Esophageal obstruction: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Obstruction of the esophagus is a serious enough pathology, which can be considered dangerous for life. To avoid serious consequences it is possible only in the event that in due time to address to the doctor. Depending on the severity of the disease, a method of treatment is determined. Next, we will consider how the esophageal obstruction manifests itself, which is the cause of the development of pathology and whether it is possible to get rid of it.

How the disease develops

Before considering the symptoms and treatment it is necessary to understand what is the obstruction of the esophagus. With the development of such a pathological condition, the patency of the food lump through the esophagus is violated. Obstruction can develop as an independent disease or as an exacerbation of other pathologies.

If there was a trauma to the walls of the esophagus, then during the healing a connective tissue is formed, which can provoke obstruction. Next, consider the causes of the pathology in more detail.

Stages of the disease development

This pathology in its development passes several stages:

1. The patient begins to feel some discomfort when swallowing, there are pronounced unpleasant sensations behind the sternum.
2. In the next stage, large chunks of food pass with difficulty, it becomes easier if you drink liquid while eating.
3. It becomes difficult to take even rubbed food.
4. Pain in the esophagus occurs even with the use of any liquid.
5. Obstruction of the esophagus at the next stage is a critical stage, when the passage of the esophagus is completely blocked. It becomes impossible to swallow even water.

It must be borne in mind that the earlier the pathology is detected, the more effective the therapy will be.

Forms and degrees of disease

There are two forms of pathology:

1. Esophagus departments may narrow as a result of benign lesions, for example, chemical burns, the use of various caustic liquids, the presence of ulcers in the deep layers.
2. Obstruction of malignant origin develops against the background of esophageal cancer.

The disease also has degrees:

1. The first degree is a narrowing of 9-11 mm.
2. The second is the diameter of the constriction of 6-8 mm.
3. The next degree is 3-5 mm.
4. 4th degree 1-2 mm.

Causes of pathology development

There are a large number of factors and diseases that can provoke the development of an obstruction of the esophagus. Most often note the following:

• Stenosis can be triggered by the intake of chemical liquids or too hot drinks, for this reason you can not drink a very hot drink.
• Malignant and benign neoplasms in the esophagus.
• Mechanical injury to the esophagus, which is possible as a result of ingress of foreign objects, injuries.
• Irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus with the contents of the stomach and gallbladder.
• Obstruction can develop as a result of infectious, inflammatory diseases.
• Pathology of connective tissue.
• Esophagus departments can also be damaged as a result of thyroid pathologies, for example, nodular goiter develops.
• There is even an inborn obstruction, which develops in the child even during intrauterine development.

How to recognize obstruction

The anatomy of the esophagus is such that the pathology can develop very quickly, so it is important to detect it as soon as possible. The symptomatology can be as follows:

• The main sign of pathology is dysphagia, when there is a painful and difficult swallowing. The degree can be different, from slight discomfort to difficulties with swallowing of water.
• There is pain when swallowing behind the sternum. You can confuse such symptoms with heart pain.
• There is vomiting eaten food with impurities of blood.
• Frequent burp with the smell of rotten eggs.
• Because of stenosis, the amount of food eaten is reduced, so the patient loses weight.

It is not necessary to ignore even the slightest signs of an obstruction of the esophagus in adults and children. The sooner therapy is started, the better.

Diagnosis of the disease

Establishing an accurate diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment. Anatomy of the esophagus is such that it is practically impossible to visually determine the presence of pathology, therefore the following methods are used for diagnosis:

• Eophagastroduodenoscopy is a technique that allows to assess the state of the esophagus, the structure of its epithelium. If necessary, a biopsy is taken during the study.
• Ultrasound can detect any pathology of the organ.
• X-ray examination.
• Computer and magnetic tomography helps to differentiate the disease, confirm the diagnosis and discover the attendant problems.

Since obstruction leads to a change in clinical parameters, the patient is referred to the following tests:

• Determination of hemoglobin and protein content in the blood.
• Examination of feces for the presence of hidden blood.
• General analysis of blood and urine.

After receiving all the results of the study and finding out the cause, treatment of the esophagus is prescribed.

Disease therapy

The tactics of treatment will completely depend on the severity of the pathology and the cause of its occurrence. For example, if a foreign body enters the esophagus, it is removed with the help of an esophagoscope with enlarged lumen. If there is an oncology, then one way of treatment is not enough.

If we consider complex therapy of pathology, then treatment of the esophagus includes:

• Medicamentous therapy.
• Surgery.
• Use of traditional methods of therapy.
• Dietotherapy.

The best result can be obtained only with complex treatment.

We treat obstruction by drugs and by surgical means

After the cause of the pathology is established and the severity of the disease is identified, the tactics of treatment are chosen. It begins with the prescription of medications from the following groups:

• Antacids.
• Prokinetics.
• Preparations with astringent properties.
• Assign stimulators recovery and acceleration of regeneration.
• Proton inhibitors.

If drug therapy does not help and the obstruction of the esophagus does not weaken its symptoms, then surgical treatment is indicated. Usually this method is necessary for esophageal cancer. Currently, several effective methods are used:

1. Operative intervention with complete removal of the esophagus and replacement with other tissues.
2. Carrying out chemotherapy with the use of anti-cancer drugs.
3. Radiation therapy in combination with chemotherapy helps to reduce the size of the tumor so that it can be removed.

If as a result of the study a benign tumor is detected, it is removed, expanding the esophagus with special tools.

Esophageal obstruction: treatment with folk remedies

People's prescriptions can come to the aid of drug treatment. Infusions and decoctions of herbs help to ease the patient's condition and reduce the symptoms of pathology.

Before using folk recipes, you should always consult with your doctor, because you can only exacerbate the condition. To get rid of obstruction, use the following recipes:

1. Decoction of the bark of oak. Prepare a healing drug can be as follows: take 30 grams of oak bark and cottonwood, 40 grams of leaves of walnut and St. John's wort and 20 grams of oregano leaves. All combine, grind the mixture and take 30 grams, pour 700 ml of water at room temperature. Infuse for 3 hours, and then boil for 5 minutes. After filtering the drug mixture take half an hour before meals for 100 ml.
2. Composition based on wormwood. It is necessary to prepare 50 grams of wormwood, 75 arnica and 100 grams of root of the femora. Add 45 grams of the mixture to the thermos bottle and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Infuse 10 hours, and then take 100 ml 4 times a day for 30 minutes before meals.
3. Mix raisins, honey, olive oil and herb hay and take 1 tablespoon before bedtime, washing down with water.
4. Prepare the tincture of young walnuts for alcohol and take a teaspoon after eating.
5. The alder cortex helps fight the obstruction of the esophagus. Crushed raw materials should be poured with boiling water and insist for 3 hours, and then taken 4 times a day after meals.

The most important thing in treatment is not to neglect the doctor's recommendations, not to engage in self-medication.

Changing the diet

Nutrition for obstruction of the esophagus depends on the severity of stenosis and the causes of pathology. Nutritionists recommend several dietary tables:

1. No. 1. Full nutrition, but all meals should be mashed and cooked steamed or boiled. It is not recommended to use too cold or hot dishes. During the day, you need to eat often, but in small portions.
2. Table number 2 implies the use of only liquid and semi-liquid dishes. Between meals, the interval is no more than 2.5 hours. The use of salt should be limited, exclude bread, sausages and smoked products, buns and pies, sour fruit. Instead of strong tea and coffee it is better to drink fruit drinks, compotes or herbal medicinal herbs.
3. Table number 3 allows low-calorie meals with the exception of all products irritating the mucosa. All dishes should be ground and semi-liquid.

It must be remembered that the correction of nutrition should supplement the basic course of therapy.

Prevention of pathology

In order to prevent an illness, you need:

• Take measures to prevent the development of tumors in the esophagus.
• Store all chemical liquids and caustic only in containers with signatures, so as not to accidentally confuse them and in a place where the child can not reach.
• If there is gastroesophageal reflux, you must follow a strict diet: do not overeat, do not use irritating foods.
• Do not eat before bed: last meal not later than 3 hours before going to bed.
• After eating, do not take upright position immediately.
• Watch your weight.
• Do not wear too narrow clothing, tight belts.
• Do not overload physically.

To prevent the development of the disease is much easier than then to engage in long-term treatment. When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, it is better to visit a specialist immediately, rather than self-medicate.