Esophageal Varices Research Paper

Abstract While esophageal varices is a disease process it is mainly caused by other conditions. Most notably are liver cirrhosis (caused by either alcohol abuse or hepatitis infection) and deep vein thrombosis of the mesenteric or portal veins. Because the only real symptom of esophageal varices is bleeding it is often only diagnosed after an episode of bleeding or as part of a work up for another condition such a liver cirrhosis. due to late diagnosis and the asymptomatic nature of this illness it can be fatal. Treatment options include oral medication, minimally invasive procedures and multi-organ transplants.

Esophageal Varices: The silent Killer There are many disease 's in the world today. As a culture
In the case of active bleeding the underlying cause does not affect course of treatment. Therefore "using elastic bands to tie off bleeding veins [and] medications to slow blood flow into the portal vein" (Mayo, 2013) is the recommended course of action. This is called Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) the elastic bands are placed during a procedure called an upper endoscopy and act similar to a tourniquet. Unlike a tourniquet the bands are placed internally vise externally. The medication administered is Octriotide by IV for 3-5 days after the bleed on an inpatient bases. When the patient is not actively bleeding the underlying cause determines course of treatment. When the underlying cause is liver cirrhosis EBL may temporarily correct varices but will not correct portal hypertension since the liver is still the source of the blockage. Prior to a liver transplant the recommended procedure is a Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS). The TIPS procedure "decreases portal pressure by creating communication between [the] hepatic vein and an intrahepatic portal vein branch" (Domini). What this does is basically bypass the blockage in the liver. If the underlying cause is portal thrombosis TIPS is not effective, and treatment options become more challenging. Repeated EBL to control varices prior to bleeding along with a beta blocker such as Nadalol in addition to
However among the most common causes of liver cirrhosis are alcoholism and hepatitis C infection, both of which carry significant social impact. Individual Impact of these disorders aside. The social Impact is measurable fiscally by the cost of treatment in terms of rehabilitation and vast array of medical care depending on the disorder and stage of illness. The impact is immeasurable in terms of nationwide destruction of the family unit caused by the various types of high risk behavior often accompanied by the these two