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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffAbout one-third of people with esophageal varices will develop bleeding. The signs and symptoms of esophageal bleeding range from mild to severe and include:
- Vomiting blood
- Black, tarry or bloody stools
- Decreased urination from unusually low blood pressure
- Excessive thirst
- Lightheadedness
- Shock, in severe cases
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you develop signs and symptoms of liver disease, such as:
- Weight loss
- Small, red spider veins under your skin or easy bruising
- Weakness
- Fatigue
- Yellowing of your skin and eyes and dark, cola-colored urine
- The buildup of fluid in your abdominal cavity (ascites)
- Itching of your hands and feet and eventually of your entire body
- Swelling of your legs and feet from retained fluid (edema)
- Mental confusion, such as forgetfulness or trouble concentrating (encephalopathy)
When it's an emergency
If you've been diagnosed with esophageal varices and experience bloody vomit or stools, call 911 or your local emergency services right away. These may indicate that esophageal varices have ruptured — a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical care.
- Dite P, et al. World Gastroenterology Organisation Practice Guidelines: Esophageal Varices. World Gastroenterology Organisation. http://www.worldgastroenterology.org/assets/downloads/en/pdf/guidelines/18_treatment_e_varices_en.pdf. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Sanyal, AJ. General principles of the management of variceal hemorrhage. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Runyon, BA. Patient information: Screening for esophageal varices. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Goff JS. Endoscopic variceal ligation. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Portal hypertension. Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. http://www.merck.com/mmhe/print/sec10/ch135/ch135d.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Sanyal, AJ. Prediction of variceal hemorrhage. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Sanyal, AJ. Treatment of active variceal hemorrhage. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Sanyal, AJ. Primary prophylaxis against variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 21, 2008.
- Sanyal, AJ. Prevention of recurrent variceal hemorrhage in patients with cirrhosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 20, 2008.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 24, 2008.
