Varicose veins of the esophagus - causes, degrees and symptoms, treatment methods

Esophageal varicose veins - causes, symptoms, treatment

When the pressure in the portal or vena cava increases, the development of pathological changes in the vessels of the esophagus is possible. A diagnosis of "Esophageal Varicose Veins" (or "Esophageal Varicose Veins") is made. This disease is dangerous due to bleeding, it is difficult to treat. The fatal consequence occurs in 80% of cases of repeated bleeding, so it is important to undergo a timely examination and follow all the recommendations of doctors.

Causes of esophageal varices

The disease develops against the background of increased pressure in the portal vein (it is the portal vein), but other pathologies can contribute to its occurrence (hypertensive disease, congenital anomalies). Varicose veins of the esophagus, the causes of which are pathological changes in the portal vein, often begin to progress with previously diagnosed serious diseases of the liver or pancreas - cirrhosis, tumors, insufficiency. The disease often develops against the background of severe diseases of the thyroid gland, in which case it is a pathological violation of the vena cava.

According to statistics, esophageal varices are more often diagnosed in men aged 50 and older.

Esophageal varices: symptoms

Depending on the degree of development, the following signs are distinguished:

1. First degree. The diameter of the veins is increased by no more than 3 mm, the formation of single nodes is possible. The disease can be diagnosed only by the endoscopic method, there are no clinical signs.
2. Second degree. The dangerous period of varicose veins of the esophagus - there are no symptoms (even the mucous membrane of the organ remains unchanged for now), but the contour of the veins is already becoming unclear, X-ray diagnostics reveal thickening of the veins (precursors of nodules). Already at this stage, bleeding is possible, which, in the absence of immediate medical assistance, often leads to death.
3. The third and fourth degrees of esophageal varices are characterized by severe symptoms - the patient often suffers from heartburn, pain in the sternum, shortness of breath is possible, and not only during physical activity, but also at rest. Often, the disease is diagnosed only at these late stages of its development, when the first bleedings appear, blood is released directly from the esophagus or is found in vomiting masses.

Treatment

Treatment of varicose veins of the esophagus begins with finding out the true causes of the disease. If pathology of the liver, thyroid or pancreas is diagnosed, it must be treated - the factor must be eliminated or its influence weakened. Among the medicines, vitamin complexes, antacids and astringents are prescribed. If bleeding is diagnosed, there is always a risk of its re-development. In this case, appoint:

• blood transfusion;
• hemostatic drugs;
• introduction of a special probe that can be used to compress blood vessels.

Esophageal varices, bleeding in which is observed too often, requires an operative method of treatment.

Surgical intervention is also performed in the absence of an effect from therapeutic treatment. In this case, the prognosis for esophageal varices is more favorable - the chance of survival increases by three times. After any treatment, you should follow the dietary recommendations of doctors, undergo regular examinations and avoid excessive physical exertion.

You can learn more about what esophageal varices are, which doctor you should consult, on the pages of our site Dobrobut.com.