Esophageal obstruction: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods

Esophageal obstruction is a serious enough pathology that can be considered life threatening. 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, consider how the obstruction of the esophagus manifests, 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 the connective tissue is formed, which can cause obstruction. Next, consider the causes of the pathology in more detail.

Stages of the development of the disease

This pathology in its development passes several stages:

1. The patient begins to feel some discomfort when swallowing, there are pronounced discomfort behind the sternum.
2. In the next stage, large pieces 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 when using any liquid.
5. Obstruction of the esophagus in the next stage is a critical stage when the passage of the esophagus completely overlaps. It becomes impossible to swallow even water.

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

Forms and degrees of the disease

Two forms of pathology can be distinguished:

1. The 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 deep layers.
2. Obstruction of malignant origin develops against esophageal cancer.

The disease also has degrees:

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

Causes of the development of the pathology of

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

• Stenosis can be triggered by the intake of chemical liquids or too hot drinks, for this reason you can not consume 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 mucosa of the esophagus with gastric and gallbladder contents.
• 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 innate obstruction, which develops in the child even during intrauterine development.

How to recognize the obstruction

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 symptom of pathology is dysphagia, when painful and difficult swallowing takes place. The degree can be different, from slight discomfort to difficulties with swallowing of water.
• Pain occurs when swallowing behind the sternum. You can confuse such symptoms with heart pain.
• Vomiting of eaten food with blood impurities appears.
• Frequent burp with the smell of rotten eggs.
• Because of stenosis, the amount of food eaten is reduced, so the patient loses weight.

Do not 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. The 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 condition 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.
• Radiographic study.
• Computer and magnetic tomography helps to differentiate the disease, confirm the diagnosis and detect associated problems.

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

• Determination of hemoglobin and protein content in the blood.
• Study 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.

Therapy of the disease

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 to consider complex therapy of a pathology treatment of an esophagus includes:

• Medicamentous therapy.
• Surgical treatment.
• Use of traditional methods of therapy.
• Diet therapy.

The best result can be obtained only with complex treatment.

We treat obstruction by drugs and surgical method

After the cause of the pathology is established and the severity of the disease is determined, the tactics of treatment are chosen. Begins with the prescription of medicines 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. Surgery with complete removal of the esophagus and replacement with other tissues.
2. Carrying out chemotherapy using 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 a benign tumor is detected as a result of the study, it is removed, expanding the esophagus with special tools.

Obstruction of the esophagus: treatment with folk remedies

People's prescriptions can come to the aid of medicamentous treatment. Infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants will help to alleviate the patient's condition and reduce the symptoms of pathology.

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

1. Broth of oak bark. 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 leaves of oregano. 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 straining, take the drug mixture half an hour before a meal of 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 for 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. Helps to fight the obstruction of the esophagus of the alder cortex. Crushed raw materials must 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 the stenosis and the causes of the 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 under No. 3 allows low-calorie meals with the exception of all irritating mucosal products. All dishes must be ground and semi-liquid.

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

Prevention of pathology

In order to prevent an illness, it is necessary: ​​

• To take measures to prevent the development of tumor processes in the esophagus.
• Store all chemical liquids and caustic only in containers with signatures, so as not to accidentally mix them up 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 bedtime.
• Do not take upright position immediately after eating.
• Keep track of 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.