Stenosis

Causes, signs and symptoms of stenosis

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Definition of stenosis

Stenosis called any pathological narrowing of the tubular organs or blood vessels, including holes in the heart. Narrowing or stricture (congenital or acquired narrowing of the urethra), in the language of physicians, can be observed for a long time and by itself it does not pass.

The reasons for the development of stenosis

Causes of stenosis are not only congenital anomalies, the disease may develop as a result of mechanical action (the so-called organic stenosis), when there is compression of vessels or hollow organs by the tumor, disturbed metabolism. Stenosis can be a result of injury and inflammatory diseases. Stenosis of the arteries is most often the result of thrombosis or atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels, functional or nonorganic stenosis develops as a result of spasm of smooth muscles.

Between organic and inorganic stenosis of the few differences, because functionally, spastic processes sooner or later lead to organic narrowing of the opening (pyloric stenosis, hypertension) is due to hypertrophy of the elements which participate in the reduction and give the walls of organs or vessels the elastic properties (smooth muscle, elastic fibers).

Degenerative form of the stenosis develops mainly in the elderly, as a result of the natural aging. The consequences of a stenosis depend on the location, age and nature of the process leading to stenosis.

Signs and symptoms of stenosis development

Signs and symptoms of stenosis and appear different depending on in what body or vessels develops structure.

Artery stenosis are often asymptomatic. May cause transient ischemic attacks in the form of unilateral deterioration of vision, speech, motor functions. The attack usually lasts no more than 20 minutes and within the hour are all signs of illness.

Laryngeal stenosis may develop in the acute and in the chronic form. For acute form is characterized by sudden onset with shortness of breath, often in the dark. In the chronic form growing over a long period of time, the patient's condition slowly deteriorates. Is accompanied by wheezing, a dry persistent cough. There is hoarseness, pale skin with a bluish tinge.

Aortic stenosis in the early stages does not have clinical manifestations, with the development of the patient can happen fainting, appearsdizziness when bending, standing, shortness of breath. There is swelling and in severe cases there are attacks of breathlessness.

Mitral stenosis with low degree has no characteristic symptoms, with more severe symptoms observed bruising nasolabial triangle, the nail plates. In addition, there are signs of heart failure. Mitral stenosis in most cases is the result of a congenital malformation of the heart valve and is detectable at a very early age, ideally in their first year of life of children.

Stenosis of the stomach and 12 duodenal ulcer is most often localized in the pylorus (where the stomach moves into the 12-duodenum). Develops gradually, in 3 stages. Characteristic symptoms: sour taste in the mouth, the appearance of belching, the feeling of not digesting food. With further increase of stenosis there is a feeling of fullness of the stomach and vomiting after eating, which brings relief. Painful sensations arise even after taking small quantities of food. Over time, the vomiting becomes more frequent and the patient in danger of depletion.

Stenosis of the esophagus accompany discomfort when taking hard food, vomiting, belching, heartburn.

Diagnosis of stenosis

Diagnostic methods stenosis also depend on its localization:

· Stenosis of the arteries can be determined by listening to the carotid artery in the usual stethoscope, as additional techniques are ultrasound and magnetic resonance angiography;

· Stenosis of the mouth of the aorta diagnosed by electrocardiogram, x-ray, cardiac catheterization;

· Endoscopic diagnostic methods, such as x-ray, contrast agents, esophagoscopy, gastroduodenoscopy reveal the stenosis of the esophagus and pylorus;

· Excretory urography, x-rays from radioisotopes, kidney scans and angiography x-ray contrast agent are appointed in cases of suspected renal artery stenosis;

· To establish the diagnosis "stenosis of larynx" is quite simple methods – auscultation (listening) and examination of the patient and a thorough medical history.

Treatment of stenosis

In the majority of cases, the treatment of the stenosis is performed using surgical intervention.Medication is effective very rarely, mostly it is used at stenosis of larynx and stenosis of the pylorus of the stomach in the postoperative period. In any case, at the slightest discomfort overall condition of the body it is best to seek qualified medical help.