Question 1

how much time will it take for esophageal varices to regrow after initial band ligation ?

Accepted Answer

Difficult to say: Banding of esophageal varices is a non-surgical treatment for these potentially lethal bleeding sites...Depending on the underlying disease, banding may completely solve this problem but recurrances of the varices is almost always due to underlying portal hypertension usually due to liver disease.

Question 2

how much time do the bands last after esophageal varices surgery. do you have to have them replaced?

Accepted Answer

Esophageal banding: Esophageal banding essentially puts a "rubber band" like device around an enlarged blood vessel in the esophagus that is bleeding or at risk for bleeding. This banding essentially cuts off the blood supply. After this is performed the band will eventually fall off in a few days to a week. You might see the band pass in your stool.  If you had banding done you may need again sometime in the future.

Question 3

how can i treat esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

See a doctor: Esophageal varices is not a trivial lesion.  It is usually associated with severe and chronic liver disease.  It is not something you can treat yourself for.

Question 4

how do people develop esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Cirrhosis: When the liver becomes scarred (alcohol is the most common cause) blood can't flow through it to get back to the heart. The liver normally filters the blood coming from the GI tract. The blood still has to get back to the heart so it finds alternative pathways such as the veins in the esophagus. Over time these become swollen and can erode through the esophagus and bleed.

Question 5

do a lot of people get esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

No, it is uncommon. : Esophageal varices are more common in people with high blood pressure in veins that drain into the liver. This is usually caused by a liver disease like alcohol-induced cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.

Question 6

what do you recommend for esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Banding: Esophageal varices are treated with endoscopic banding, a procedure (semi invasive) that ties the varices in the esophagus that prevents them from bleeding. Sclerotherapy (injecting a substance that will cause obliteration of a varix) is another option, but is less frequently used. Anti-acid therapy with acid reducers is added as well.

Question 7

what is the definition or description of: esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Varicose veins: Esophageal varices (or oesophageal varices) are extremely dilated sub-mucosal veins in the lower third of the esophagus.

Question 8

my sister says she has esophageal varices. are family members more likely to get the same thing?

Accepted Answer

Liver disease: Varices are seen commonly in liver disease. So it depends on what liver disease we are talking about. For example hepatitis c isn't genetic but wilson's disease and hereditary hemachromatosis are.

Question 9

are esophageal varices fully curable?

Accepted Answer

No: The varices are another route of blood return to your heart due to liver scarring or blockage of the blood that should enter the liver from the GI tract.  There is no good way to correct that save for liver transplantation.  The problem with varices is bleeding and there are procedures done to deal with the bleeding and to minimize the risk.

Question 10

what are the differences between gastric varices and esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Location Location ..: Gastric Varices are caused by portal hypertension { increased pressure in the circulation from the Gastrointestinal[ GI] tract to liver . This is the same process that causes Esophageal Varices . The only difference is the stomach [ Gastric] part of the GI tract is farther down the line.

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Doctor answers about:

Eating after esophageal varices banding

A member asked:

How much time will it take for esophageal varices to regrow after initial band ligation ?

A member asked:

How much time do the bands last after esophageal varices surgery. do you have to have them replaced?

A member asked:

How can i treat esophageal varices?

A member asked:

How do people develop esophageal varices?

A member asked:

Do a lot of people get esophageal varices?

A member asked:

What do you recommend for esophageal varices?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: esophageal varices?

A member asked:

My sister says she has esophageal varices. are family members more likely to get the same thing?

A member asked:

Are esophageal varices fully curable?

A member asked:

What are the differences between gastric varices and esophageal varices?

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