ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURE or CORROSIVE ESOPHAGITIS |
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ESOPHAGEAL STRICTURE or CORROSIVE ESOPHAGITIS
DESCRIPTIONEsophageal stricture refers to a narrowing of the esophagus (the tube connecting the mouth to the stomach) caused by inflammation. The narrowing interferes with swallowing. Corrosive esophagitis refers to a narrowing of the esophagus caused by chemical damage.
Appropriate health care includes:
Physician's monitoring of general condition and medications.
Hospitalization for supportive care and intravenous nutrition.
Surgery to remove stricture if other measures fails.
Psychotherapy or counseling if your child feels suicidal.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Sudden or gradual decrease in your child's ability to swallow. This gradual swallowing difficulty affects solid foods first, then liquids.
Pain in the child's mouth and chest after eating.
Increased salivation.
Rapid breathing.
Vomiting, sometimes with mucus or blood. Cancer of the esophagus often causes similar symptoms.
CAUSES
Scarring of the child's esophagus following inflammation or damage caused by:
Chronic heartburn or hiatal hernia.
Prolonged use of feeding tubes.
Accidental swallowing of lye or other corrosive chemicals by a child who is ignorant of the danger.
Deliberate swallowing of lye or other corrosive chemicals by a child who is suicidal.
RISK FACTORS
Careless storage of corrosive chemicals, such as lye, kerosene, harsh detergent, or bleach.
PREVENTING COMPLICATIONS OR RECURRENCE
Store all chemicals out of the reach of young children.
Avoid prolonged use of a feeding tube in your child.
BASIC INFORMATION
MEDICAL TESTS
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
Surgical diagnostic procedures such as endoscopy (See Glossary).
X-rays of the child's esophagus (barium swallow).
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Malnutrition from your child's inability to eat normally.
Perforation of the damaged esophagus. This may be life-threatening.
PROBABLE OUTCOME
Usually curable with treatment. Your child's normal swallowing can be maintained with regular treatment to stretch the stricture.
TREATMENT
HOME CAREThe child's stricture must be stretched regularly (about once a month) with large, heavy dilators. Your doctor will provide specific instructions. The stricture will eventually return if regular treatments are not continued.
MEDICATION
Your doctor may prescribe:
Cortisone drugs to reduce the child's inflammation and diminish the possibility of scarring.
Antibiotics to prevent infection.
See Medications section for information regarding medicines your doctor may prescribe.
ACTIVITY
Your child can resume normal activities gradually.
DIET & FLUIDS
Provide a soft or liquid diet for your child to eat after treatment until normal swallowing is possible. Avoid serving spicy foods that irritate the esophagus.
Urge your child not to drink alcohol.
OK TO GO TO SCHOOL?When appetite has returned and alertness, strength, and feeling of well-being will allow.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
Your child has symptoms of esophageal stricture or corrosive esophagitis.
The following occurs during treatment:
-- Chest pain.
-- Fever.
-- Inability to speak.
-- Feeling of air bubbles under the skin of the child's chest.
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