The oesophagus is a hollow muscular tube that pushes food down to the stomach, where digestion can take place. For food to travel safely down this tube, it has to be chewed thoroughly. This helps prevent it from getting stuck and causing pain and discomfort whilst in the oesophagus itself.
Even though digestion starts in the mouth, the oesophagus, although considered part of the digestive system, does not break down food once it has been chewed and swallowed.
Several disorders can affect the oesophagus despite its simple function of transporting food to the stomach.
There are several disorders that can affect the oesophagus and its ability to transport food and liquid to the stomach. Some disorders are serious whilst others are considered minor in nature.
A common digestive complaint is heartburn and acid reflux. Heartburn causes a burning sensation in the middle of the chest, whilst acid reflux involves acid from the stomach escaping and traveling up into the oesophagus and throat.
Acid reflux can lead to the more serious gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD for short. Being overweight, eating too many spicy foods, and infections with helicobacter pylori bacteria are common GERD risk factors.
Esophagitis can be a consequence of GERD, and continuous acid reflux into the oesophagus can eventually lead to irritation and inflammation of the oesophagus. This, in turn, can prevent the oesophageal sphincter, which acts as a valve that prevents stomach contents from escaping into the oesophagus from closing properly, leading to further episodes of reflux disease.
Oesophageal varices are swollen veins in the oesophagus. These veins can rupture at any time leading to death from blood loss. Therefore, this condition is a medical emergency. Alcoholics and those suffering from liver disease are most at risk from this oesophageal disorder.
An oesophageal diverticulum is a pouch that develops in the oesophagus, and it forms in the lining of the oesophagus and protrudes outwards. These often affect the middle-aged and elderly but develop slowly.
Unfortunately, oesophageal cancer is repeatedly seen as well, as it is the 10th most common cancer in the world. Symptoms are often experienced late, and this increases the chances of the cancer spreading to other parts of the body. Food intake is greatly affected when tumours grow in the oesophagus and narrow it. This can lead to malnutrition.
Symptoms to look out for with oesophageal disorders include a burning sensation in the oesophagus and throat irritation. Dysphagia, which is problems with swallowing both liquids and solids, can also be experienced along with regurgitation.
Other symptoms that can indicate the presence of oesophageal disorders include aspiration pneumonia caused by breathing in regurgitated food that cannot make it past an obstruction in the oesophagus.
With cancer of the oesophagus, weight loss, coughing, hoarseness, heartburn, and vomiting blood are some of the symptoms to look out for.
The most common form of diagnosis for oesophageal disorders is endoscopy. A flexible tube attached to a camera is swallowed and relays video footage of the oesophageal wall and even the inside of the stomach and small intestine to medical staff. It can locate obstructions and tumours along with other oesophageal disorders.
A barium swallow is an alternative to an endoscopy, and this involves drinking a liquid containing barium which can clearly highlight parts of the body in an X-ray.
How long treatment of oesophageal disorders takes depends on the cause. For esophagitis and acid reflux, antacids can bring rapid relief but may have to be taken for months.
Other disorders, such as obstructions, may require surgery, and recovery time from such procedures can be lengthy. This is especially true if cancerous tumours can be removed successfully and the cancer has not spread to any other parts of the body.