What Is Esophageal Stricture?
Have you ever had trouble swallowing your food? While many of us experience small bouts of dysphagia (the medical term for difficulty swallowing) from time to time, frequent, and lengthy periods of this difficulty are not only something imperative to look at on their own, but they can also be an indicator of something even more serious entirely. For example, esophageal stricture is often a sign of untreated GERD. Let’s talk about this particular GERD complication, and why it’s so important to get it (and your GERD) treated.
GERD Complications: Esophageal Stricture
First and foremost, what is esophageal stricture? This condition is known for its abnormal narrowing and tightening of the esophagus, making it difficult to swallow your food, and causing general discomfort.
Esophageal Stricture Symptoms
Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
Painful swallowing
Burning sensation in neck or throat
Frequent feeling of food getting stuck in throat
Regurgitation
Weight loss
What Causes Esophageal Stricture?
Arising from untreated GERD, esophageal stricture is often caused by scarring from stomach acid and enzymes like pepsin. Many patients don’t realize that even if you take acid-reducing medication for your symptoms, your esophagus is still attacked with stomach enzymes every time regurgitation happens - and pepsin can break down proteins in the esophageal lining. Patients with esophageal stricture tend to have burning sensations when swallowing, and they will likely also have difficulty swallowing.
It is important to note that there are other causes for strictures, including upper body radiation, esophageal cancer, auto-immune conditions targeting the esophagus, surgical procedures, and some types of medication.
Is Esophageal Stricture An Emergency?
Since this is a condition that develops slowly over time, it’s difficult to define the point at which esophageal stricture becomes an urgent issue. There are two types of strictures, however: benign and cancerous. If you have had your stricture evaluated before, and it was determined to be benign, difficulty or pain upon swallowing may not necessarily be an emergency, but it is extremely uncomfortable.
Here at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center, we take esophageal stricture very seriously - damage to the esophagus can increase your risk for cancer, so you need to address the underlying cause: GERD.
What Are My Options for Esophageal Stricture Treatment?
The first step in your treatment plan will be to eliminate your GERD symptoms for good; after all, repairing the esophagus would be pointless if regurgitation and damage continue. The second step in esophageal stricture treatment is to use an inflation technique to enlarge the esophagus in the area that is causing problems.
GERD Diagnosis & Treatment in Tampa Bay
If you’re ready to finally get a diagnosis and work towards eliminating your GERD and stricture symptoms, contact the team at the Tampa Bay Reflux Center. Our professional reflux specialists will develop a course of treatment with you so that you can be on your way to recovery.