Re: becky

[Guest guest]

Esophageal varices happen when one has portal hypertension.  The portal vein is

intended to empty blood from the spleen and intestinal tract into the liver for

processing.  When cirrhosis scars the vein to an adequate point so that the

scarring affects the blood flow, blood backs up into the smaller veins in the

esophegus, abdominal area and even sometimes the rectum.  These smaller veins

are not made to handle the increaed blood volume and the pressure asserted on

them, so they swell up and become basically varicose veins.  When these develop,

they can rupture and bleed and can actually cause sudden death.  A variceal

bleed is a medical emergency!  My late husband had esophageal varices and had

several banded, which just means a small band is placed around the vein and the

vein is constricted so as to make the vein die in order to eliminate the chance

it might rupture.  I have not heard of anyone having coughing associated with

varices, but I

wouldn't rule it out because your Dad might very well be the first.  It is

definitely something his doctor should be made aware of.

 

Warm Hugs...........

 

Di

http://auntdisexperimentallife.blogspot.com/

________________________________

To: livercirrhosissupport

Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 9:27:23 PM

Subject: Re: becky

 

That's good to know! That may not be my dad's problem in regards to his

coughing, but it is interesting that it can effect the esophagus... I wouldn

t have ever thought that.

Becky

-- Re: becky

Ed has never coughed from his esoughageal varices. I hope they find the

cause of it.

Love

Jill

We don't remember days, we remember moments.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take,but by the moments that take our

breath away.