A Silent Swallowing Disorder, A Life-Changing Treatment: How Apollo Doctors Are Giving Achalasia Patients A Second Chance

By sparkchronicle.com Jul 14, 2026 0

By Sam Khan | SparkChronicle.

Apollo Doctors Successfully Treat Achalasia Cardia Patients Using POEM Procedure

HYDERABAD : Apollo Hospitals has successfully treated patients suffering from Achalasia Cardia using the advanced POEM procedure. Learn what the condition is, how the treatment works, and why it marks an important step in minimally invasive healthcare.

When Swallowing Water Becomes A Daily Struggle

Most people never think twice before swallowing a sip of water or enjoying a meal.

For patients living with Achalasia Cardia, something as basic as eating or drinking can become physically exhausting and emotionally distressing.

The condition is rare, often misunderstood, and can take years to diagnose.

Now, doctors at Apollo Hospitals have successfully treated patients using an advanced minimally invasive procedure known as Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM), offering new hope to those struggling with this challenging oesophageal disorder.

Beyond the medical success, the development highlights how modern gastroenterology is transforming the way complex digestive conditions are treated.

What Is Achalasia Cardia?

Achalasia Cardia is a rare disorder that affects the oesophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Normally, a ring of muscle called the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES) relaxes to allow food and liquids to pass into the stomach.

In patients with Achalasia Cardia, this muscle fails to relax properly.

As a result, food remains trapped in the oesophagus, making swallowing increasingly difficult over time.

Patients often experience:

Difficulty swallowing solid food and liquids
Food getting stuck in the chest
Frequent regurgitation
Chest discomfort
Unexplained weight loss
Night-time coughing or choking episodes

Because these symptoms may resemble acid reflux or other digestive disorders, diagnosis is sometimes delayed.

ALSO READ : Hyderabad’s Golden Moment: Narayana Student Wins Gold At International Physics Olympiad 2026, Inspiring A New Generation

Understanding The POEM Procedure

One reason the POEM procedure has gained worldwide attention is that it avoids many of the challenges associated with traditional surgery.

Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is performed using an endoscope inserted through the patient’s mouth.

Rather than making large external incisions, doctors create a small tunnel within the oesophageal wall and carefully divide the abnormal muscle fibres responsible for the blockage.

The procedure aims to restore the normal passage of food into the stomach while reducing pain, recovery time and hospital stay.

For many patients, swallowing becomes significantly easier after successful treatment.

Why This Medical Achievement Matters

Medical technology often advances quietly.

Unlike breakthrough drugs or robotic surgeries that attract headlines, minimally invasive endoscopic procedures continue improving the quality of life for thousands of patients without widespread public attention.

The successful use of POEM demonstrates how specialised gastroenterology teams are increasingly treating complex digestive disorders with greater precision and reduced recovery periods.

For patients who have struggled with years of swallowing difficulties, this represents more than a technical success.

It can restore one of the most basic human activities—eating comfortably.

SparkChronicle Health Analysis: Early Diagnosis Can Change Everything

One challenge with Achalasia Cardia is that many people ignore the early warning signs.

Difficulty swallowing is sometimes mistaken for stress, ageing or common acidity.

Over time, however, symptoms often worsen.

Seeking medical evaluation early allows specialists to identify the condition before complications develop.

Modern diagnostic tools and advanced procedures like POEM have significantly improved treatment outcomes when patients receive timely care.

Who May Benefit From POEM?

Doctors generally evaluate each patient individually before recommending treatment.

POEM may be considered for patients diagnosed with Achalasia Cardia after appropriate clinical assessment and specialised investigations.

The decision depends on several factors, including:

The type and severity of the disease
Overall health condition
Previous treatments, if any
Findings from endoscopy and oesophageal function tests

Patients should always consult qualified gastroenterologists to determine the most suitable treatment plan.

What Patients Should Remember

While medical advancements continue to improve outcomes, no treatment is appropriate for everyone.

Anyone experiencing persistent difficulty swallowing, unexplained weight loss or repeated episodes of food sticking in the chest should seek professional medical evaluation rather than relying on self-medication.

Early diagnosis remains one of the most important factors in successful treatment.

Our Perspective

At SparkChronicle, we believe healthcare stories deserve attention not because they showcase technology alone, but because they highlight improvements in patients’ lives.

Procedures such as POEM remind us that innovation in medicine is often measured by restored normalcy—the ability to eat, drink and live without constant discomfort.

Medical progress is most meaningful when it quietly gives people back their everyday lives.

Final Word

Apollo Hospitals’ successful use of the POEM procedure represents another step forward in the treatment of complex digestive disorders.

For patients living with Achalasia Cardia, it offers renewed hope that a condition once associated with prolonged discomfort can now be managed with advanced, minimally invasive care.

As awareness grows, more patients may receive timely diagnosis and benefit from treatments that were far less accessible just a few years ago.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Achalasia Cardia?

Achalasia Cardia is a rare oesophageal disorder in which the lower oesophageal sphincter fails to relax properly, making swallowing difficult.

What is the POEM procedure?

POEM (Per Oral Endoscopic Myotomy) is a minimally invasive endoscopic procedure that treats Achalasia Cardia by cutting the abnormal muscle fibres preventing food from reaching the stomach.

Is POEM safer than traditional surgery?

POEM is considered a minimally invasive treatment option and has shown excellent outcomes in appropriately selected patients. However, the best treatment depends on an individual’s medical condition and should be decided by a specialist.

What symptoms should not be ignored?

Persistent difficulty swallowing, food getting stuck, repeated regurgitation, chest discomfort and unexplained weight loss should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.