Just found this sub and wanted to share my story. Typically, a gastrointestinal (GI) doctor will recommend it if a stricture in the esophagus is contributing to problems swallowing. This depends on the cause and extent of the narrowing. While no test is 100% accurate, and infrequently an EGD can miss abnormalities, rare . Your esophagus may be damaged and cause bleeding or an infection. Care Agreement Esophageal dilation, or stretching, is the preferred option in most cases. Endoscopy is safe. Esophageal dilation can treat conditions such as Esophageal cancer, Esophageal stricture, Achalasia, and GERD. You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal dilation is a medical procedure that helps to open the esophagus. No difficulty breathing, but it was extremely uncomfortable. Your healthcare provider will use a dilator (inflatable balloon or another tool that expands) to make the area wider. The long-term esophageal and respiratory complications of esophageal atresia are inter-related: many of these complications increase the risk of the other complications. . Effective at relieving esophageal stricture. The drug can cause minor side effects including abdominal pain, acid regurgitation and constipation. In rare cases, people who take the drug may suffer from serious side effects such as femur fractures, jaw problems and esophageal ulcers. Pain and soreness while swallowing can persist after the procedure. In a very small percentage of cases, the procedure may cause a perforation in the esophagus lining that requires surgery. . An important tip for eating after esophageal dilation is to take your time. It is important to recognize early signs of possible complications. For many people, one of the worries that comes with getting older is the risk of developing osteoporosis. Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a disease of the esophagus where there are increased numbers of cells called eosinophils, in the walls of the esophagus. It's a pretty simple procedure that can be performed in about 20 minutes, and it can provide some much needed relief for individuals dealing with esophageal narrowing. He or she may also do an endoscopy before or during your esophageal dilation. (PPIs), are considered the most effective medications for managing the effects of GERD. I had occasional trouble swallowing for a couple of years. You cannot pass stools or gas. I had the endoscopy and also had esophageal dilation 3 weeks ago and the lump feeling is still there. Esophageal dilation. Even with treatment, your esophagus may become narrow again. Dilation of the stricture, especially a malignant stricture, is more likely to increase the risk of perforation than it is to assist with stent deployment in any meaningful way. If you have chest pain, fever, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, bleeding or black bowel movements after the test, tell your doctor immediately. I know just how you feel. My story: Esophageal stricture, dilation, and Flovent. Dilation causes some scarring which may increase the difficulty of Heller myotomy if this is needed later. The feeling is terrible; it's difficult to describe to other people. Yes, I am experiencing the same symptoms. My doctor became angry when I called him to complain. For those who have heart problems, fever, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, bleeding or black bowel movements following the test, tell the doctor immediately. You are sick to your stomach or cannot drink fluids. Esophagus stretching, also known as esophageal dilation, is a procedure that helps to widen your esophagus to help food pass through the tube more easily. What type of doctor performs esophageal dilation? You have new or more blood in your stools. Though you may be impatient to get back to your regular diet, take care not to rush. Esophageal dilation is a procedure that allows your doctor to dilate, or stretch, a narrowed area of your esophagus [swallowing. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or Health Link at 811 if: Your throat still hurts after a day or two. Esophageal dilation is usually done as an outpatient procedure. You may need another surgery to repair the damage. Esophageal dilation is a medical procedure utilizing a scope to stretch (or dilate) sections of the esophagus that have narrowed a condition known as a stricture. In today's blog, [] In general, dilation of a stricture before placing the stent is not required. There are also possible risks of side effects from sedatives. Risks and possible complications for esophageal dilation include: Infection A tear or hole in the esophagus lining, causing bleeding and possibly needing surgery to fix Risks of anesthesia Follow-up You may need to have the procedure repeated one or more times. Hope it helps someone. Awareness of the complications associated with dilation permits early recognition and reduces morbidity and mortality. Every few months while eating something tough like steak or broccoli. Some of these risks include: Incorrect administration of anesthesia Infection Pain While you need to take these risks seriously, it's important to note that these side effects are not common. One 2016 study, for example, examined 164 patients who underwent esophageal dilation for EoE a combined total of 486 times. Risks and complications with esophageal dilation are extremely rare. Advances in endoscopic equipment and dilators have improved the safety of esophageal dilation [ 1 ], but esophageal dilation may lead to complications even in the most experienced hands. A variety of guide wires can be used for esophageal stent placement. There are also probable risks of unwanted effects from sedatives. Patient should identify early signs of possible difficulties. Esophageal dilation is a procedure to widen a narrow part of your esophagus. Are There Side Effects and/or Risks to an Esophageal Dilation? These . During the procedure, saliva or stomach fluid may get into your lungs and cause pneumonia. Esophageal dilation is best performed by a gastroenterologist who specializes in achalasia and who has performed many esophageal dilations because there is a risk of perforating the esophagus. Esophageal dilation is the careful stretching of the wall of the esophagus in order to provide relief from narrow areas in your esophagus that can cause difficulty swallowing. Aside from bruising and soreness afterward, the most common complication is a tear in the lining of the esophagus, leading to bleeding. . If you have pain or difficulty when swallowing food, contact Gastroenterology Associates today. Eosinophilic Esophagitis. You should seek medical attention if you notice any of the following after the esophageal dilation: Difficulty breathing Fever Chest pain Bloody or black bowel movements 2 The most dangerous complication is the risk for perforation, or a hole in the esophagus. An esophageal dilation has the following benefits: Easy, quick recovery Can resume eating, drinking, and other activities quickly Little discomfort or pain Effective at relieving esophageal stricture Side effects are usually minimal (such as a sore throat) One procedure is usually all that's needed Will Repeat Dilations be Necessary? Side effects are usually minimal (such as a sore throat) One procedure is usually all that's needed. What are the risks of esophageal dilation?