Oesophageal varices are unusually widened veins around the oesophagus. The oesophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. These veins may sometimes bleed. Oesophageal varices usually form because of a serious liver disease called cirrhosis. Cirrhosis of the liver can interfere with blood circulation. This leads to increased pressure in the veins around the oesophagus. Over time, these veins widen due to the pressure. When the walls of the veins get stretched too much, the veins can break and allow blood to enter the oesophagus.
Symptoms
Symptoms often happen quite suddenly and include:
- coughing up or vomiting up blood
- black, tarry stools due to the bleeding in the gut
- light-headedness from loss of blood
- passing out from loss of blood
Diagnosis
When an episode of bleeding occurs in the gut, a procedure called endoscopy is often done. A small tube, called an endoscope, is placed through the mouth and into the oesophagus and stomach. The tube has a light and a camera on the end of it. This allows the doctor to see the inside of the gut to find the cause of bleeding.
Long term effects
A person with oesophageal varices often has serious medical problems due to liver disease. The outcome is generally poor unless a liver transplant is performed. Even after treatment, rebleeding from oesophageal varices is common and may lead to death.
Treatment
A person with bleeding oesophageal varices can lose a lot of blood. Blood transfusions may be required. Other fluids may need to be replaced through an intravenous line.
endoscopy is done to make sure that varices are the cause of the bleeding. When they are seen, varices can often be treated right away through the endoscope. Tiny instruments can be passed through the tube and used to stop the bleeding.
Sometimes medications are given to cause the varices to shrink. In severe cases, surgery or other procedures may be required to stop the bleeding or to relieve pressure on the swollen varices. Liver transplantation is generally the only way to cure oesophageal varices.
Side Effects?
Endoscopy and surgery can cause more bleeding, infection, and sometimes even death. Medications used for variceal bleeding may cause salt imbalances, allergic reactions, low blood pressure, or other side effects. Blood transfusions may cause allergic reactions or infections.
What happens after treatment?
If the bleeding stops for more than 1 or 2 days and the person recovers, he or she can usually go home from the hospital.
Source:
www.allhealth.com.au
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