A WOMAN says a medical breakthrough means she can eat again and has "got her life back".
Until recently, Geraldine Loveday, a 68-year-old Braintree resident diagnosed with achalasia, faced a daily struggle due to her inability to swallow food.
Having lived solely on a liquid diet, Ms Loveday's constant chest pain and being unable to eat normally brought on feelings of depression and ruined her social and professional life.
But her life has been turned around thanks to Dr Rafal Radzioch, a consultant physician and interventional gastrointestinal endoscopist at Broomfield Hospital, and his medical team.
Ms Loveday underwent surgery known as peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM).
The treatment uses a thin, flexible tube which is passed through the patient's mouth into the oesophagus.
The doctor can surgically relax the surrounding muscles, easing the passage of food to the stomach.
The innovative technique not only has low risk of complications, it leaves no scars and means patients can return home the following day.
Ms Loveday has made a complete recovery and is now enjoying meals and is also back to work.
She said: "What Dr Radzioch and the team at Broomfield Hospital have done for me with this surgery has been life-changing for me and my family as well.
"It's given me the freedom to enjoy my favourite food and I'm now back at work which is such a good feeling.
"Before, I couldn’t even eat bread or other solid food.
"It has made such a difference and I feel like I’ve got my life back."
Dr Radzioch said: "As Geraldine has shown, POEM improves the quality of life for patients with achalasia.
"As the only centre between London and Nottingham offering this treatment, our goal is to help up to 30 people a year.
"The surgery offers real hope for patients and this innovative technique allows us to provide our patients with less invasive treatment options than surgery for complex swallowing conditions.
"Just seeing the positive effect it has on patients’ health and overall wellbeing is truly rewarding and inspiring."
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