Esophageal varix is characterized by an enlarged and distended vein or artery commonly occurring in distal vessels of the esophagus. Etiologies of the disease are commonly associated to chronic obstruction of esophageal drainage systems, pathological increased of blood pressure in the area and increase of mechanical trauma brought by extensive physical activities (e. g. vomiting, coughing, etc. ).
Esophageal varices predispose series of vascular impairments, such as bleeding in the digestive track and disruption of nutritional intake, and can eventually result to major vascular ailments. b. Description of Health Alteration Esophageal varices are common health alterations among patients with portal vein anomalies (e. g. portal hypertension, vascular obstruction, etc. ). According to Sox, Blatt and Higgins et al. (2007), esophageal varices are often associated with the complications dealt by cirrhosis (e. g. hepatomegaly, portal vein obstruction, hypertension, etc.
) (p. 291). Varices are usually caused by the chronic weakening of veins leading to distention and eventually the rupture of blood vessel, which commonly cause bleeding in the area (Escott-Stump, 2008 p. 368).
Esophageal varices commonly form in the lower sections of esophagus (McPhee, Papadakis and Tierney, 2007 p. 509). As supported by Porth (2005), the rupture of varix further complicates for patients with impaired hepatic coagulation system and decreased platelet levels brought by splenomegaly, which may potentially cause massive and fatal hemorrhage (p. 936).