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A Case Report of Suspected Achalasia Re-evaluated as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Korean Medical Treatment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: This report presents clinical improvement measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and the diagnostic reevaluation from suspected achalasia to gastroesophageal reflux disease in a patient treated with integrative Korean medicine.Methods: A 73-year-old female patient, initially suspected of achalasia with erosive gastritis, was treated with a series of herbal medicines, including Ondam-tang-gami (溫膽湯加味), Saengganggyulpi-tang (生薑橘皮湯), Bokryeongbanga-tang (茯苓半夏湯), Jisiljigaksaenggang-tang (枳實枳殼生薑湯), Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯), and Maekmundong-tang (麥門冬湯), in combination with acupuncture at Back-shu points (背輸穴). Symptom severity was quantitatively assessed using the VAS.Results: Within two weeks of integrative treatment, VAS assessments showed marked improvement across major symptoms. The patient's primary symptoms-postprandial nausea and epigastric discomfort-improved significantly, with VAS scores decreasing from 6 and 8 to 2 and 4, respectively.Conclusion: This case highlights the potential utility of integrative Korean medicine as a therapeutic option for patients with structural and motility-related gastroesophageal disorders.

Source: The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine

DOI: 10.22246/jikm.2025.46.4.1005

Authors: Kyu-Ri Kim, Young-Min Cho, Nahyun Cho, Yeon-Weol Lee, Hwa-Seung Yoo

Institutions: Daejeon University, Wonkwang University

Language: English

Topic: Gastroesophageal reflux and treatments

Subfield: Gastroenterology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Daejeon University