Esophageal varices are the dilated veins in the lower part of the esophagus. Portal hypertension is considered the major cause of esophageal varices.
- SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- CAUSES
- PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- DIAGNOSIS
- TREATMENTS
- PROGNOSIS
- COMPLICATIONS
- ESOPHAGEAL VARICES AND AYURVEDA
- NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES
- PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS
- SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS
- LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS
- CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
- AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT
- AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT
- COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
- HOME REMEDIES
- DIET AND BEHAVIOUR
- YOGA
Esophageal varices Symptoms
- Bloating
- Dark stool
- Vomiting blood
- Difficulty swallowing
Ayurvedic Treatment for Esophageal varices
Esophageal varices causes
- Severe liver cirrhosis
- Hepatitis
- Fatty liver
- Alcoholic liver diseases
- Portal hypertension
- Budd-Chiari syndrome (blockage of certain veins in the liver)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
The lower part of the esophagus is drained into the superficial veins, which drain into the left gastric vein, which in turn drains directly into the portal vein. When portal pressure increases, such as with cirrhosis, there is dilation of veins in the anastomosis, leading to esophageal varices.
DIAGNOSIS
- Esophogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
- MRI scan
- CT scan
- Doppler ultrasound
Esophageal varices treatment
- Beta-blockers
- Control measures for bleeding
- Treatment for liver pathology
PROGNOSIS
The prognosis is based on the stage of the disease, duration, and condition of the patient
COMPLICATIONS
Esophageal varices may lead to severe bleeding and life-threatening complications, including death.
ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
In Ayurveda, esophageal varices are managed based on the treatment of ‘yakridodara’
NIDANA- AYURVEDIC CAUSES
- Excess consumption of dry, acrid, sour food
- Improper functioning of agni
- Improper administration of Pancha Karma therapy
- Negligence of treatment of diseases, like Pliha Roga (splenic disorder)
- Vega sandharana – Suppression of the manifested natural urges
- Vitiation of the channels of circulation
PURVAROOPAM- AYURVEDIC PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
Difficulty in swallowing, bloating.
SAMPRAPTI – AYURVEDIC PATHOGENESIS OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
Due to the above-mentioned causes doshas aggravated especially pitta. The vitiated doshas reside in the stomach and esophagus and produce symptoms.
LAKSHANA- AYURVEDIC SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ESOPHAGEAL VARICES
- Chardi – vomiting
- Daurbalya –Weakness
- Aruchi -anorexia
- Kostha vata shula -distension of alimentary tract by wind and colic pain
- Murchha –fainting
- Anaha (immobility of wind in the abdomen)
- Agni nasha -loss of the power of digestion
- Aasya vairasya – distaste in the mouth
- Antar rakta srava – internal bleeding
AYURVEDIC PROGNOSIS
Sadya (curable) in the early stage and manageable in the chronic stage with proper Ayurvedic remedies.
CHIKITSA- AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
AYURVEDIC SAMANA TREATMENT
- Pippali rasayana
- Ksheera shatpala ghrita
- Pravala panchamrita rasa
- Punarnava mandura
- Mahashankha vati
AYURVEDIC SHODHANA TREATMENT
Virechana – mild purgation (in early stages)
COMMONLY USED AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
Internal administration
- Pippali rasayana
- Mahashankha vati
- Ksheera shatpala ghrita
- Pravala panchamrita rasa
- Punarnava mandura
HOME REMEDIES
- Consume fluid-rich soft food
- Consume fibre-rich food
DIET AND BEHAVIOUR
- Avoid food items that produce pitta dosha imbalance like more acrid and sour. Because dosha imbalance aggravates the symptoms.
- Consume easily digestible food items, cow’s milk
- Timely intake of food
- Drink an appropriate quantity of water
- Avoid alcohol and smoking
YOGA
Nadi Shuddi Pranayam
The patient needs to be seated in a meditative posture with the head and spine erect, and the body relaxed. The patient has to close one nostril (e.g. left nostril if using the right hand and vice versa) with the thumb and exhale completely through the other nostril. Again, he will have to breathe in deeply through the other nostril while the opposite nostril is still closed with the thumb.