Common Causes And Risk Factors For Esophageal Varices

Esophageal varices are enlarged, abnormally formed veins in the esophagus, which connects the stomach to the throat. Most commonly, the condition forms in individuals who have serious liver diseases. The condition develops when scarring or clotting in the liver causes normal blood flow to become blocked. To circumvent the blockages, the blood moves into small blood vessels that don't have the capacity to carry large amounts of blood. These vessels might leak or, in serious cases, rupture and cause life-threatening bleeding. Physicians might suspect the condition in patients with certain symptoms of liver disease.