Do you sometimes feel like something is stuck in your throat or chest when you swallow food or drink water? Do you find it difficult to swallow food, or do you feel pain when swallowing? This is a problem that many people experience. The reason for this may be that your esophagus, that is, your food pipe, is a little narrow. This is not something that should be ignored. Today we will talk about a simple and effective treatment for this problem.
What is Esophageal Dilation?
Simply put, this is a medical procedure that stretches/dilates your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. Imagine a tube that carries water, and when it gets blocked somewhere, it becomes very difficult for water to pass through, right? That's how it is with a narrowed esophagus. So, what this treatment does is to gradually widen the blocked area, making it easier for food to pass through to the stomach without any obstruction.
Although some people call this a 'thoracic surgery', that is not entirely accurate. This is because what is being widened here is not the throat, but the part of the esophagus below it.
What symptoms require this treatment?
If you have these symptoms, your doctor may tell you about this treatment:
- Difficulty swallowing: Feeling as if food is getting stuck.
- Feeling of something stuck in the throat or chest: A persistent feeling as if a lump of food is stuck.
- Pain when swallowing: Feeling pain every time you swallow food or drink.
- Regurgitation: The return of food from the stomach into the throat or mouth.
If you have one or more of these symptoms, don't ignore them as if they're normal. Be sure to talk to a doctor about it.
What conditions are treated with Esophageal Dilation?
This treatment is mainly used to treat several conditions that narrow the esophagus. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Medical condition | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Esophageal Strictures | This is the most common cause. Scarring in the esophagus due to long-term gastritis (acid reflux) causes that part to narrow. |
| Achalasia | In this condition, the sphincter at the lower end of the esophagus does not open properly, preventing food from entering the stomach and causing it to become stuck. |
| Esophageal Rings | These are rings of scar tissue that form inside the esophagus. These also cause the esophagus to narrow. |
| Eosinophilic Esophagitis | This is a condition similar to an allergy. A type of white blood cell in the body accumulates in the esophagus and causes swelling. This can also cause the esophagus to become blocked. |
How should I prepare before treatment?
Although this is not a major surgery, a little preparation is required.
- Talk to your doctor: Your doctor will ask about your complete medical history. It is very important to be honest about any medications, vitamins, Ayurvedic or other supplements you are taking .
- Be on an empty stomach: Your doctor will tell you exactly how many hours before the treatment you should avoid eating or drinking. An empty stomach is essential for the treatment to be safe. So follow those instructions exactly.
How is the treatment performed?
This is actually a relatively easy process that takes about 15 minutes to complete. There's no reason to be afraid.
1. Numbness: First, your throat and the area around your windpipe will be numbed so you don't feel any discomfort. You may also be given a small sedative to keep you calm.
2. Insertion of the endoscope: Next, a gastroenterologist will insert a small camera-equipped tube (endoscope) through your mouth and examine your esophagus.
3. Widening the esophagus: This is where the real work happens. The doctor may use one of two methods.
- Balloon Dilation: A small balloon-like device is inserted into the blocked area and then inflated with air or water to gradually widen the area. This is the most commonly used method.
- Bougie Dilation: Sometimes, if there are multiple blockages, this is also done using a series of thin plastic tubes (bougies) that gradually increase in size.
4. Completion: Once the esophagus is dilated to the desired size, the device is carefully removed. You will then be observed for a while and, in most cases, allowed to go home the same day.
What are the benefits and risks of this treatment?
Benefits
The biggest advantage of this is that it provides quick relief from swallowing difficulties. Some people can do it once. Others may need to have it done again after a while. But in most cases, you can go months, even years, without any problems. This is a very safe, low-risk treatment. This method can successfully cure more than 90% of cases of esophageal strictures .
Risks
As with any medical treatment, there are some very rare complications that can occur.
- Excessive bleeding
- Perforation of the esophagus
- Reactions to medications used for anesthesia
But remember, these are extremely rare and your medical team is fully prepared to deal with such an eventuality.
How long does it take to heal? And what should I do afterwards?
Most people can resume their normal activities the day after treatment. However, you may experience some sore throat, pain, or discomfort in your chest for two or three days. This is normal , so don't worry.
For those few days, you may find relief by eating liquid or soft foods such as yogurt, pudding, jelly, soup, and mashed potatoes. It is best to stay away from hard, spicy foods such as crackers for a few days. Your doctor will also advise you further on this.
| Seek medical advice immediately! | |
|---|---|
| If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately or go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Department (ETU). | |
| Risk characteristic | Description |
| Blood in stool | Black, tarry stools or red blood. |
| Severe chest pain | Pain that is more than normal and unbearable after treatment. |
| Fever | A fever of 39.4°C (103°F) or higher. |
| Difficulty breathing | Difficulty breathing or a feeling of suffocation. |
| Vomiting blood | Vomiting with red blood or something that looks like coffee grounds. |
Take-Home Message
- Don't ignore things like difficulty swallowing and a sore throat as normal. These could be signs of a narrowing of the esophagus.
- Esophageal Dilation is a simple, safe, and highly effective treatment that widens the esophagus.
- This treatment takes as little as 15 minutes, and in most cases, you can go home the same day.
- It is normal to experience a slight sore throat after treatment. However, if you experience symptoms such as severe chest pain, vomiting blood, or high fever, seek medical advice immediately .
- If you have these symptoms, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor and ask if this treatment is right for you.
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