ACHALASIA AND DYSPHAGIA
Written by Slawomir (“Swavak”) Gromadzki, MPH
Dysphagia is a term that refers to the difficulty to swallow. In achalasia smooth muscle fibres fail to relax. Sphincter does not open when needed to transfer food from mouth to the stomach and therefore food doesn’t reach the stomach causing it to feel empty even though a person is eating. It causes backflow of food that comes in.
SYMPTOMS
Key achalasia symptoms: Difficulty swallowing food, heartburn, muscles pain, difficulties in digestion, chest pain, coughing and breathing problems, if food gets into the lungs.
CAUSES
The degeneration of nerves in the oesophagus often contributes to the advanced symptoms of achalasia. In achalasia the nerves in the oesophagus become damaged and stop working properly, causing dysfunction of muscles. Although the exact of the neurological damage is unknown yet it is believed that in some people, it may be linked to a viral infection and possibly accumulation of toxins, deficiency of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, chronic emotional stress, as well as other lifestyle and environmental factors.
TREATMENT
Implement principles from HEALTH RECOVERY PLAN > and from ACID REFLUX, GERD, HEARTBURN >
– Magnesium may be the key remedy in dealing with the symptoms of achalasia and dysphagia, all the more since it is estimated that 80% of population may be deficient in this most important minerals. Evidence is overwhelming that low levels of magnesium contribute to the heavy metal deposition that precedes different neurological conditions. Magnesium Citrate alone could relax the oesophagus enough to make swallowing much easier as it will help oesophageal muscle to relax. Magnesium citrate is a very well absorbed type of magnesium: 2 times a day 200-400 mg between meals. The more vitamin D3 is used the more magnesium must be taken as D3 leads to magnesium deficiency.
Read more about MAGNESIUM >
– You can also use raw coconut oil which is also fantastic for connective tissues and mucosa and will help to kill yeast/fungus. You can eat 2 tablespoons per day.
“For over 5 years my husband have had swallowing difficulties. Initially it was solids then semi-liquids and cold liquids. He would experienced chest pain and frequently had to regurgitate to relieve the pain. Though we never get a proper diagnosis for his disease, I believe he has Achalasia. I’ve decided to include coconut oil into my husband’s diet as in my course of work, MCT oil (found in coconut oil) were also given to premature babies to supplement their feeding or babies with GERD. My husband started with 2 tablespoon of organic Virgin Coconut Oil on 2 June 2012. In slightly over 2 weeks he was able to eat and swallow comfortably without any choking episodes, no regurgitation of food because he said he can feel the food moving down into the stomach.” (source >)
– Try to relax and learn to control stress as there is a direct correlation between stress and achalasia. In order to calm down nervous system try to take 400mg of Magnesium citrate before breakfast and before bed, B complex (50-100mg) after breakfast, 30-50 mg of Zinc citrate after meal, and drink 2-3 times a day herbal teas such as Lemon balm, Chamomile, Tulsi (Holy basil), etc.
– Ginger has been used for many people as very effective digestive aid and natural remedy for digestive problems, weak immunity or nausea. Ginger also relaxes the smooth muscle in the oesophagus and gastro-intestinal tract.
– Centaurium (Centaury) tincture should be helpful in reducing symptoms of achalasia as it helped many people suffering from acid reflux.
– Chlorella: Contains nucleic acids DNA and RNA believed to help reverse neurological damage. Since Chlorella is a powerful detoxifier and energy booster it is better to start with a smaller dose such as 1 teaspoon or 3 tablets 30 minutes before breakfast and the same amount 30 minutes before lunch with 2 glasses of water, vegetable juice or smoothie. Then gradually increase the intake every day (by approximately 1 tablet) until reaching the maximum dose of 2 or 3 heaped tablespoons or 10 – 20 tablets (500mg) 30 min before breakfast and the same amount 30 min before lunch. Altogether you can take 2-6 round tablespoons or about 20-40 tablets (500mg per tablet) of chlorella a day. The dose of course also depends on age and body weight. After three months instead of Chlorella use Spirulina or even better Clean Greens (Pukka) for a month or two and then come back to Chlorella.
– Alpha lipoic acid: 2 times a day 250-300mg. Alpha lipoic acid has proven its ability to prevent oxidative stress caused by radicals and other factors in nerve tissue. It helps to maintain high glutathione levels which are found to be depleted in individuals diagnosed with neurological conditions. Current research also reveals protective effects of alpha lipoic acid in neuropathy, excitotoxic amino acid brain injury, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other causes of damage to neural or brain tissue.
– Slippery Elm is another very effective remedy. It protects the mucus membranes of the oesophagus.
– Sucking charcoal tablets or drinking powder with a glass of warm water might be very helpful too (requires drinking more water in between meals).
– Formulas with variety of digestive enzymes will improve digestion. Fresh raw sprouts are 30 times higher in digestive enzymes than other healthy foods!
– Drink 1-2 glasses of fresh and raw vegetable juices (carrot, beetroot, kale, spinach, etc.) 2-3 with 1 tablespoon of barley grass powder 2 times a day before meals.
– Potassium deficiency can result in muscle cramps and spasms. For this reason every day eat big bowl of raw vegetable salad, potatoes in skin, banana, and 1 cup of raw coconut water per day. In addition take 100 mg of Potassium Citrate with one of your meals.
– Make sure you’re getting enough OMEGA 3 from cold-pressed flax oil as it is anti-inflammatory.
– Vitamin B12 (must be sublingual Methylcobalamin and not Cyanocobalamin!): 2,000 mcg of good quality methylcobalamin under tongue only in the morning after breakfast. B12 is known to help reverse neurological damage.
– Another excellent remedy that may help regenerate damaged nerves is Acetyl L-carnitine:
Acetyl-l-carnitine has significant therapeutic value in the treatment of neuropathic pain >
– Neuropathies are associated with lower vitamin D levels. You must take Vitamin D3 because almost all people in the UK are deficient in Vitamin D! While using vitamin D3 supplements always remember to take also well absorbed magnesium (such as citrate) as vitamin D supplements lead to magnesium deficiency over time. Take at least 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day with meal. But since deficiency of this vitamin is so widespread (especially in the UK) it would be better to take 20,000 to 30,000 IU a day with meals with appropriate doses of magnesium. Another requirement for proper absorption of vitamin D is 200 mcg of Vitamin K2 MK-7 (Derived from Natural Natto) a day. Read more about vitamin D >
The most important way of obtaining vitamin D is of course through regular sun exposures during summer time between 10am and 2pm. Vitamin D has properties that defend against cell injury caused via free radicals and it affects detoxification pathways which are of importance in disc cell nutritional balance. Vitamin D also affects sensory neurons to modulate pain, influences neuron excitability and acts at the level of substantia gelatinosa and spinal ganglion in the process of sensory perception.
Since vitamin D supplements lead to magnesium deficiency, and because according to recent studies almost every in the UK person is now deficient not only in vitamin D but also magnesium, you must take 400 to 800mg of good quality magnesium every day
– Good quality multivitamin-mineral formula (high in B vitamins): 1 tablet after breakfast. Please do not buy cheap formulas as their potency is very low and they contain only short list of inorganic ingredients. It must be a good quality formula such as Healthy Mega (HealthAid), VM75 (Solgar) or Special Two (NOW Foods) which are an excellent multi-vitamin and mineral formulas fortified with alfalfa powder, rutin, citrus bioflavonoids, bromelain, herbs, digestive enzymes and many other super nutrients. If your diet is very healthy and you stay away from refined foods, sugar and stimulants then take only 1/2 tablet after breakfast.
– Since Vitamin B complex (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, Folate) play very important role in dealing with ADHD I recommand getting B complex with a good quality multivitamin-mineral formula which is high in B vitamins.
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Implement principles from HEALTH RECOVERY PLAN > and from ACID REFLUX, GERD, HEARTBURN >
Any information or product suggested on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Consult your primary healthcare physician before using any supplements or making any changes to your regime.