YouTuber Alfie Deyes has revealed he has been diagnosed with a rare swallowing disorder called oesophageal achalasia, after years of believing he had acid reflux. The 32-year-old, known for his online presence alongside partner Zoe Sugg, shared the health update in a new video on his channel.
Deyes explained that for over a decade he experienced digestive discomfort and had cut out foods like bread, bananas, and coffee to manage symptoms he thought were caused by acid reflux. However, tests including an endoscopy, CT scans, and a barium swallow test confirmed the condition, which affects fewer than 12 in 100,000 people.
According to the NHS, oesophageal achalasia occurs when the muscles of the food pipe fail to contract properly, making it difficult for food to pass into the stomach. Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, chest infections, choking, and regurgitation of undigested food. Acid reflux is also common among patients.
Deyes described how his condition worsened over three years, leaving him unable to finish meals. He said food would sit in his oesophagus and slowly drip into his stomach throughout the day. He underwent a balloon dilation procedure to loosen the muscle, which took around four to six minutes, though he noted that success rates vary.
