Everyone has heard of hemorrhoids. These are enlarged veins in the rectum that can bleed. An unpleasant thing. At the other end of the digestive tract, there are also varicose veins. They are found in the esophagus, usually in patients with liver cirrhosis.
The fact is that blood from the intestines does not always go to the liver. In some places she walks by. This is fine. But with cirrhosis, so much blood is drained through these workarounds that the veins dilate and can rupture.
There are usually fewer problems with bleeding hemorrhoids. But from bleeding from the dilated veins of the esophagus, you can easily die.
Many people have liver disease. Often these diseases lead to cirrhosis and varicose veins in the esophagus. Usually other causes for varicose veins in the esophagus are not even considered.
Bulimia
In fact, it is not necessary to have cirrhosis of the liver. Sometimes repeated vomiting causes the veins in the esophagus to dilate.
In people with bulimia, not only does the esophagus itself rupture during vomiting, but the veins in it can also greatly expand. The meaning is about the same as with hemorrhoids. People with constipation who struggle every day have hemorrhoids. And in people with bulimia, who vomit every day and strain during vomiting, varicose veins in the esophagus come out. These veins can then suddenly burst on their own.
It turns out that a patient with bulimia was treated, he stopped sticking two fingers in my mouth, but someday out of the blue for no reason, he may start bleeding. Unexpected and offensive.
This is not a very popular topic. Not every doctor associates veins in the esophagus with bulimia. But it does happen. And it's better to know about it.
We have already discussed consequences of purges. Here's another surprising consequence.
