digestive disorders
Overview of Esophageal Obstructions
Introduction
The Throat and Esophagus (the hollow tube that leads from the throat to the stomach) can be narrowed or completely obstructed (blocked). In most cases, the cause is Progression of an injury to the esophagus Tumor growth Food and Bezoars None that can progress to obstruction can result from damage to the esophagus caused by the repeated backflow of acid from the stomach ( Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) ), usually over years. Obstruction can also be caused by damage to the esophagus that occurs after swallowing a are serious causes of narrowing, including Esophageal Cancer and Narrowing may also occur when something presses against (compresses) the outside of the esophagus. Compression can result from a number of causes, such as Enlargement of the left atrium of the heart Overview of Aortic Aneurysms and Aortic Dissection None An abnormally formed blood vessel ( Dysphagia Lusoria ) An abnormal thyroid gland A bony outgrowth from the spine Cancer (most commonly Lung Cancer ) Occasionally, the cause is hereditary (for example, Lower Esophageal Ring or an Because all these conditions decrease the diameter of the esophagus, people who have one of them usually have Difficulty Swallowing solid foods, particularly meat and bread. Difficulty in swallowing liquids develops much later, if at all. 