8. Sudden Onset of Saliva: The Uncontrollable Drool
Salivating at the sight of delicious food is one thing, but what about inexplicable, excessive salivation that occurs seemingly out of nowhere? It might feel a bit like a comic book plot, but for people with esophageal achalasia, this can be a daily reality.
At first blush, excessive salivation doesn’t seem to fit the narrative of swallowing difficulties. But take a closer look. Your body produces saliva as a first step in the digestive process, helping to lubricate the food for easy passage. In cases of achalasia, as the esophagus fails to conduct the food effectively toward the stomach, the salivary glands go into overdrive as if trying to grease the wheels.
Unlike other symptoms, this one is particularly sneaky because it doesn’t always manifest openly. You might find yourself swallowing more frequently, even when you’re not eating or drinking, or wake up with a wet pillow. The increase in saliva production might be so gradual that it’s easy to miss until it reaches a point that’s impossible to ignore.
Here’s where it gets intriguing: excessive saliva can also be your body’s way of trying to ‘wash away’ food or liquids that may be stuck in your esophagus due to achalasia. Think of it as your body’s natural clean-up crew rushing in to tackle a spill, although in this case, the spill is more of a traffic jam.
The societal impacts of this symptom shouldn’t be underestimated. From awkward social encounters to the difficulty of explaining why you need to swallow or wipe your mouth so frequently, the effects are profoundly unsettling. What starts as a minor physical annoyance can escalate into a considerable emotional burden.
I hope these symptom descriptions provide a deep and nuanced look into the world of esophageal achalasia. Each symptom has its unique set of impacts and idiosyncrasies, making them fascinating and challenging in equal measure. (8)
