Medical science has only been making progress, and of the latest, a miraculous breakthrough by Dr. Megraj Ingle, Director and Senior Consultant of Gastroenterology, has relieved huge distress from a 61-year-old man suffering with a rare swallowing disorder named Achalasia. Two years of severe difficulty while swallowing was Mr. Suhas R. Mungaker’s life, but a recent innovative treatment approach not only lightened his condition but bettered his health.
About two years ago, Mr. Mungaker, a Mumbai resident, began experiencing hiccups while eating, which he ignored initially. He then felt that food was getting stuck in his throat, so he would drink water and then try to eat again. Eventually, the latter issues seemed to get better but were followed by heartburn, especially during summer. The antacids and other medications provided were a temporary relief, though the pain continued. His wife worried and consulted a family physician who advised him to refer Mr. Mungaker to Dr. Ingle for further evaluation.
Subsequent to consulting Dr. Ingle, Mr. Mungaker was found to have a rare medical condition called Achalasia where the oesophagus does not push food and liquids inside the stomach due to unrelaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter. Dr. Ingle explained, “On arrival, the patient was having difficulty eating food, weight loss, and chest pain. The endoscopy revealed blockages in his oesophagus and a narrowing near the stomach. Every time he ate, the food would lodge in his throat, and even drinking water wouldn’t help, often leading to vomiting. The endoscopy showed a bird’s beak structure, typical of Achalasia. It affects only about one in a million, and we see only 10-20 cases per year, which usually don’t require surgery.
Dr. Ingle explained the novel treatment concept, “A barium swallow showed food stasis and the oesophagus wall muscle thickening. The procedure was minimally invasive using an endoscope tunnel through the oesophageal wall and lower oesophageal muscle was cut. The procedure was quick, and the postoperative recovery time was minimal. In fact, by the time this patient was discharged, there was no difficulty in swallowing food.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Mr. Mungaker said, “It was petrifying when, two years ago, I started having hiccups during meals and couldn’t eat properly. I had no idea I was dealing with such a rare disorder. Thanks to Dr. Ingle and his team, I can now eat my favorite food without any issues.
Dr. Bipin Chevale, CEO of Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai, appreciated the facilities available at the hospital and said, “Our advanced equipment and skilled medical team ensure that patients receive the most innovative and effective treatments for complex conditions like this.”
This medical miracle in treating Achalasia manifests the strength of innovation and the capability of a physician like Dr. Ingle, who has been instrumental in providing life-changing treatments to patients.
