Esophageal Varices

What are Esophageal Varices

Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the part of the body that moves food from the mouth to the stomach (esophagus).

They develop when extra blood is forced to flow through these veins because the blood’s normal pathway is blocked. Without treatment, esophageal varices eventually break and bleed (hemorrhage), which can be life-threatening.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by:

  • Scarring of the liver (cirrhosis) due to alcoholism. This is the most common cause.
  • Long-term (chronic) liver disease.
  • Severe heart failure.
  • A blood clot in a vein that supplies the liver (portal vein).
  • A disease that causes inflammation in the organs and other body areas (sarcoidosis).
  • A parasitic infection that can cause liver damage (schistosomiasis).

What are the signs or symptoms?

Esophageal varices usually do not cause symptoms unless they start to bleed. Symptoms of bleeding esophageal varices include:

  • Vomiting material that is bright red or that is black and looks like coffee grounds.
  • Coughing up blood.
  • Stools (feces) that look black and tarry.
  • Dizziness or light-headedness.
  • Low blood pressure.
  • Loss of consciousness.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a procedure called endoscopy. During endoscopy, your health care provider uses a flexible tube with a small camera on the end of it (endoscope) to look down your throat and examine your esophagus.

You may also have other tests, including:

  • Imaging tests such as a CT scan or ultrasound.
  • Blood tests.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated with medicines or procedures that reduce pressure in the varices and reduce the risk of bleeding. Medicines are usually used for varices that are not bleeding. Procedures that may be done for bleeding varices include:

  • Placing an elastic band around the varices to keep them from bleeding (variceal ligation).
  • Replacing blood that you have lost due to bleeding. This may include getting a transfusion of blood or parts of blood, such as platelets or clotting factors.
  • You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
  • Getting an injection that causes the varices to shrink and close (sclerotherapy). You may also be given medicines that tighten (constrict) blood vessels or change blood flow.
  • Placing a tube into your esophagus and then passing a balloon through the tube and inflating the balloon (balloon tamponade). The balloon applies pressure to the bleeding veins to help stop the bleeding.
  • Placing a small tube within the veins in the liver (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, TIPS). This decreases blood flow and pressure in the esophageal varices.

If other treatments do not work, you may need a liver transplant.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider.Do notstop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
  • Do nottake any NSAIDs (such as aspirin or ibuprofen) before first getting approval from your health care provider.
  • Do notdrink alcohol.
  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have abdominal pain.
  • You are unable to eat or drink.

Get help right away if:

  • You have blood in your stool or vomit.
  • You have stools that look black or tarry.
  • You have chest pain.
  • You feel dizzy or have low blood pressure.
  • You lose consciousness.

These symptoms may represent a serious problem that is an emergency. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away. Get medical help right away. Call your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.). Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

Summary

  • Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus, the part of your body that moves food from your mouth to your stomach.
  • Without treatment, esophageal varices eventually break and bleed (hemorrhage), which can be life-threatening.
  • Esophageal varices usually do not cause symptoms unless they start to bleed.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856