Obstruction of the esophagus is a serious enough pathology that can be considered life-threatening. Serious consequences can be avoided only if you consult a doctor in a timely manner. Depending on the severity of the disease, the method of treatment is determined. Next, we will consider how obstruction of the esophagus manifests itself, what causes the development of pathology and whether it is possible to get rid of it.
How the disease progresses
Before considering the symptoms and treatment, it is necessary to understand what an obstruction of the esophagus is. With the development of such a pathological condition, the patency of the food bolus through the esophagus is impaired. Obstruction can develop as an independent disease or as an exacerbation of other pathologies.
If there was an injury to the walls of the esophagus, then during healing, connective tissue is formed, which can provoke obstruction. Next, consider the causes of the development of pathology in more detail.
Stages of disease development
This pathology goes through several stages in its development:
- The patient begins to feel some discomfort when swallowing,there are pronounced discomfort behind the sternum.
- At the next stage, large pieces of food are difficult to pass, it becomes easier if you drink liquid at the same time as eating.
- It becomes difficult to take even pureed food.
- Pain in the esophagus occurs even with the use of any liquid.
- Obstruction of the esophagus at the next stage is a critical stage when the passage of the esophagus is completely blocked. Even water becomes impossible to swallow.
It must be borne in mind that the sooner a pathology is detected, the more effective the therapy will be.
Forms and degrees of disease
Two forms of pathology can be distinguished:
- Divisions of the esophagus can narrow as a result of a benign lesion, for example, a chemical burn, the use of various caustic liquids, the presence of ulcers in the deep layers.
- Obstruction of malignant origin develops against the background of cancer of the esophagus.
The disease also has degrees:
- The first degree is a narrowing of 9-11 mm.
- 2nd - constriction diameter 6-8 mm.
- Next degree 3-5mm.
- 4th degree 1-2 mm.
Causes for the development of pathology
There are a large number of factors and diseases that can trigger the development of esophageal obstruction. The most commonly noted are:
- Stenosis can be triggered by the intake of chemical liquids or too hot drinks, it is for this reason that you should not drink very hotdrinking.
- Malignant and benign neoplasms in the esophagus.
- Mechanical injury of the esophagus, which is possible as a result of foreign objects, wounds.
- Irritation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus by the contents of the stomach and gallbladder.
- Obstruction can develop as a result of infectious, inflammatory diseases.
- Pathologies of connective tissue.
- Divisions of the esophagus can also be damaged as a result of pathologies of the thyroid gland, for example, nodular goiter develops.
- There is even a congenital obstruction that develops in a child during fetal development.
How to recognize an obstruction
The anatomy of the esophagus is such that pathology can develop very quickly, so it is important to detect it as early as possible. Symptoms may include:
- The main symptom of pathology is dysphagia, when swallowing is painful and difficult. The degree can vary from mild discomfort to difficulty swallowing water.
- There is pain when swallowing behind the sternum. You can confuse these symptoms with heart pain.
- Vomit of eaten food with blood impurities appears.
- Frequent belching with a smell of rotten eggs.
- Due to stenosis, the amount of food eaten is reduced, so the patient loses weight.
Do not ignore even the slightest signs of obstruction of the esophagus in adults and children. The soonertherapy is started, the better.
Diagnosis of disease
Accurate diagnosis is the first step to effective treatment. The anatomy of the esophagus is such that it is almost impossible to visually determine the presence of pathology, therefore, the following methods are used for diagnosis:
- Eophagogastroduodenoscopy is a technique that allows you 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.
- X-ray examination.
- Computer and magnetic tomography helps to differentiate the disease, confirm the diagnosis and detect related problems.
Because 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.
- Stool examination for occult blood.
- Complete blood and urine tests.
After receiving all the results of the study and finding out the cause, treatment of the esophagus is prescribed.
Therapy of disease
Treatment tactics will completely depend on the severity of the pathology and the cause of its occurrence. For example, if a foreign body has entered the esophagus, then it is removed using an esophagoscope with an expansion of the lumen. If there is oncology, then one method of treatment is indispensable.
If we consider the complex therapy of pathology, then the treatment of the esophagus includes:
- Drug therapy.
- Surgical treatment.
- Using folk therapies.
- Diet therapy.
The best result can only be obtained with complex treatment.
We treat obstruction with drugs and surgery
After the cause of the pathology is established and the severity of the disease is identified, the treatment tactics are chosen. It begins with the appointment of medicines from the following groups:
- Antacids.
- Prokinetics.
- Preparations with astringent properties.
- Prescribe recovery and regeneration boosters.
- Proton inhibitors.
If drug therapy does not help and obstruction of the esophagus does not relieve its symptoms, then surgical treatment is indicated. Usually this method is needed for cancer of the esophagus. Currently, several effective methods are used:
- Surgical intervention with complete removal of the esophagus and its replacement with other tissues.
- Administering chemotherapy with anti-cancer drugs.
- Radiation therapy combined with chemotherapy helps shrink the tumor so it can be removed.
If a benign tumor is detected as a result of the study, then it is removed by expanding the esophagus with special instruments.
Obstruction of the esophagus: treatment with folk remedies
Folk recipes can come to the aid of drug treatment. infusions anddecoctions of medicinal plants will help alleviate the patient's condition and reduce the symptoms of pathology.
Before using folk recipes, you should definitely consult with your doctor, because you can only aggravate the condition. To get rid of obstruction, the following recipes are used:
- Decoction of oak bark. You can prepare a healing potion like this: take 30 grams of oak bark and cinquefoil, 40 grams of walnut leaves and St. John's wort and 20 grams of oregano leaves. Combine everything, 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 the medicinal mixture, take 100 ml half an hour before meals.
- Composition based on wormwood. It is necessary to prepare 50 grams of wormwood, 75 arnica and 100 grams of femur root. Place 45 grams of the mixture in a thermos and pour 400 ml of boiling water. Infuse for 10 hours, and then take 100 ml 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Mix raisins, honey, olive oil and hay grass and take 1 tablespoon before bed with water.
- Prepare a tincture of young walnuts in alcohol and take a teaspoon after meals.
- Alder bark helps fight esophageal obstruction. The crushed raw materials must be poured with boiling water and insisted 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 self-medicate.
Changing the diet
Nutrition for esophageal obstruction depends onseverity of stenosis and causes of pathology. Nutritionists recommend several diet tables:
- 1. Complete nutrition, but all dishes must be pureed and steamed or boiled. It is not recommended to eat too cold or hot dishes. Throughout the day, you need to eat often, but in small portions.
- Table number 2 implies the use of only liquid and semi-liquid dishes. Between meals, the interval is not more than 2.5 hours. The use of s alt must be limited, exclude bread, sausages and smoked meats, buns and pies, sour fruits. Instead of strong tea and coffee, it is better to drink fruit drinks, compotes or decoctions of medicinal herbs.
- Table number 3 allows a low-calorie diet with the exclusion of all products that irritate the mucous membrane. All dishes must be grated and in a semi-liquid state.
It must be remembered that nutrition correction should complement the main course of therapy.
Prevention of pathology
In order to prevent the disease, you need:
- 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 confuse and in a place where a child cannot reach.
- If you have gastroesophageal reflux, you must follow a strict diet: do not overeat, do not eat irritating foods.
- Do not eat before bed: last meal no later than 3 hours before bedtime.
- After eating do notimmediately take up a vertical position.
- Watch your weight.
- Do not wear too tight clothes, tight belts.
- Do not physically overload.
It is much easier to prevent the development of the disease than to engage in long-term treatment later. When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, it is better to immediately visit a specialist, and not self-medicate.
