Esophageal Varices Symptoms and Treatment

Esophageal varices happen when the esophagus undergoes a dilation of the sub-mucosal vein. Hypertension or high blood pressure is often cited as one of the most common causes of this disorder. Most of the time individuals with this illness tend to experience heavy bleeding.

The goal in the treatment of this disorder is to prevent these bleedings to happen in the future. The main areas that are affected by such are mostly the duodenum and the gastric ulcer. Doctors and other medical research have already certified that the bleeding of the lower esophagus can be life-threatening, thus people suffering from it must secure the help of an experienced physician as soon as possible. The good news is that this is not considered benign during its early stages. It is as curable as other internal conditions out there.

To begin the treatment of esophageal varices, doctors may opt to pinpoint the cause of the disorder. Oftentimes focusing on the patient’s blood pressure may reduce any risk of bleeding in the future. The patient might be ordered to undergo medication that slows the flow of the blood through the veins by taking drugs such as nadolol or propranolol.

In other cases, a scope can be used to gain access to the bleeding part of the esophagus. If the varices are said to have a high chance of severe bleeding, a doctor can use an endoscope by inserting it inside the body and tying off the affected veins using an elastic band. During this process, the endoscope snares the varices and strangles the veins in order to prevent further bleeding. This ligation method, on the other hand, often carries with it a few complications such as the permanent scarring of the internal parts of the esophagus.

A medical process called the endoscopic injection therapy involves the vaccinating of a solution right inside the wounds of the vein. The result is the shrinking of the esophageal varices. The only downside to this treatment is that the esophagus is placed under the risk of perforation and further scarring, giving the patient a difficult time swallowing hard food, a disorder known as dysphagia.

Another common treatment method is the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt or TIPS, which is a small tube placed in the middle of the portal and the hepatic vein, which is responsible for the transportation of the blood from the liver into the heart. The shunt provides an extra path for the flow of the blood, thereby controlling the bleeding of the esophagus. Although liver malfunction and mental confusion can occur during the operation of the patient, TIPS is still widely used if on the occasion other possible methods have failed in the past. It is a temporary treatment process wherein the patient’s physical efforts are highly needed.

Of course, the patient can opt to cure esophageal varices by replacing his or her liver with a healthier one. It is an option for those who have harsher cases or those who are undergoing nonstop bleeding almost every day.