Typical symptoms include:
- difficult or painful swallowing.
- unintended weight loss.
- regurgitation of food or liquids.
- sensation of something stuck in the chest after you eat.
- frequent burping or hiccups.
- heartburn.
Subsequently, Is stretching the esophagus safe? While esophageal dilation is generally a safe procedure, there are some risks that you should be aware of. Even though the risks sound scary, esophageal dilation, in general, is safe to perform in an outpatient setting and does not need to be performed in a hospital.
What causes esophagus to narrow? The most common cause of an esophageal stricture is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid backs up from the stomach into the esophagus and causes esophageal inflammation, which can lead to scarring and narrowing over time.
Yet, Is it painful to have your esophagus stretched? There may be some very mild discomfort or feelings or pressure, but there should not be pain during the procedure.
How do you fix a narrowing esophagus? Management and Treatment Esophageal dilation is the most common treatment for strictures. Your provider uses a balloon or dilator (a long plastic or rubber cylinder) to widen the narrow area of the esophagus.
What are the side effects of esophagus dilation?
Early signs of possible complications after an esophageal dilation include chest pain, fever, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, and bleeding or black bowel movements. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms after your procedure.
Does dilation of esophagus hurt?
Is Esophageal Dilation Painful? While minimally invasive, esophageal dilation can cause bruising and soreness. Some patients may experience discomfort during the procedure, and pain when swallowing in the days afterward.
Is esophageal dilation risky?
What are the Potential Complications of Esophageal Dilation? Although complications can occur even when the procedure is performed correctly, they are rare when performed by doctors who are specially trained. A perforation, or hole, of the esophagus lining occurs in a small percentage of cases and may require surgery.
How long after esophageal dilation can you eat?
Stick to liquids and soft foods for at least 24 hours after the procedure. Following your dilation, you’ll spend anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours recovering before you can go home. Avoid all solid foods for at least two to four hours after your procedure—ingesting liquids, only.
How often is esophageal dilation needed?
Dilation in EoE is well-tolerated, with a very low risk of serious complications. Patients with long-standing symptoms prior to diagnosis are likely to require dilation. More than half of those dilated will require multiple dilations, often needing a second procedure within one year.
Does esophagus narrow with age?
What causes esophageal strictures? This narrowing of the esophagus can be caused by many different conditions. The most common is benign stricture. This is the result of peptic esophagitis or gastroesophageal reflux disease and can occur at any age, though it is more common after the age of 40.
How many times can esophagus be stretched?
Overall, one to three dilations are sufficient to relieve dysphagia in simple strictures. Only 25–35 % of patients require additional sessions, with a maximum of five dilations in more than 95 % of patients [4]. Complex strictures are usually longer (>2 cm), angulated, irregular, or have a severely narrowed diameter.
What type of doctor does esophageal dilation?
Your healthcare provider will likely send you to either an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) or, more likely, a gastroenterologist (stomach and bowel disorder doctor) in order to have this procedure performed.
What happens after your esophagus is dilated?
What Can I Expect after Esophageal Dilation? After the dilation is done, you will probably be observed for a short period of time and then allowed to return to your normal activities. You may resume drinking when the anesthetic no longer causes numbness to your throat, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.
What is the most common symptom of esophageal disease?
The most common symptom of esophageal disease is heartburn, which is defined as a sensation of substernal burning. Chest pain without typical heartburn may occur in a variety of esophageal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux and motor disorders such as in achalasia.
Are you awake during esophageal dilation?
Esophageal dilation is minimally invasive, and does not typically require incisions or stitches. Patients remain awake during the procedure, which takes around 15 minutes, and are able to go home the same day.
