What is Esophageal Stricture
Esophageal stricture is a narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus. The esophagus is the part of the body that moves food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach.
The esophagus can become narrow because of disease or damage to the area. This condition can make swallowing difficult, painful, or even impossible. It also makes choking more likely.
What are the causes?
The most common cause of this condition is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Normally, food travels down the esophagus and stays in the stomach to be digested. In GERD, food and stomach acid move back up into the esophagus. Over time, this causes scar tissue and leads to narrowing.
Other causes of esophageal stricture include:
- Scarring from swallowing (ingesting) a harmful substance.
- Damage from medical instruments used in the esophagus.
- Radiation therapy.
- Cancer.
- Inflammation of the esophagus.
What increases the risk?
You are more likely to develop an esophageal stricture if you have GERD or esophageal cancer.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
- Difficulty swallowing.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Burning pain or discomfort in the throat or chest (heartburn).
- Vomiting or spitting up (regurgitating) food or liquids.
- Unexplained weight loss.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on:
- Your symptoms and a physical exam.
- Tests,
such as:
- Upper endoscopy. Your health care provider will insert a flexible tube with a tiny camera on it (endoscope) into your esophagus to check for a stricture. A tissue sample (biopsy) may also be taken to be examined under a microscope.
- Esophageal pH monitoring. This test involves using a tube to collect acid in the esophagus to determine how much stomach acid is entering the esophagus.
- Barium swallow test. For this test, you will drink a chalky liquid (barium solution) that coats the lining of the esophagus. Then you will have an X-ray taken. The barium solution helps to show if there is a stricture.
How is this treated?
Treatment for esophageal stricture depends on what is causing your condition and how severe your condition is. Treatment options include:
- Esophageal dilation. In this procedure, a health care provider inserts an endoscope or a tool called a dilator into the esophagus to gently stretch it and make the opening wider.
- Stents. In some cases, a health care provider may place a small device (stent) in the esophagus to keep it open.
- Acid-blocking medicines. Taking these can help you manage GERD symptoms after an esophageal stricture. Controlling your GERD symptoms or being free of them can prevent the stricture from returning.
Follow these instructions at home:
Eating and drinking
- Follow instructions from your health care provider about any diet changes.
- Cut your food into small pieces, chew well, and eat slowly
- Try to eat soft food that is easier to swallow.
- Eat and drink only when you are sitting upright.
- Do notdrink alcohol. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Do noteat during the 3 hours before bedtime.
- Do notovereat at meals.
Do noteat foods that can make reflux worse. These include:
- Fatty foods, such as red meat and processed foods.
- Spicy foods.
- Soda.
- Tomato products.
- Chocolate.
General instructions
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Do notuse any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- When lying in bed, raise (elevate) your head with pillows. This will help to prevent your stomach contents from backing up into your esophagus while you sleep.
- Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You have problems eating or swallowing.
- You regurgitate food and liquid.
- Your symptoms do not improve with treatment.
Get help right away if:
- You can no longer keep down any food, drinks, or your saliva.
Summary
- Esophageal stricture is a narrowing of the part of the body that moves food and liquid from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus).
- The esophagus can become narrow because of disease or damage to the area. This can make swallowing difficult, painful, or even impossible.
- Treatment for esophageal stricture depends on what is causing your condition and how severe your condition is. In some cases, procedures may be done to make the opening of the esophagus wider or to place a stent in the esophagus to keep it open.
- Do notdrink alcohol, overeat at meals, or eat foods that can make reflux worse.
