifting became tedious tasks."
Due to the similarity of symptoms, this disorder can sometimes be mistaken for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hiatus hernia, and even psychosomatic disorders and heart attack, he warned.
ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com

• Ras Al Khaimah