K.N.O.W. Home Health - ESOPHAGEAL VARICES

ESOPHAGEAL VARICES

What Are Esophageal Varices?

Esophageal varices are swollen veins in the lower part of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. These veins swell because of high pressure in the veins that go to the liver.

What Causes Esophageal Varices?

The most common cause is serious liver disease, especially cirrhosis (when the liver becomes scarred and damaged).

When the liver is damaged, it can’t filter blood well. This makes blood build up and increases pressure in the veins around the liver. That extra pressure pushes blood into smaller veins in the esophagus, causing them to swell and stretch, which makes them weak.

Symptoms of Esophageal Varices

Most people do not feel anything until the veins begin to bleed.
Signs of bleeding varices include:

Throwing up blood (red or like coffee grounds)
Black or tarry stools
Feeling dizzy or faint
Pale skin
Fast heartbeat
Feeling confused or very tired

Medical Risks of Esophageal Varices

Esophageal varices are very serious and can become life-threatening if they bleed.

Major risks include:

Massive internal bleeding
Low blood pressure
Shock (a life-threatening condition where organs don’t get enough blood)
Death, if not treated quickly

This is why it’s very important to follow your doctor’s orders and take care of your health.

How Are They Treated?

Medicines to lower pressure in the veins
Endoscopy, where a doctor looks inside your throat and can tie off or band the swollen veins
Treating liver disease, to reduce the cause of the problem
Blood transfusion, if bleeding is severe
In very serious cases, surgery or special procedures to reroute blood flow

Special Diet and Lifestyle Changes

Do NOT drink alcohol – it makes liver damage worse
Eat soft foods to avoid scratching the esophagus
Avoid spicy or acidic foods (like tomato sauce, citrus, etc.)
Avoid salty foods – salt makes your body hold extra fluid
Don’t strain when going to the bathroom – ask your nurse for help if you’re constipated
Don’t lift heavy things – this increases pressure in your veins
Take your medications exactly as told

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call if you notice:

Dizziness or lightheadedness
Weakness
Black or tar-like stools
Nausea or vomiting that looks like coffee grounds
New swelling in your legs or belly
You feel more tired than usual

When to Call 9-1-1 or Go to the Emergency Room

Call 911 right away if:

You vomit bright red blood
You pass out or feel like you're going to faint
Your heartbeat is racing or pounding
You are short of breath
You feel confused, sleepy, or unable to stay awake
You have severe belly pain and sweating

📝 Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Read each sentence. Write True or False next to each number. If the sentence is False, correct it with the right information.

True or False: Esophageal varices are swollen veins in the stomach.
True or False: Liver damage can cause esophageal varices.
True or False: Esophageal varices can cause life-threatening bleeding.
True or False: You can always feel varices even if they’re not bleeding.
True or False: Throwing up bright red blood is a medical emergency.
True or False: It’s okay to drink small amounts of alcohol if you feel fine.
True or False: Cirrhosis is a common cause of esophageal varices.
True or False: Black, sticky poop can be a sign of bleeding inside.
True or False: Taking medicine as prescribed helps lower vein pressure.
True or False: Heavy lifting can increase the risk of bleeding.
True or False: A fast heartbeat and pale skin may mean blood loss.
True or False: You should eat spicy and crunchy foods with varices.
True or False: A doctor can use a camera to look at the esophagus.
True or False: You should avoid straining during bowel movements.
True or False: You should only call the nurse if you have belly pain.
True or False: Salt can make your body hold more fluid.
True or False: Bleeding from varices is always slow and not serious.
True or False: Endoscopy can help treat or stop the bleeding.
True or False: Vomiting coffee ground-looking stuff is a warning sign.
True or False: If you feel confused or very tired, call your nurse later in the week.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:
“Have you noticed any vomiting of blood or black, tarry stools that could mean bleeding in your esophagus?”

Activity Impact / Safety:
“Do you feel weak, dizzy, or lightheaded during daily activities that might make you unsafe when moving around?”

Treatment Adherence:
“Are you taking your prescribed medicines, such as beta blockers, as directed to help lower pressure in the veins of your esophagus?”

Preventive Measures:
“Are you avoiding alcohol and following your doctor’s advice about diet to help protect your liver and lower the risk of bleeding?”