{"id":15980,"date":"2020-08-20T20:43:02","date_gmt":"2020-08-20T19:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/opa.org.uk\/?p=15980"},"modified":"2021-01-21T20:45:56","modified_gmt":"2021-01-21T20:45:56","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-oesophageal-varices","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/opa-old.voidappsdev.uk\/?p=15980","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about Oesophageal varices"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>Varices are large or swollen blood vessels, which can be located around the oesophagus. The most common cause of esophageal varices is scarring of the liver.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Varices may be small or large, and the bigger they are, the more serious they become.<\/p>\n<p>The vessels can rupture, in which case treatment focuses on preventing bleeding by closing the vessels. Doctors may also recommend medication to reduce blood pressure.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we describe the types and causes of oesophageal varices, as well as the treatment options available.<\/p>\n<div>\n<aside>\n<h3 id=\"inline0__slot\" data-ad=\"true\" data-google-query-id=\"CIPn8ouf4OkCFQ9IGwodmdQLww\">Definition<\/h3>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Oe<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448078\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">sophageal varices\u00a0<\/a>are large, swollen blood vessels, such as veins, around the Oesophagus.<br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/><br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/>The most common cause is\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/portal-hypertension#definition\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">portal hypertension<\/a>, which most commonly results from\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/172295\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">liver cirrhosis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">The veins in the Oesophagus connect to the liver. These veins can become swollen when there is an obstruction in the flow of blood to the liver. This obstruction causes blood to collect in connecting vessels, including those in the Oesophagus.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">As the esophageal veins are small and have thin walls, they cannot contain large amounts of blood. Therefore, the increase in blood flow can cause the veins to swell and rupture.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">A rupture can be dangerous and even fatal. Anyone who suspects that they have a bleeding esophageal varice should receive immediate medical attention.<\/p>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<h3 id=\"swoopAd\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Causes<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Cirrhosis is severe scarring of the liver caused by a disease, such as hepatitis C. It is the most common underlying cause of esophageal varices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Among people with cirrhosis,\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448078\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">30%<\/a>\u00a0have varices when the liver issue is diagnosed. Within the first year after diagnosis,\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448078\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">5%<\/a>\u00a0of small varices and\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK448078\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">15%<\/a>\u00a0of large varices bleed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Portal hypertension is a complication of cirrhosis. It happens when scar tissue blocks the flow of blood around the liver. This leads to high blood pressure in the portal vein, which carries blood from other organs to the liver.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">If blood flow around the liver is restricted, the body sends blood via veins in the stomach or Oesophagus instead. With more blood flowing through them, these veins can swell, becoming varices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Rarer causes of Oesophageal varices can include\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC4669515\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Budd-Chiari syndrome<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/173081\">schistosomiasis<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Budd-Chiari syndrome causes veins in the liver to become partially blocked. Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms. These can get into the blood vessels, which may cause them to\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medigraphic.com\/pdfs\/hepato\/ah-2016\/ah165k.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">become varices<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">Symptoms<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">A person with esophageal varices may not have symptoms, particularly if the varices are small. Some people only experience symptoms if the varices bleed.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Symptoms of esophageal varices may\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.niddk.nih.gov\/health-information\/digestive-diseases\/gastrointestinal-bleeding\/symptoms-causes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">include<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; line-height: 1.6em;\">\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">unusually pale skin<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">ongoing tiredness<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">shortness of breath<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">faintness or dizziness<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">black or tarry stools<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">dark or bright red blood in stool<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">bright red blood in vomit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">If a person experiences these symptoms, they should receive care in a hospital immediately.<\/p>\n<h3 id=\"hl-incontent-video-ad\" style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\"><span style=\"background-color: transparent;\">Risk factors<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Any liver disease can increase a person\u2019s risk of developing esophageal varices, but cirrhosis is the most common cause. A person with liver disease but no cirrhosis has a lower risk of varices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Cirrhosis and portal hypertension are the most common causes of esophageal varices. These are both possible complications of liver disease.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">The main risk factors for liver disease\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/liver-disease\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">include<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; line-height: 1.6em;\">\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">obesity<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">hepatitis infection<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">alcohol misuse<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">Diagnosis<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">When diagnosing liver disease, a doctor will have considered:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; line-height: 1.6em;\">\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">the person\u2019s symptoms<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">their medical history<\/li>\n<li style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.5em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">results of blood tests, a physical examination, and sometimes a liver biopsy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">A person who has cirrhosis should have regular screening for esophageal varices.<br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/><br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/>To\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/a_to_z\/esophageal-varices-a-to-z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">check for<\/a>\u00a0these varices, a doctor uses an\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/153737\">endoscope<\/a>, and they may also require a\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/153201\">CT scan<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">Types<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Esophageal varices can be small or large. Small varices measure less than\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6267385\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">5 millimeters<\/a>\u00a0in diameter, and they may require different treatments from larger varices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Small varices do not always cause symptoms. A doctor will recommend ways to prevent further liver damage, which may involve medication and lifestyle changes.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Treatment for large varices may involve minor surgery to prevent bleeding.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Varices can also form in other areas of the body: Gastric varices occur in the stomach and duodenal varices form in the first part of the small intestine. A person can also develop rectal varices.<\/p>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">Treatment<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">The main goal of treatment for esophageal varices is to prevent ruptures and bleeding. Initially, this often involves steps to control portal hypertension.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">The doctor may prescribe beta-blockers to reduce blood pressure. These drugs work by blocking the effects of a hormone called epinephrine, making the heart beat slower and with less force.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">A person with esophageal varices may also require one of the following surgical procedures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Endoscopic sclerotherapy involves using an endoscope to perform minor medical tasks, such as injecting a medication into the swollen veins to make them shrink.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Endoscopic variceal banding involves using the same tool to place a rubber band around a varice to prevent the vessel from bleeding.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Additional treatments may be necessary for varices that bleed recurrently.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">A doctor may recommend a\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/327424\">transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt<\/a>, or TIPS, procedure. This\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/cmj\/FullText\/2019\/05050\/Comparision_between_portosystemic_shunts_and.11.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">involves<\/a>\u00a0using an X-ray to guide the placement of a small tube to connect the portal vein with the hepatic vein. This creates a new channel for blood, reducing pressure in the portal vein.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Another treatment option is a\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/abs\/10.1080\/00015458.2020.1726099?scroll=top&amp;needAccess=true&amp;journalCode=tacb20\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">distal splenorenal shunt<\/a>\u00a0procedure. This connects the main vein of the spleen to the vein of the left kidney.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">Prevention<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">It is not always possible to prevent esophageal varices. Still, anyone with cirrhosis should receive treatment to reduce the risk of complications such as varices.<br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/><br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/>Also, medication and lifestyle changes can help reduce further liver damage and, thus, the risk of developing varices.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">If a person has varices, beta-blockers can help prevent them from bleeding. Banding can also help keep varices closed. Avoiding any ruptures is key to preventing complications.<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">Summary<\/h3>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Oesophageal varices are large or swollen blood vessels around the oesophagus. If they rupture and the blood leaks, it can cause serious complications.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">Oesophageal varices usually result from cirrhosis and portal hypertension.<br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/><br style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\" \/>If the varices are small, a person may be able to prevent further damage by making lifestyle changes and taking medication.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\">If they are large, the person may need to undergo one or more minor surgical procedures.<\/p>\n<p style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1em 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 1em; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px; line-height: 1.6em;\"><em style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background: transparent; padding: 0px;\">This article is from Medical News Today &#8211;\u00a0<a style=\"box-sizing: border-box; background: transparent; margin: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; padding: 0px; color: #77b7d9; text-decoration-line: none; display: inline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/esophageal-varices#summary\">https:\/\/www.medicalnewstoday.com\/articles\/esophageal-varices#summary<br \/>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Varices are large or swollen blood vessels, which can be located around the oesophagus&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":15981,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15980","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.9 - 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