When you eat, especially something dry like bread or a piece of meat that hasn't been chewed properly, do you suddenly feel like your throat is blocked? Or do you feel a pain in the middle of your chest? Sometimes these things make you feel like you don't want to eat, right? If you have these kinds of discomforts, the cause may be a small problem in your esophagus, that is, your food pipe. Today we are going to talk about such a condition, which is called a 'Schatzki Ring'.
What is this 'Schatzki Ring'? Let's understand it very simply, shall we?
Imagine that at the bottom of your food pipe (doctors call it the esophagus), where food enters your stomach, there's a little ring of extra tissue. It's like a rubber band inside your food pipe. That extra ring of tissue is called a Schatzki Ring . It's named after the radiologist who first discovered it, Richard Schatzki.
Now what happens because of this ring? The esophagus becomes a little narrow, that is, it becomes narrower. Then, when you swallow food, it becomes less likely for those food pieces to pass easily into the stomach. Sometimes, if this becomes so narrow that the food pieces can get stuck there and not even pass into the stomach. This is what we call difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) .
However, not everyone with a Schatzki ring will have any major symptoms. Some people find out they have it by accident when they have a test done for another problem. If you don't have any major difficulty swallowing, you may not need treatment.
What are the symptoms of a 'Schatzki Ring'? See if you have these too
The main symptom is the difficulty swallowing (dysphagia) we discussed earlier. However, there may be several other symptoms:
- Food impaction: Shortly after you start eating, a piece of food can get stuck in the Schatzki ring when you try to swallow. This can make it difficult to swallow even a drop of water. Sometimes, you may experience a sharp pain or burning sensation when swallowing (odynophagia) . You may try to get the stuck piece of food out of your throat, and you may vomit.
- Noncardiac chest pain: This can feel like something is stuck in the chest. Some people may worry that it is a heart attack. However, this is not a heart problem.
Most of the time, these symptoms appear after eating things like stale bread or undercooked meat. These symptoms do not come on suddenly, but develop gradually. Although this condition can start at any age, it is usually seen after the age of 25. Imagine how uncomfortable it is when you go to a party with friends and suddenly have a hard time swallowing a piece of meat.
Why does this 'Schatzki Ring' form? What are the reasons?
The exact cause of this is not yet clear. It is possible that this is a congenital condition , meaning that you are born with it.
But researchers believe that other factors may play a role. For example, stomach acid flowing up into the esophagus is thought to be a major cause. Experts believe that when stomach acid or certain medications repeatedly injure the lower part of the esophagus, extra tissue grows in that area as the injury heals. Think of it like a scar forming on our skin when we get a cut.
There are several other conditions that can contribute to the formation of this `(Schatzki ring):
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a more severe form of gastritis, which many of us are familiar with. GERD is a condition in which stomach acid constantly flows back up into the esophagus. This acid can damage the lining of the esophagus.
- Hiatal hernia: Some people think that a hiatal hernia and a Schatzki ring are the same thing. However, they are not. However, there is a connection between the two. Many people with a Schatzki ring also have a hiatal hernia. This is when the upper part of the stomach pushes up through a small hole in the diaphragm. This allows stomach contents, such as acid, to easily come up into the esophagus. This can also damage the esophagus.
How do doctors detect a Schatzki Ring?
If you have difficulty swallowing, your doctor will first give you a physical exam . He or she will ask you about your symptoms, especially what foods make your difficulty worse. If he or she has any concerns, you may be referred to a gastroenterologist .
That specialist may perform these tests:
- Endoscopy: This involves inserting a long, flexible tube (called an endoscope) with a small camera and light attached through the mouth and examining the inside of the esophagus. This allows the Schatzki ring to be seen directly.
- Barium esophagram: This is sometimes called a barium swallow test . In this test, you swallow a tablet or liquid made of a solution called barium. Then, the doctor uses a fluoroscopic X-ray (moving X-ray images) to watch the food pass through your esophagus as you swallow it. This can give an idea of the size of the ring, or how narrowed your esophagus is.
The important thing is that as this ring of tissue gets bigger, the space inside your esophagus becomes narrower. That's when it becomes more difficult for food to get into your stomach.
How is a Schatzki Ring treated?
Your gastroenterologist will likely perform an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with esophageal dilation . Don't worry, this is a long procedure, but the process is simple.
What happens in this is, using the ``endoscope'', that is, the tube with the camera, a small balloon or dilator is sent into the esophagus. Then, at the location of the ``Schatzki ring'', this balloon or device is inflated, and the narrowed area is widened. It's like making a narrowed tube a little bigger. This pulls out that extra ring of tissue.
Can treatments cause side effects?
There may be some minor side effects after the esophageal dilation procedure (EGD), but these are usually not serious.
- A little bleeding
- Heartburn, like gastritis
- Sore throat
But very rarely , when this esophageal dilation is performed, the esophageal wall can become slightly torn (tear a hole). This is a serious condition. Therefore, if you experience any of the following symptoms after treatment , you should inform your doctor immediately :
- If you are in a situation where you can't swallow
- If you have difficulty breathing
- If you have severe chest pain
- If you vomit blood
If something like this happens, don't delay even a little bit, okay?
What can you expect if you have a 'Schatzki Ring'?
Usually, after esophageal dilation, the food getting stuck due to the Schatzki ring will largely stop. You will be able to swallow food easily again.
However, it is possible for this ring to `come back`. If that happens, you may need to see your doctor again and possibly undergo another course of treatment. So it is important to pay attention to the symptoms.
How can I take care of myself? What should I do?
If you have difficulty swallowing because of a Schatzki ring, you may have more problems, especially when eating things like dry bread or large pieces of meat. Your doctor may advise you to focus on soft foods for a while before and after treatment.
- Well-cooked vegetables and rice
- Types of soup
- Soft fruits like bananas and papayas
- Yogurt, skim milk
These things are easy to swallow. It is also very important to practice chewing your food well and swallowing slowly . Don't eat in a hurry.
When should I see the doctor again?
If you feel like your symptoms are coming back, such as choking or chest pain, be sure to see your gastroenterologist again. He or she may want to do more tests to see if the Schatzki ring has recurred.
Doesn't this 'Schatzki Ring' get better on its own?
No, this is not a condition that will get better on its own. To get rid of a `(Schatzki ring)`, you need to undergo treatment. Even with such treatment, as we mentioned earlier, this condition can recur. Then treatment will be required again.
Finally, a few things to remember (Take-Home Message)
A meal is often a time when we relax, enjoy a delicious meal, and perhaps spend time with family. But if you have a ``Schatzki ring'' in your esophagus, that pleasure can be lost when you have difficulty swallowing food, and even eating can be a pain.
The best thing to do if you have these symptoms is to seek medical advice without ignoring them.
Treatment can greatly reduce the symptoms of Schatzki ring. If tests confirm that you have this condition, talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. He or she will explain your options and what you can expect from treatment. Don't worry, there are effective treatments for this!
` Schatzki ring, dysphagia, difficulty swallowing, esophagus, GERD, hiatal hernia, endoscopy, esophageal dilation
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