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Esophageal Varices: The Hidden Danger in Liver Disease
Published: Oct 18, 2023
Esophageal varices are swollen veins in the food pipe that can be life-threatening if they burst. They're a serious complication of liver disease that many people don't know about.
What Causes These Dangerous Veins?
Esophageal varices develop when blood flow through the liver is blocked, often due to scarring from cirrhosis. This forces blood to find other routes, causing veins in the esophagus to swell like overfilled water balloons. As pressure builds, these fragile veins can rupture, leading to severe bleeding.
Who's at Risk?
People with cirrhosis or other forms of advanced liver disease are most at risk for developing esophageal varices. The risk increases as liver damage progresses. Other factors that raise the risk include alcohol abuse, chronic viral hepatitis, and certain inherited liver disorders.
How Are They Detected?
Doctors use an endoscopy - a thin, flexible tube with a camera - to look inside the esophagus and check for varices. This is typically done when someone is diagnosed with cirrhosis. Blood tests and imaging studies can also help assess the risk of varices forming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treating underlying liver disease can help prevent their formation.
Vomiting blood or passing black, tarry stools are red flags.
While not curable, they can be managed with medication and procedures.
The Bottom Line
Esophageal varices are a serious but manageable complication of liver disease that requires close medical monitoring.
References
- North Italian Endoscopic Club for the Study and Treatment of Esophageal Varices. N Engl J Med 1988; 319:983.
- Garcia-Tsao G, Bosch J. Management of varices and variceal hemorrhage in cirrhosis. N Engl J Med 2010; 362:823.
- Tripathi D, Stanley AJ, Hayes PC, et al. U.K. guidelines on the management of variceal haemorrhage in cirrhotic patients. Gut 2015; 64:1680.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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