Generality Esophageal varices are abnormal dilatations, circumscribed and usually multiple, of the submucosal veins of the esophagus, in particular of its lower third. A typical consequence of portal hypertension, esophageal varices have a congenital origin only in a small percentage of cases; more often, they are known to embody one of the most feared complications of liver cirrhosis; if not treated properly, in fact, esophageal varices can break, resulting in very serious bleeding, lethal in one out of five patients
Category esophagus health
The diseases that affect the esophagus determine an alteration of swallowing, the achievement of the bolus in the stomach and gastric containment. Generally speaking, nutrition is NOT directly involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases, however it can be decisive in reducing symptoms and related complications, both in the short and in the long term
Basics of anatomy and physiology The esophagus is a hollow tube-shaped organ (25-30 cm long) that connects the pharynx to the stomach; the esophagus is limited superiorly by the upper esophageal sphincter (or cricopharyngeal) and inferiorly by the inferior esophageal sphincter (or cardia). From the histological point of view, the esophagus is made up of 4-5 layers; proceeding from the inside (lumen) to the outside, in order are: mucosa, submucosa, muscular, adventitious and serous (present only in the portion closest to the stomach)
Generality Esophageal cancer is a neoplastic process that originates from the tissues of the esophagus (the channel through which ingested foods and liquids reach the stomach). The two main forms of disease are squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma , which derive from the uncontrolled growth of the cells of the inner lining of the esophagus and those of the glandular component of the mucous membrane
See also: Barrett's Esophagitis Esophagitis The esophagus is the tract of the alimentary canal that unites the pharynx with the mouth of the stomach. This muscular conduit extends between the sixth cervical vertebra and the tenth thoracic vertebra, for a total length of 23-26 centimeters; its thickness, at the point of greatest diameter, reaches 25 - 30 millimeters, while in the narrower one it measures 19
Generality Esophagitis is a fairly common condition, characterized by inflammation of the esophagus due to excessive uptake of acidic juices from the stomach. In addition to these episodes of gastroesophageal reflux, among the less frequent causes of esophagitis can be included infectious diseases (in immunocompromised patients), ionizing radiations, allergies (eosinophilic esophagitis) and the ingestion of particular drugs or corrosive substances
Generality Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the esophagus. The inflammatory process is supported by an immune-mediated reaction , in which a large number of eosinophils , a particular type of white blood cells , intervene. The causes of eosinophilic esophagitis are still unknown, but inflammation may depend on the combination of genetic and environmental factors
Generality We talk about Barrett's esophagus when the normal tissue that covers this muscular conduit, located between the pharynx and the mouth of the stomach, is replaced with an epithelium similar to that which internally covers the walls of the duodenum (initial tract of the small intestine)
Generality The lump in the throat is a symptom that manifests itself as the sensation of a foreign body or mass in the pharynx, larynx and / or cervical portions of the esophagus . This disorder can make swallowing difficult or even painful. The lump in the throat is a relatively frequent manifestation, which may depend on various pathological conditions
Generality Cardiac incontinence is a disorder of the digestive system, characterized by malfunctioning of the cardia , a sort of valve that regulates the passage of food from the esophagus to the stomach, preventing it from turning back. This problem recognizes several pathological causes. In any case, the cardias can no longer contract sufficiently to avoid the ascent of the acid gastric contents towards the esophagus
Generality Esophageal manometry is an exam that evaluates the motility of the esophagus (at rest and during swallowing) and measures the pressure inside it. The procedure requires the introduction of a small flexible probe through a nostril and throat up to the stomach. This maneuver can be slightly annoying, therefore, before the esophageal manometry, a local anesthetic (lidocaine-based spray) is administered