Esophageal varices

[Lanell]

Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus, which can cause major bleeding.

Esophageal varices are caused by high blood pressure in blood vessels in and around the liver (portal hypertension).
Esophageal varices usually cause no symptoms but can bleed spontaneously.
Bleeding can be very severe and cause shock or rarely death.
Doctors diagnose and treat esophageal varices using endoscopy.

Varices also can form in the upper part of the stomach near where the esophagus enters. These are called gastric varices and they cause similar symptoms.