Esophageal Varices

Esophageal Varices – General Information

A severe form of a liver medical condition (like cirrhosis) can trigger various other medical complications. Unfortunately, the disorder known as Esophageal Varices is one of them. Patients who present this type of medical condition have unusually enlarged veins that are generally found in the lower part of the patient’s esophagus (an organ of the patient’s organism that is supposed to ensure the link between the stomach and the throat). A patient will develop Esophageal Varices when the liver does not receive enough blood (because the natural blood-flow is, for some cause, blocked). This makes the patient’s blood withdraw into smaller blood vessels in the organism. However, the smaller the blood vessels are, the more fragile they become. This is why, in case of an abnormal blood-flow (in case the patient’s liver does not receive a normal irrigation) blood vessels from the patient’s esophagus (in some other cases rectum or stomach) become swollen. The mere presence of varices along the patient’s esophagus does not trigger any abnormal symptoms. The signs appear once the blood vessels rupture and start bleeding. This complication is a very severe one, as it can easily trigger life-threatening symptoms. If the patient who experiences esophageal bleeding does not receive proper medical care at once, his or her survival rates are quite low.

Once Esophageal Varices develop, they will grow larger each day. Even if this medical condition mainly affects patients who suffer from portal hypertension, liver disease or other similar medical disorders, it is not possible in all the clinical cases to prevent the appearance of this medical condition. However, all patients must be aware of the fact that treating the latent condition (iron overload, alcohol abuse, and so on) is vital for the patient’s health.

Esophageal Varices – Symptoms

A patient who develops any symptoms and / or signs of liver disorder (which can easily trigger complications such as Esophageal Varices) should seek immediate medical help. The most common symptoms of liver medical conditions include: weight loss; weakness; easy bleeding and / or bruising; fatigue; small red veins under the individual’s skin; jaundice; dark- colored urine; itching; edema (swelling of the individual’s feet, legs, and other limbs); trouble concentrating, forgetfulness and other symptoms of mental confusion (encephalopathy); liver failure; severe cirrhosis; acid reflux, and so on. About 33% of all patients who suffer from Esophageal Varices also experience bleeding (that is caused by the rupture of the small veins that are located along the patient’s esophagus). This particular complication of this disorder triggers its own symptoms and / or signs. The most popular are: vomiting blood; decreased urination (physicians have linked this symptom to abnormally low blood pressure); lightheadedness; excessive thirst; shock; tarry, black or bloody stools; and so on.

It has been determined that some medical conditions increase the chances of an individual who already has this medical condition to experience bleeding varices. For example, it is thought that patients who present abnormally high portal vein pressure are more prone to developing bleeding. Their risk of this particular complication is higher as the pressure in the vein increases. If a patient presents red marks on his or her varices, he will probably develop bleeding. This is why, when an individual is diagnosed with this medical condition, a physician ought to view the varices through an endoscope (a medical fiber-optic, lighted medical instrument) and look for red spots or long, red streaks along the patient’s esophagus. Furthermore, patients who present large varices are known to have an increased risk of developing the severe complications of this condition.

Esophageal Varices – Treatment

The main goal in the therapy of patients who present Esophageal Varices is the prevention of the worsening of the disorder (the prevention of bleeding). In order to achieve this purpose, most health care providers (from all around the world) prescribe patients a therapy with beta blockers (high-pressure medical products) that are able to effectively reduce the pressure in the individual’s portal vein). However, some patients who present Esophageal Varices do not respond well to this medicine (either they start to experience the severe side effects of the drug, either it seems that their condition is not responding to the therapy) will be prescribed other types of medicines. In some clinical cases, the Esophageal Varices are injected with a special solution that makes them dissolve (an effective clotting solution is generally employed for this procedure). However, an individual who undergoes this type of medical procedure is generally more prone to developing other complications. For example, dysphagia (trouble swallowing) and perforation of the patient’s esophagus are quite common. Other therapy methods imply the tying of the varices with special elastic bands, thus denying them the opportunity to bleed. However, these two procedures might also be employed in the case of patients who experience acute bleeding (in order to stop the loss of blood). This medical procedure is the main therapy option for most individuals, as it is known to trigger fewer and far less severe complications than other therapy methods.

As we have previously stated in this information article, the complications that might affect patients who suffer from Esophageal Varices (in most cases, the bleeding of the varices) trigger severe, dangerous and potentially life-threatening symptoms. In such clinical cases, a rapid and appropriate therapy is vital for the individual’s surviving chances. In order to stop the bleeding of the varices, several medical procedures are employed. When other treatment options are not a viable option for a patient who presents Esophageal Varices, he or she will have to undergo a medication therapy that is supposed to keep the bleeding under strict control. As no therapy option for Esophageal Varices is entirely successful, as no treatment can ensure the patient that he or she will no longer experience bleeding episodes and because most of the therapy options that we have listed in this chapter present several risks, another therapy option is becoming more and more popular each day: liver transplant. Although the operation is generally successful, the number of individuals from all over the world who wait to undergo this medical procedure outnumbers the number of organs. Ask your personal physician for further information.