Esophageal narrowing caused by scar tissue: Characteristics, signs, and remedies
A benign esophageal stricture is a noncancerous narrowing of the esophagus, which can make swallowing difficult and lead to discomfort. This condition can be caused by various factors, with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) being the leading cause. However, it is essential to understand that strictures may also arise from other inflammatory, traumatic, toxic, and iatrogenic etiologies.
Symptoms of a benign esophageal stricture include difficulty swallowing, food coming back up the throat, unintentional weight loss, heartburn, frequent hiccupping or burping, coughing or choking, drooling, dehydration or malnutrition. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is crucial to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Treatment options for benign esophageal strictures vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. For mild cases, making dietary and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding spicy, greasy, or fatty foods, losing excess weight, wearing loose-fitting clothing, eating frequent small meals, and avoiding lying down until 3 hours after eating, can help alleviate symptoms.
In cases caused by GERD, doctors may prescribe proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to reduce stomach acid. For more severe cases, treatment may involve esophageal dilation or stretching, the insertion of a stent to keep the esophagus open, or surgery. Severe cases may require additional dilations, and 30 percent of people who have an esophageal dilation may require another dilation within a year.
Diagnosis of a benign esophageal stricture can be made through an upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, barium swallow, or CT scan. In cases where the cause is an infection in the esophagus, antibiotics may be prescribed.
Beyond GERD, common causes of benign esophageal strictures include eosinophilic esophagitis, ingestion of caustic substances or chemicals, radiation esophagitis, prolonged use of nasogastric tubes or esophageal instrumentation, treatment of esophageal varices, esophagitis, scleroderma, and other factors. Early recognition of these non-GERD causes is important for targeted management and to prevent complications such as refractory strictures or malignant transformation.
In some rare cases, esophageal strictures may be congenital, such as esophageal atresia, which can produce strictures present from fetal development.
It is essential to remember that while some strictures may be benign, they can still cause significant discomfort and potentially lead to more severe complications. If you experience any symptoms of a benign esophageal stricture, it is crucial to consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
- A benign esophageal stricture can be caused by chronic conditions like GERD, but it can also stem from various other medical-conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis, ingestion of caustic substances, radiation esophagitis, prolonged use of nasogastric tubes, treatment of esophageal varices, and scleroderma.
- For cases of GERD-induced strictures, medical professionals may suggest using proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) to manage symptoms by reducing stomach acid.
- In some cases, severe benign esophageal strictures might require advanced treatment options like esophageal dilation or stretching, stent insertion, or surgery.
- In rare instances, benign esophageal strictures can be congenital, for example esophageal atresia, which may manifest from fetal development and necessitate specialized medical attention.
