What are esophageal varices?
A person with esophageal varices has abnormally enlarged veins in the lower esophagus and upper part of the stomach. Esophageal varices are usually caused by liver failure, cirrhosis, or other conditions that result in reduced blood flow through the liver. This causes blood to back-up into veins in the esophagus and stomach forming varices. The enlargement causes the walls of the veins to stretch and become fragile. Severe gastrointestinal bleeding can occur if the veins rupture.

What are the symptoms of esophageal varices?
Symptoms of esophageal varices may include difficulty swallowing, vomiting blood, blood in the stool, black stool, and red or maroon stool. Chronic blood loss may cause symptoms of anemia.

How does the doctor treat esophageal varices?
Treatment for esophageal varices involves reducing the risk of bleeding from the varices. Treatment for esophageal varices includes avoidance of alcohol, medications to reduce the risk of bleeding, and surgical procedures to stop variceal bleeding.