Esophageal Varices

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Esophageal Varices
Enlarged veins in esophagus
Caused by portal hypertension
Common in liver disease, cirrhosis

Causes
Cirrhosis main cause
Portal vein blood clot
Schistosomiasis infection

Pathophysiology
Blood flow blocked to liver
Pressure builds in portal vein
Blood diverted to small veins in esophagus

Symptoms
Usually asymptomatic unless bleeding
Vomiting blood
Black, tarry, or bloody stools
Lightheadedness, loss of consciousness

Signs of Liver Disease
Jaundice (yellow skin/eyes)
Easy bruising, bleeding
Ascites (fluid in belly)

Risk Factors for Bleeding
High portal vein pressure
Large varices
Red marks on varices (seen on endoscopy)
Severe cirrhosis, liver failure
Ongoing alcohol use
Previous variceal bleeding

Complications
Life-threatening bleeding
Increased risk of rebleeding
Shock, possible death

Diagnosis
Suspect in liver disease patients
Confirm with endoscopy

When to Seek Help
Black or bloody stools
Vomiting blood
Emergency: call 911

Prevention
No way to prevent varices in cirrhosis
Beta blockers reduce bleeding risk, not formation

Lifestyle Recommendations
No alcohol
Healthy diet: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein
Maintain healthy weight

Reduce Liver Stress
Limit chemical exposure
Follow safety with household products

Hepatitis Prevention
Avoid needle sharing, unprotected sex
Test for hepatitis A, B, C
Vaccinate for hepatitis A, B

Monitoring
Regular check-ups for liver disease patients
Watch for bleeding signs

Key Takeaways
Esophageal varices serious in liver disease
Bleeding is a medical emergency
Lifestyle changes and monitoring essential