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 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 3

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 4

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 5

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 6

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.

Question 7

is there any treatment for esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Medications and banding have been shown to dedrease but not eliminate to risk of varies bleeding. Ultimately that is what really maters.

Question 8

why is esophageal varices bleeding a fatal condition?

Accepted Answer

It can be: Bleeding esophageal varices are very serious because you can loose a lot blood quickly . it can be fatal but often is not. other factors like the overall health the patient also affect the chance of death.

Question 9

do doctors see a lot of patients with esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Yes: We don't always recognize the problem however, see your primary provider to further evaluate.

Question 10

what are some available treatments for esophageal varices?

Accepted Answer

Multiple: Varices can be treated with medications like beta blockers to reduce venous pressures, direct ligation of the veins, systemic shunts to reduce blood flow and pressure in the liver and portal vein system. The ultimate treatment in select cases is a liver transplant. Need to work with a hematologist and GI specialist and at times a GI surgeon.

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Doctor answers about:

Esophageal varices ligation

A member asked:

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

A member asked:

How can i treat 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:

Are esophageal varices fully curable?

A member asked:

What are the differences between gastric varices and esophageal varices?

A member asked:

Is there any treatment for esophageal varices?

A member asked:

Why is esophageal varices bleeding a fatal condition?

A member asked:

Do doctors see a lot of patients with esophageal varices?

A member asked:

What are some available treatments for esophageal varices?

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