What is esophageal dilation? This procedure is also known as an esophagus stricture, and it allows your doctor to dilate – meaning to stretch and widen – a narrowed section of your esophagus. Also referred to as a swallowing tube, your esophagus allows food and drink to pass through to your stomach.
How do they stretch your esophagus?
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- 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.
Contents
- 1 Why would you have your esophagus stretched?
- 2 How long does it take to recover from esophageal dilation?
- 3 What happens after esophagus stretching?
- 4 What are the symptoms of narrowing of the esophagus?
- 5 Is it painful to have your esophagus stretched?
- 6 Does stretching the esophagus help with acid reflux?
- 7 How can I naturally relax my esophagus?
- 8 What should I eat after stretching my throat?
- 9 Why is my food getting stuck in my esophagus?
- 10 What does dilation of the esophagus mean?
- 11 Can a narrowed esophagus heal itself?
- 12 How long does balloon dilation last?
- 13 How many times can you have esophageal dilation?
- 14 Does the esophagus narrow with age?
- 15 What is the procedure for stretching the esophagus?
Why would you have your esophagus 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.
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.
What happens after esophagus stretching?
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 are the symptoms of narrowing of the esophagus?
What are the symptoms of an esophageal stricture?
- Pain while swallowing (odynophagia)
- Inability to swallow.
- Sensation of food sticking in the throat or chest.
- Drooling.
- Regurgitation (bringing food back up)
- Frequent heartburn.
- Food or stomach acid backs up into the throat.
- Unexpected weight loss.
Is it painful to have your esophagus stretched?
Little discomfort or pain. Effective at relieving esophageal stricture. Side effects are usually minimal (such as a sore throat) One procedure is usually all that’s needed.
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.
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.
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.
Why is my food getting stuck in my esophagus?
A narrowed esophagus (stricture) can trap large pieces of food. Tumors or scar tissue, often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), can cause narrowing. Esophageal tumors. Difficulty swallowing tends to get progressively worse when esophageal tumors are present due to narrowing of the esophagus.
What does dilation of the esophagus mean?
An esophageal dilation is a procedure used to widen a narrowed section of your esophagus. This is the tube that leads from your throat to your stomach. Narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus can cause problems. These include trouble swallowing.
Can a narrowed esophagus heal itself?
Acid reflux, hiatal hernias, vomiting, complications from radiation therapy, and certain oral medications are among the reasons the esophagus can develop inflamed tissue. Esophagitis can usually heal without intervention, but to aid in the recovery, eaters can adopt what’s known as an esophageal, or soft food, diet.
How long does balloon dilation last?
The balloon was inflated once per procedure in 21 of 74 (28.3%) dilations and twice per procedure in 53 of 74 (72.7%). The duration of the inflation ranged from 30 s to 2 min (median 93 s) and in each procedure obliteration of the balloon “waist” was fluoroscopically noted.
How many times can you have esophageal dilation?
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].
Does the esophagus narrow with age?
An esophageal stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the esophagus, a tube-like structure that connects your throat to the stomach. This condition is fairly common and can occur at any age, although it’s most common after age 40.
What is the procedure for stretching the esophagus?
Esophageal dilation is a treatment to help stretch, or dilate, abnormal narrowings found in the esophagus. These narrowings are called strictures and can occur from a variety of health problems.