What Is Involved In Medically Stretching The Throat?

Your doctor carefully passes tiny tools through the endoscope and uses them to widen the stricture. Alternatively, your doctor might spray a local anesthetic to the back of your throat and then pass a weighted dilator through your mouth and into your esophagus.

How do you stretch your throat?

• Throat Stretch Stand upright and put your hands on the lower back for support. Push your chest forward and your shoulders back. Bend you head back to stretch the throat. Don’t fully relax your neck muscles. Don’t let the weight of the head rest on your spine. Note: Close your mouth when you apply this throat stretch.

How does a doctor stretch your throat?

During the procedure, the doctor guides a balloon or plastic dilator down your throat and into your esophagus. Then the device expands, like a balloon filling with air. It widens any narrow parts of your esophagus. To guide the balloon or plastic dilator, the doctor may use a thin, lighted tube that bends.

Is esophageal stretching painful?

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.

How long does it take to recover from esophageal dilation?

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 long does throat stretching last?

Your throat may feel sore for a day after dilation but usually improves within 24 hours. Localized irritation of the vein where the medication was injected may cause a tender lump lasting for several weeks, but this will go away eventually.

Why would someone need their throat stretched?

Doctors stretch the esophagus in order to ease symptoms, such as trouble swallowing or discomfort. Keep in mind that the effects of this procedure can wear off over time. Your doctor can let you know other ways to help maintain a more open esophagus, so that you don’t experience symptoms again.

What is the procedure for stretching the esophagus?

Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing tube]. Doctors can use various techniques for this procedure. Your doctor might perform the procedure as part of a sedated endoscopy.

What are the symptoms of needing your esophagus stretched?

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.

Is it safe to have your esophagus stretched?

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.

Does stretching the esophagus help with acid reflux?

GERD is the most common cause of strictures, but cancer and other issues can also cause them. A dilation procedure can widen the esophagus and reduce symptoms.

What should I eat after stretching my throat?

You may have your usual diet after the procedure. Chew your food well to make it easier to swallow. Eat soft foods if you still have problems swallowing. Some soft foods include applesauce, baby food, bananas, cooked cereal, cottage cheese, eggs, gelatin, pudding, and yogurt.

What is the difference between dilatation and dilation?

Dilation and dilatation are two terms used interchangeably to describe different types of enlargements in medicine and biology. The main difference between dilation and dilatation is that dilation describes the passive enlargements whereas dilatation describes active enlargements.

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].

How can I naturally relax my esophagus?

Let foods and drinks that are very hot or very cold sit for a bit before eating or drinking them. Suck a peppermint lozenge. Peppermint oil is a smooth muscle relaxant and might help ease esophageal spasms. Place the peppermint lozenge under your tongue.

What causes esophageal dilation?

This is caused by reflux esophagitis. With this problem, the esophagus is irritated by acid reflux (heartburn). This occurs when acid from your stomach flows back up into the esophagus. Stomach acid damages the lining of the esophagus.

Is an endoscopy a surgical procedure?

This type of surgery is performed using a scope, a flexible tube with a camera and light at the tip. This allows your surgeon to see inside your colon and perform procedures without making major incisions, allowing for easier recovery time and less pain and discomfort.