Severe consequences for a person can result in a chemical burn of the stomach, the treatment of which depends on the degree of damage to the walls of the digestive organ and the type of irritant. In case of a problem, you need to act quickly to minimize possible risks.
Can cause damage to the tissues of the stomach:
- household chemicals;
- a solution of potassium permanganate in a strong concentration;
- alcohol;
- various types of acids: acetic, chloride, sulfate.
The main consequences of a burn are damage to the structure of the walls of the digestive organ and their necrosis. Aggressive components cause the greatest harm to the narrow parts of the digestive system: the pyloric and cardiac zones.
Damage to a greater extent falls on the esophagus during acid poisoning, since the tissues of the stomach are more resistant to this environment. Alkali poisoning has a negative effect primarily on the stomach, causing damage to the deep tissues of the organ.
The degree of damage to the walls depends on the fullness of the stomach. In the presence of food fragments in it, a chemical burn appears less. Over time, poisoning causes scarring, which leads to obstruction of the digestive tract. In severe cases, the walls of the stomach are completely deformed, leading the patient to dehydration and dystrophic changes. Intoxication affects the general condition of the body: the urinary system, liver and adrenal glands suffer.
Chemical burns are more common in children who inadvertently ingest a hazardous liquid. The prognosis for the recovery of the victim depends on the timely provision of first aid.
- In case of poisoning with concentrated acid, gastric lavage is carried out using an alkali solution. These measures prevent the entry of hazardous substances into the deep tissues of the digestive tract. To prepare a solution of 1 tsp. soda is dissolved in 1 liter of boiled water and taken 500 ml at a time.
- Alkalis cause more serious damage to the stomach walls. Hydrochloric acid, produced in the digestive organ, neutralizes only part of the alkaline components. To alleviate the condition, the patient is washed with acidic solutions. To do this, a few drops of acetic or citric acid are dissolved in 500 ml of boiled water.
- A burn with food vinegar (6-9%) negatively affects the performance of the kidneys and liver. When taking 50 ml of liquid, the destruction of red blood cells in the body occurs. Table vinegar, taken in a volume of more than 200 ml, is fatal.
- Reception of vinegar essence (70%). In most cases, it leads to the death of a person, due to the developed traumatic shock. Even with a successful outcome, full recovery from such a burn is impossible. To normalize life, long-term surgical and medical treatment will be required.
Important! In case of poisoning with an acetic solution, the victim is washed with an alkaline composition or cold milk. After that, an ambulance is called, and the patient is provided with peace. Vomiting in this case is not recommended, so as not to provoke damage to other parts of the digestive tract.
In 65% of cases, a chemical burn of the stomach is diagnosed in children. The reason for this condition is the carelessness of parents who leave hazardous substances in a conspicuous place.
In childhood, chemical poisoning is especially dangerous. The body reacts with swelling of the lungs and larynx, which is fatal. In children, a chemical burn of the stomach requires treatment in a hospital, regardless of the severity of the poisoning.
Babies are washed out the stomach and waiting for the arrival of an ambulance. If a child has a spasm of the esophagus, then detoxification measures are carried out using a probe.
The main goal of therapy is to minimize the impact of harmful components on the walls of the digestive organ and reduce the intensity of symptoms of poisoning. For this, patients are prescribed:
- painkillers;
- means for relieving spasm of the esophagus;
- drugs that normalize the function of the cardiovascular and urinary systems;
- means for relieving traumatic shock in a patient.
A 1st degree chemical burn in adults can be treated at home. In this case, the main therapeutic measures are gastric lavage and taking drugs that promote the regeneration of damaged tissues. To prevent the development of a bacterial infection, the gastroenterologist prescribes antibacterial drugs and corticosteroids to patients.
The drug treatment regimen is compiled only by a specialist. The doctor determines the dosage of drugs for each specific case of poisoning and the optimal duration of treatment.
After a mild chemical burn, a person should consume plenty of clean, cool water. The food must also be appropriate. In the rehabilitation period, they consume liquid, crushed food at room temperature. On average, the recovery process after mild chemical burns ranges from 3 months to 1.5 years.
Adult gastric lavage with a probe is performed with spasms of the esophagus. Before this, anesthesia of the pharynx and oral cavity is performed. Therapy of a chemical burn in a hospital is complex:
- to anesthetize the damaged tissues of the stomach, the patient is prescribed Analgin, Morphine;
- Atropine is used to eliminate spasm of the esophagus;
- Relanium is used to relieve psychological stress;
- to prevent a state of shock, saline solutions or Prednisolone are administered intravenously;
- to prevent scarring of damaged walls, adrenal cortex agents are injected intramuscularly;
- to prevent the spread of infection to the affected foci, antibacterial agents are used - Ampiox, Cefamezin.
In the first 5-7 days after poisoning, patients are advised to take vaseline oil orally to accelerate the regeneration of damaged areas. Food intake, even liquid, is excluded for several days. X-rays and endoscopy immediately after a burn are also prohibited.
In the hospital, poisoned people are prescribed bougienage. The procedure avoids narrowing of the esophagus. Bougienage is performed on the 5th-7th day of therapy and continues until the restoration of the mucous membranes.
The success of recovery depends on several factors:
- the amount of the substance drunk;
- acidity of the solution (liquids with a pH of more than 12 and less than 2 cause severe burns);
- timeliness of emergency measures.
With chemical poisoning of the 3rd degree, mortality increases to 60%. Light stages have a more favorable prognosis for survival - up to 90%.
Folk recipes for chemical burns are used for mild forms of poisoning or in the rehabilitation period after the main therapeutic measures. Natural remedies are taken only with the consent of the doctor.
To supplement medical treatment, the following are commonly used:
- Sea buckthorn oil. Promotes the regeneration of damaged tissues. Take 30 ml daily on an empty stomach.
- Chamomile decoction. Prevents complications after damage to the walls of the stomach. It has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action.
- Ginger drink. Prepared from the roots of the plant, which are carefully crushed and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The drug is drunk in the morning.
- Milk. In case of damage to the digestive tract, take 3 times a day, 200 ml chilled.
A chemical burn is a serious injury that can lead to death. To minimize complications, it is necessary to provide first aid to the victim and call an ambulance. A further treatment plan is drawn up by a specialist.
Damage to the esophagus as a result of exposure to liquids with high temperatures, alkalis and acids, lead to the development of burns of the esophagus. Such conditions occupy an important place in the structure of injuries in the population and lead to serious conditions, the need for long-term treatment and a serious decrease in the quality of life. In this regard, understanding the causes of the onset of the disease, knowledge of the main symptoms and methods of treatment, is necessary for every person.
It looks like a burn of the esophagus during esophagoscopy
Causes
Burns of the esophagus occur as a result of exposure to the wall of the organ of a number of chemicals, or elevated temperature. This condition may occur in the following cases:
- Damage to the mucous membrane as a result of contact with acids or alkalis. Most often occurs in case of poisoning at work, suicidal attempts and the mistaken use of these aggressive liquids. Acids and alkalis in a short period of time damage the wall of the esophagus and lead to damage of varying severity - from an inflammatory reaction to perforation of the wall with the development of mediastinitis and the development of bleeding. Sometimes, similar damage can be obtained with hydrogen peroxide. Burning the esophagus with acid leads to the formation of a hard crust, while burning with alkali often leads to softening and rupture of the wall. Chemical burns of the esophagus are the most common type of burns of this organ.
- Damage to the lining of the organ can occur as a result of a burn of the esophagus with a liquid or food at a high temperature. You can burn the esophagus with excessively hot tea, other drinks, or simply boiling water. Thermal burn of the esophagus is less common than the first option and leads to inflammation and necrosis in the upper esophagus.
Thermal burns of the esophagus can occur when drinking hot drinks
As a rule, damage to the esophagus by aggressive fluids is the result of accidents!
general information
Ingestion of chemically aggressive liquids or liquids with elevated temperature into the esophagus leads to the development of the following processes:
- Acute inflammation, which is simple esophagitis. As a rule, such a condition does not require specific treatment and, if a sparing diet is observed, it disappears on its own without any complications.
- Ulceration of the wall with the formation of an ulcer defect of various depths (from the inner epithelial layer to the outer shell). Superficial ulcers are capable of self-healing without surgical operations, and deeper defects require hospitalization of the patient and the provision of prompt assistance in connection with the possible development of severe complications: bleeding from the esophageal vessels, perforation of the wall with the development of mediastinitis, adhesions between the walls and narrowing of the lumen of the organ up to its complete absence.
- When caustic alkalis enter the esophagus, a rapid development of perforation without the stage of ulceration is possible. In these cases, the patient needs emergency surgical care.
Main manifestations
Symptoms of burns of the esophagus can be divided into two large groups: local and general, characterized by the peculiarity of their manifestations.
Local symptoms
At the first moment of the burn, severe pain appears
The esophagus contains a lot of nerve fibers, and therefore any damage to its wall leads to severe pain. Most often, it is common in nature with the main localization in the retrosternal region with the transition to the neck and upper abdomen. In addition, visible damage and burns on the lips and on the skin of the face can be noted from the external signs of poisoning.
Part of the aggressive fluid always enters the larynx, which leads to damage to the vocal cords. A similar situation is manifested by hoarseness and a change in the person's voice. Swelling of soft tissues is possible, leading to a violation of the swallowing process and difficulty in breathing with symptoms of shortness of breath.
In rare cases, a spasm of the muscles of the esophagus may occur, which leads to an even greater increase in pain and the appearance of colic behind the sternum.
General manifestations
In addition to local pain and other symptoms, the patient begins to experience developing intoxication of the body associated with the accumulation of toxins and decay products of esophageal tissues in the body. The patient has a rise in body temperature, general weakness, nausea and headache. With severe intoxication, liver and kidney failure may occur, which directly threaten the life of the patient.
According to clinical symptoms, three degrees of severity of burns are distinguished:
- Mild severity occurs when the surface epithelium is damaged. The mucous membrane becomes red, edematous and more easily injured. A similar condition resolves on its own within one to two weeks, with a sparing diet.
- The average severity is associated with the destruction of the mucous membrane and the muscle layer that lies behind it. In addition to direct damage, there is a strong edema that can completely close the lumen of the organ. Ulcers form in the esophagus, healing up to one month during treatment.
- In severe severity, all layers of the wall are affected, and even adjacent organs. Intoxication and inflammatory syndromes are clearly expressed, infection may be attached. Narrowing and scarring form in the esophagus, it can become shorter or completely impassable for solid and liquid food. The process of complete healing stretches to several months or even years.
Burns vary in severity
An esophageal burn is a serious condition that requires immediate hospitalization and treatment.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is not difficult to make a correct diagnosis of a burn of the esophagus. As a rule, the doctor immediately understands what he is dealing with after questioning the patient or people close to him. The fact of taking an aggressive liquid immediately explains all the symptoms. Additional consultation with the surgeon makes it possible to identify the type of damaging agent, its amount and concentration, as well as to assess the existing damage and determine further tactics.
Intensive therapy and stabilization of the patient's condition allow for additional research methods. The "gold standard" in the diagnosis of a burn of the esophagus is an endoscopic examination, which allows the doctor to examine the esophagus, determine the volume and localization of damage. In some cases, the risk of complications can also be assessed. Endoscopy also allows you to evaluate the dynamics of recovery during treatment, as it is a simple, cheap and informative method of examination.
In addition, in some cases, X-ray examination of the esophagus with a contrast agent is used. At the same time, the contours of the esophagus, wall defects, as well as narrowing and perforation in the organ are well visualized.
Treatment of the disease
Treatment of burns of the esophagus is a difficult task that requires an integrated approach and a combination of both surgical and therapeutic methods. The burnt organ regenerates for a long time, replacing the damage sites.
First aid
First aid for burns of the esophagus should be provided to all patients before hospitalization in the intensive care unit of the hospital. What to do with the development of this condition? First aid consists of thoroughly rinsing the mouth with ordinary clean water to remove and neutralize the aggressive agent, as well as taking two glasses of milk, which also do an excellent job of neutralizing. In no case do not try to induce vomiting in the patient in order to clear the stomach of acids, alkalis or other substances using a large volume of water. As a result of such an attempt, a rupture of the esophagus may occur, which will significantly worsen the person's chances of recovery.
First aid for a chemical burn of the esophagus should be provided quickly, preferably in the process of transporting the patient to the hospital or at the same time as calling an ambulance. Emergency care is an essential component of successful and effective treatment, especially for chemical burns.
Treatment in the hospital
Treatment of a burn of the esophagus must necessarily be comprehensive and include the following steps:
- Adequate pain relief with the use of narcotic analgesics - Promedol, Morphine, Tramadol and other drugs.
- Antispasmodic therapy with Atropine to relax the muscular wall of the organ.
- Prevention of the development of pain shock with the help of Prednisolone, Reopoliglyukin and other drugs.
- Prevention of bacterial infection consists in the use of antibacterial drugs - Amoxicillin, cephalosporins, Amoxiclav and others.
- With the development of renal or hepatic insufficiency, the appropriate groups of drugs are used.
Carrying out infusion therapy
In the first week after the burn, vegetable oils are used to prevent further ulceration of the mucous membrane. These days they do not even take liquid food. Used parenteral nutrition. In severe cases with the development of esophageal stenosis and other complications, a gastrostomy is recommended to provide nutrition. As a rule, X-ray and endoscopic methods cannot be used in the first days due to the possibility of developing side effects from these procedures and worsening the general condition of the patient.
What is the most effective treatment method? It is very difficult to give one answer to this question - it is necessary to treat it comprehensively. In order to prevent and treat narrowing of the esophagus, bougienage is used, which consists in the gradual expansion of the esophagus using special elastic bougie of various diameters. This manipulation is carried out by the surgeon, starting from the second week after receiving the burn, and continues for several months after the complete healing of mucosal defects.
In no case do not self-medicate - this will only worsen the results and can lead to serious complications, even death.
Features of burns in childhood
Children are much more likely to suffer at an early age. Nearly half of all esophageal burns in children occur before the age of seven. First of all, this is due to the poor organization of the baby's life. Parents can leave dangerous liquids (hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid) out of reach of their child, and children rarely attach importance to what they try to put in their mouths. In addition to these products, very often children get burns as a result of taking ammonia or various aggressive cleaning products.
Burns of the esophagus in children, as a rule, are severe with symptoms of severe intoxication. Children are always subject to hospitalization and monitoring of the condition. Very often, to prevent stenosis, in childhood, bougienage with elastic dilators is used, as well as various plastic surgeries on the esophagus. Surgery allows you to cope even with severe defects in the wall of the esophagus.
Prevention of burns of the esophagus
Household chemicals should be kept out of the reach of children.
The most important cause of burns of the esophagus, especially in childhood, is drinking inappropriate aggressive liquids and solutions. In this regard, the most important point in the prevention of such injuries is the organization of proper storage and access to such fluids. All household chemicals, vinegar essence, ammonia must be stored out of the reach of children. It is necessary to check and update the labeling on all containers with solutions, especially aggressive ones.
A burn of the esophagus with alcohol is prevented by limiting its use, and even better by completely refusing to drink alcohol. It must be remembered that alcoholic beverages are the strongest damaging agents that can cause ulceration on the mucous membranes of even an adult. Any alcohol-containing product can burn the inner lining of the digestive tract.
For children, talking about safety rules is essential. Such conversations are recommended to be carried out in the form of educational games. With this simple measure, most childhood injuries can be prevented.
A burn of the esophagus is a traumatic lesion caused by exposure to various aggressive factors that damage the cells of the mucous membrane and other layers of its walls. Usually, a significant area of the walls of the esophagus is affected during a burn, this is a severe injury that can lead to a person's disability.
In the structure of all burns of the esophagus, the leading place is occupied by a chemical burn.
This type of injury takes up to 70% of all cases, while such a burn of the esophagus in a child is more often observed, caused by accidental ingestion of aggressive chemical compounds.
A burn is an excessive effect of various environmental factors on cells, organs or tissues. At the same time, their significant damage develops, followed by death.
As necrosis develops, protective factors of immunity are activated, which maximally delimit the area of damage from healthy tissues, and an inflammatory process begins to occur in it. A burn of the esophagus leads to pathological changes in its tissues, which proceed in several stages:
Alteration. Direct damage to the cells and tissues of the esophagus.
Necrosis and inflammation. In the burn area, edema and tissue inflammation develop with their possible rejection (depending on the severity of the burn).
Granulation(formation of young cells in the area of necrosis) and the formation of connective tissue scars.
Cell damage can be caused by various environmental factors. With regard to the causative (etiological) factor, there are several types of burns of the esophagus:
Chemical burn of the esophagus. Damage (alteration) of the cells of the mucous membrane and other layers of the esophageal wall causes various aggressive (caustic) chemicals to enter it. The most common burns of the esophagus are vinegar (taken by mistake by adults or children), alkali (this liquid can be drunk by mistake or with the intent of suicide), and alcohol.
Thermal burn of the esophagus. Damage to tissues and their death provokes the intake of very hot food or liquid (temperature above + 55 ° C), such burns take the 2nd place in frequency.
Radiation burn of the esophagus. Its development provokes the impact on the body of ionizing radiation (X-rays, radiation). Sometimes such a burn can be accompanied by other types of damaging effects on the esophagus (more often with a thermal burn).
Knowing the species according to the damaging factor that led to its development helps to choose the right measures in order to adequately provide first aid for burns of the esophagus.
Symptoms of a burn of the esophagus
If there is a burn of the esophagus, the symptoms are mostly local. The main manifestation is severe pain behind the sternum in the area of the esophagus, which develops immediately after exposure to a damaging factor. The nature of the pain and other signs depend on the type of burn.
chemical burn
Chemical burns of the esophagus, caused by exposure to aggressive chemical compounds on its tissues, is the most common. It mainly occurs in cases of erroneous intake of liquid caustic substances. Consider the most common and severe types of chemical burns.
Burn of the esophagus with vinegar essence
It is characterized by sharp pain in the oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus. In parallel, dysphagia (swallowing disorder) develops, which lasts for several days (usually from 2 to 14 days). This type of burn does not lead to the formation of coarse connective tissue scars and late dysphagia. The burn proceeds more easily with vinegar, in which the concentration of acetic acid is much lower.
Burning the esophagus with acid
It develops as a result of the erroneous use of hydrochloric or nitric acid, less often when attempting suicide. The symptomatology has certain similarities with a burn with vinegar essence, but the severity of structural changes in the tissues is higher. When cells are damaged and die under the influence of acid, a scab forms on the surface of the mucosa, which prevents the further spread of acid into the deeper layers of the esophageal wall. With an extensive burn, connective tissue scars can form in the area of physiological constrictions and sphincters of the esophagus.
Burn of the esophagus with alkali
The most severe type of burn, since with necrosis of mucosal cells, a scab (a crust consisting of dead cells) does not form on its surface, which creates conditions for deeper penetration of alkali, up to the formation of a through hole in the wall of the esophagus. Such a burn often occurs when using alkali by mistake or when trying to commit suicide.
Immediately after alkali enters the esophagus, intense pain develops, shortness of breath (a consequence of swelling of the esophageal tissues, which can compress the trachea and narrow its lumen), pain in the oral cavity and pharynx. Then, within a week, pain and dysphagia subside a little (imaginary well-being), then within a month strictures form, leading to severe violations of swallowing and motor-evacuation function of the esophagus.
Burning the esophagus with alcohol
This type of burn is also quite common, it is associated with the use of very strong alcoholic beverages or their surrogates. Such a burn can be acute (use of a concentrated alcohol solution) or chronic (long-term systematic use of alcohol).
In general, alcohol burns are characterized by a relatively benign course, pain of moderate intensity, and the absence of connective tissue strictures. Chronic alcohol burns can lead to erosive esophagitis with the formation of defects (erosions) in its mucosa.
Burning the esophagus with gastric juice
It is a type of acid burn. It develops when the contents of the stomach, which has hydrochloric acid, enter the lower esophagus with insufficiency of the lower esophageal sphincter (esophageal reflux disease). Such burns are chronic, leading to the development of heartburn (burning behind the sternum), formation and erosion with their subsequent transition to connective tissue scars.
Chemical burns of the esophagus in children occur most often before the age of 10 years and are the result of the mistaken use of various caustic chemical compounds left unattended by adults.
Thermal burn
It develops as a result of damage to the mucous membrane and other layers of the esophageal wall when exposed to excessively high temperatures (over +55 ° C).
Most often, a burn of the esophagus develops with food or drinks that are consumed in a hurry and have a high temperature.
It is characterized by the appearance of a sharp pain behind the sternum, in the region of the oral cavity and pharynx, which then moves to the region of the stomach. Such a burn is characterized by a severe course with necrosis of a large area of tissues and the addition of a bacterial infection with the development of various purulent complications.
Radiation burn
The rarest form of esophageal burn. Its development is associated with exposure to ionizing radiation (X-rays, radiation). It is characterized by the gradual development of burn symptoms - pain, impaired swallowing. Usually such a burn is accompanied by damage to other organs and tissues of the body. At the same time, connective tissue scars are gradually formed in the esophagus with a violation of the normal passage of food during swallowing.
Degrees of esophageal burn
Regardless of the cause of the burn, there are 3 degrees of severity of its development, which include:
1 degree- only the mucous membrane is damaged, the easiest degree of damage to the esophagus during a burn.
2 degree- damage and necrosis affect the mucosa and submucosa up to the muscular layer of the esophagus.
3 degree- the most severe degree, in which necrosis and inflammation affects all layers of the esophageal wall with a high risk of its perforation (perforation).
Esophageal burn treatment
In the event of a burn, on the basis of symptoms and finding out information about the nature of the damaging factor, urgent therapeutic measures begin immediately.
First aid for burns of the esophagus
Treatment of a burn of the esophagus includes the provision of emergency care, followed by treatment of the consequences and prevention of the development of complications. Emergency care for a burn of the esophagus consists in the speedy neutralization and elimination of the impact of the damaging factor. To do this, the following activities are carried out:
- First aid for chemical burn consists in washing the esophagus with a weak solution of vinegar for an alkali burn, a solution of soda for an acid burn (including acetic essence) and washing with a large amount of water or milk for a burn of unclear etiology.
- First aid for thermal burn consists in washing the esophagus with cool water to quickly reduce the temperature in its tissues.
- Radiation burn requires the speedy removal of a person from the area of impact of ionizing radiation.
Preparations for burns of the esophagus
Further measures aimed at resolving the issue of how to treat a burn of the esophagus also depend on its cause.
Chemical burn of the esophagus. Treatment involves the use of astringents that form a protective film over the area of mucosal injury. Detoxification therapy is also mandatory - intravenous drip administration of Reosorbilact, Reopoliglyukin. In parallel, symptomatic therapy is carried out, aimed at reducing the severity of pain. In the event that there is a burn of the esophagus with alcohol, treatment also includes means for its neutralization of alcohol and detoxification measures.
Burning the esophagus with hot food. Treatment also includes detoxification measures with the obligatory addition of antibiotics to prevent purulent complications.
Diet for burns of the esophagus
Regardless of the cause of the burn of the esophagus, dietary recommendations must be followed. They include the frequent ingestion of liquid foods in small quantities, with the obligatory exclusion of fried, fatty, hard, hot or cold foods.
Alcohol intake and smoking are excluded, which can enhance the processes of damage to the tissues of the esophagus and slow down their regeneration.
During the first day after the burn, diet 0 is prescribed, in which food is not taken at all. Essential nutrients (glucose, vitamins, amino acids) are administered intravenously.
After the restoration of the tissues of the esophagus and the development of connective tissue strictures, their surgical dissection or bougienage (expansion of the lumen) of the esophagus is subsequently performed.
Prevention of burns of the esophagus is careful attention to what will be eaten or drunk.
A burn of the esophagus is damage to its tissues, which has arisen due to the influence of chemical, thermal and some other fairly aggressive agents. According to experts, at least 70% of patients with the presented problem are children. Given the high criticality and danger of such burns for all segments of the population, it is very important to take care not only of the causes and symptoms, but also of what exactly the treatment should be, including using folk remedies.
Causes and symptoms of burns of the esophagus
The most common type of injury associated with the esophagus area are chemical burns. Such damage can be triggered by the following components:
- concentrated acid, in particular acetic, hydrochloric or sulfuric;
- certain types of alkali, namely caustic soda, caustic soda, and even sodium hydroxide;
- other components, the list of which contains ethyl, phenol, iodine, ammonia. We can also talk about such compositions that are widely used in everyday life, such as silicate glue, potassium permanganate, or, for example, hydrogen peroxide.
The reasons for the use of such aggressive chemical components can be very diverse. It should only be noted that the vast majority of patients with burns of the esophagus and symptoms of the presented condition will be children from one to 10 years old. Among adults, such aggressive damage directly to the region of the esophagus in 50% of cases is associated with accidents. Speaking of this, experts pay attention to the use of so-called alcohol surrogates or caustic components. They can be used both in a state of intoxication, and as a result of inattention.
Other examples of such burns are associated with a suicide attempt. The use of aggressive formulations specifically for suicidal purposes is much more typical for females. Thermal and radiation burns associated with the esophagus are rare.
A chemical burn of the esophagus, being a pathological condition, is characterized by more than pronounced symptoms, which simply cannot be ignored. First of all, note the formation of significant pain in the course of the spread of burns. Speaking of this, they mean the oral cavity, throat, as well as the area behind the sternum and in the epigastrium. It is this distribution algorithm that is associated with the fact that the damaging component penetrates from the esophagus into the stomach, provoking a specific chemical gastritis.
Aggravated damage to tissue structures, called corrosive esophagitis, leads to their significant swelling. So, first of all, the lips and tongue will swell, after which the process will begin to spread to the pharynx and further along the esophagus. Speaking about the symptoms, the following characteristic features are noted:
- due to swelling of the pharynx and larynx, aggravated shortness of breath begins - one that accompanies a person even at rest;
- damage to the vocal cords quickly affects the development of hoarseness;
- in the area of the esophagus, the most significant changes appear in the areas of the so-called physiological constrictions;
- at the initial stage, this leads to dysphagia (destabilization of the swallowing process). In the future, of course, in the absence of qualified treatment, we are talking about the development of vomiting.
In vomit, it will be possible to independently identify not only blood clots, but also certain fragments of the mucous membrane of the tube adjacent to the esophagus. Chemical burns of the esophagus of the third degree may well lead to serious violations of the respiratory process. The same may apply to profuse bleeding, as well as the occurrence of esophageal and bronchial fistulas. Of course, it is very important to start the treatment of burns as early as possible, using exclusively proven means and methods for the purpose presented.
Is it possible to use folk remedies?
Speaking about the treatment of burns of the esophagus with folk remedies, experts pay attention to the admissibility of their introduction solely as additional measures.
They cannot be the main part of therapy for any form of burn, the same applies to any stage of the present condition.
Particular attention in the process of excluding this pathology is given to instrumental or surgical treatment.
Folk methods are applicable as a means to deal with complications or in the last stages of burn treatment in order to speed up the process presented. Of course, such an approach should be discussed with the attending physician and in no case should be used independently by a sick person, let alone a child. It is necessary to closely monitor individual physiological responses, because the likelihood of complications or critical consequences is high. In the list of the main such means and compositions are compresses and infusions.
Features of the use of folk remedies
Folk remedies, namely compresses, can indeed be effective, but only if part of the chemical component has also got on the skin. In order to cope with this, they resort to such techniques as wetting gauze in sea buckthorn oil and applying it to the burn. For the compress to be effective, it will be necessary to withstand at least 20 minutes, after which the oil compress is replaced with a new one or a break is taken. Speaking of other folk remedies, experts pay attention to techniques such as:
- the burnt area that has been affected by any chemical components must be washed with running water. You need to do this for at least 10-15 minutes;
- after that, such a zone is treated with a solution of baking soda (in order to neutralize the acid) or a weakened composition of citric acid (to combat alkalis);
- after such a treatment, such compresses as gauze, which was dipped in sea buckthorn oil with vitamin E dissolved in the presented composition, are applied in turn to the affected area;
- along with this, it will be necessary to use a fabric that has been soaked with an exceptionally strong decoction of coltsfoot or, say, oak bark.
Much more effective in relation to the esophagus are all kinds of infusions. For example, it would be more than acceptable to prepare a decoction of chamomile or oak bark to use as a permanent mouth rinse. Experts call the following composition no less effective means: a tablespoon of violets is poured with boiling water in an amount of 200 ml and insisted for 120 minutes. The resulting composition for burns of the esophagus and its treatment is used for 24 hours.
Another remedy can be called an alternative, for the preparation of which not only milk, but also honey is used. The method of preparation is as follows: dilute 2 tsp in one glass of milk. natural fresh honey. It is necessary to use such a composition inside during one dose. It is permissible to do this only after the completion of the main recovery course or, in exceptional cases, at the last stage of therapy.
How to help at home?
Special attention deserves how exactly you should provide first aid when you get a burn of the esophagus at home.
The primary measure is, of course, the provision of gastric lavage.
The child or adult is given at least a liter of water to drink and is induced to vomit to ensure that all harmful chemicals are removed.
The next step should be the neutralization of the chemical component. In order to correctly and competently provide such assistance before the arrival of doctors, it is required to establish what exactly caused the burn in the esophagus. Quite often, it is not possible to interview a person, because he may be in a state of shock or it may be a child. In this case, it is recommended to identify this component, for example, by the smell from the mouth area or try to find the container that contained the chemical components. When noting the order in which the following actions are performed, pay attention to the fact that:
- if it is established that the burn was provoked by acid, then to neutralize its effects, it will be necessary to wash the stomach with some kind of alkali;
- for the presented purpose, a 2% solution of sodium bicarbonate is used in a proportion of two grams per liter of water;
- at home, it will also be possible to dilute half a tsp. baking soda in a liter of barely warm boiled water and let a person consume it in small sips;
- after which it is very important to make every effort to provoke vomiting.
As an emergency aid for burns of the esophagus, all kinds of alkalis are used to provide gastric lavage with a weak solution of acetic or citric acid. Also, vegetable oil can be used for this purpose. If the burn was provoked by a substance such as potassium permanganate KMnO4, then washing with a 1% solution of ascorbic acid is provided. The same event may be effective in the treatment of burns of the esophagus with alcohol.
In a situation where it is not possible to accurately determine the cause of the burn, it will be possible to neutralize the effect of a chemical compound with the help of milk. So, 400 ml of milk is allowed to drink in small sips in a warm, but not hot form. Further, it will be important to flush during the first six hours after drinking the liquid.
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HOW TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER?
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1. Can cancer be prevented?
The occurrence of a disease such as cancer depends on many factors. No one can be completely safe. But everyone can significantly reduce the chances of a malignant tumor.
2. How does smoking affect the development of cancer?
Absolutely, categorically ban yourself from smoking. This truth is already tired of everyone. But quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing all types of cancer. Smoking is associated with 30% of cancer deaths. In Russia, lung tumors kill more people than tumors of all other organs.
Eliminating tobacco from your life is the best prevention. Even if you smoke not a pack a day, but only half, the risk of lung cancer is already reduced by 27%, as the American Medical Association found.
3. Does excess weight affect the development of cancer?
Keep your eyes on the scales! Extra pounds will affect not only the waist. The American Institute for Cancer Research has found that obesity contributes to the development of tumors in the esophagus, kidneys, and gallbladder. The fact is that adipose tissue serves not only to store energy reserves, it also has a secretory function: fat produces proteins that affect the development of a chronic inflammatory process in the body. And oncological diseases just appear against the background of inflammation. In Russia, 26% of all cancer cases are associated with obesity.
4. Does exercise help reduce the risk of cancer?
Set aside at least half an hour a week for exercise. Sport is on the same level as proper nutrition when it comes to cancer prevention. In the US, a third of all deaths are attributed to the fact that patients did not follow any diet and did not pay attention to physical education. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising 150 minutes a week at a moderate pace or half as much but more vigorously. However, a study published in the journal Nutrition and Cancer in 2010 proves that even 30 minutes is enough to reduce the risk of breast cancer (which affects one in eight women in the world) by 35%.
5.How does alcohol affect cancer cells?
Less alcohol! Alcohol is blamed for causing tumors in the mouth, larynx, liver, rectum, and mammary glands. Ethyl alcohol breaks down in the body to acetaldehyde, which then, under the action of enzymes, turns into acetic acid. Acetaldehyde is the strongest carcinogen. Alcohol is especially harmful to women, as it stimulates the production of estrogen - hormones that affect the growth of breast tissue. Excess estrogen leads to the formation of breast tumors, which means that every extra sip of alcohol increases the risk of getting sick.
6. Which cabbage helps fight cancer?
Love broccoli. Vegetables are not only part of a healthy diet, they also help fight cancer. This is also why recommendations for healthy eating contain the rule: half of the daily diet should be vegetables and fruits. Especially useful are cruciferous vegetables, which contain glucosinolates - substances that, when processed, acquire anti-cancer properties. These vegetables include cabbage: ordinary white cabbage, Brussels sprouts and broccoli.
7. Which organ cancer is affected by red meat?
The more vegetables you eat, the less red meat you put on your plate. Studies have confirmed that people who eat more than 500 grams of red meat per week have a higher risk of developing colon cancer.
8. Which of the proposed remedies protect against skin cancer?
Stock up on sunscreen! Women aged 18-36 are particularly susceptible to melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. In Russia, in just 10 years, the incidence of melanoma has increased by 26%, world statistics show an even greater increase. Both artificial tanning equipment and the sun's rays are blamed for this. The danger can be minimized with a simple tube of sunscreen. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2010 confirmed that people who regularly apply a special cream get melanoma half as often as those who neglect such cosmetics.
The cream should be chosen with a protection factor SPF 15, apply it even in winter and even in cloudy weather (the procedure should turn into the same habit as brushing your teeth), and also do not expose yourself to the sun's rays from 10 to 16 hours.
9. Do you think stress affects the development of cancer?
By itself, stress does not cause cancer, but it weakens the entire body and creates conditions for the development of this disease. Research has shown that constant worry alters the activity of the immune cells responsible for turning on the fight-and-flight mechanism. As a result, a large amount of cortisol, monocytes and neutrophils, which are responsible for inflammatory processes, constantly circulate in the blood. And as already mentioned, chronic inflammatory processes can lead to the formation of cancer cells.
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In life, many may encounter a burn of the stomach and esophagus, and in this regard, physicians distinguish between thermal and chemical burns. So the first is a burn when swallowing hot food, and the second is when the stomach is damaged by household chemicals, detergents or cleaning products, solvents, and so on.
If we talk about a chemical burn, then it is provoked by concentrated acids, such as acetic or sulfuric, hydrochloric, alkali in the form of caustic soda or sodium hydroxide.
Symptoms
In this case, doctors distinguish between local and general symptoms of a stomach burn. So a local lesion is characterized by a strong pain attack, extending to the neck and behind the sternum, to the upper abdomen. If the internal organs are damaged, the signs will manifest themselves in the form of tissue edema, the person cannot swallow, hoarseness of voice is diagnosed, due to damage to the esophagus and vocal cords.
With such damage to the internal organs, the patient is diagnosed with shortness of breath due to swelling of the tissues, plus there may be vomiting interspersed with blood clots due to damage to internal tissues.
General symptoms are typical and similar to general intoxication of the body - this is an increase in body temperature, weakness and bouts of nausea, a failure in the rhythm of the heart. All this is caused by the negative effect of decay products on the whole body and every organ.
The burn of the stomach and the degree of damage will directly depend on such an indicator as the concentration of the product that has entered the body, as well as the amount of the toxic substance that has entered the stomach.
Degrees
Doctors in practice distinguish three degrees:
- The first degree is considered the easiest - the lesion affected only superficial tissues, the mucous membrane of the stomach and esophagus. In this case, redness and swelling are diagnosed, but such symptoms disappear after 12-15 days.
- The second degree is considered moderate when the gastric mucosa is destroyed, while affecting the layer of the dermis under the mucus, consisting of muscle cells. At this stage, severe swelling is diagnosed, which blocks the lumen into the esophagus, and if there are no complications, then everything goes away in a month.
- The third degree is considered the most severe when the entire stomach is affected, moving to the surrounding tissue and organs located nearby. For this degree of poisoning, general intoxication and pain shock are characteristic, during the healing of the affected areas, scars can form, and the affected organ itself can narrow. Subject to all the recommendations of doctors, the restoration of the affected organ can take from 3 months to 2 years.
More on the topic: Malignant tumor of the stomach: how long do people with such a diagnosis live?
Treatment
If we are talking about the first degree of damage, treatment may be limited to procedures performed at home. At the same time, the 2nd and 3rd degrees are treated in a medical institution - this will help to avoid negative consequences in the form of sepsis and bleeding, rupture of the walls of the stomach and esophagus, and so on. The main thing in this case is not to hesitate, and if you suspect a stomach burn, call an ambulance.
First aid to the victim
First aid to the patient will determine how effective the treatment will be in the future and the very results of the recovery of the victim. At the very beginning, wash the patient's stomach, thus ridding him of the substance that led to the burn. Give as much water as possible to drink, inducing bouts of vomiting.
Next, it is worth neutralizing the substance itself that got into the stomach - in this case, the main thing is to determine what the patient was poisoned with and what caused the burn. If this cannot be done due to the state of shock of the victim, the affected ligaments and the absence of a voice, or childhood, smell what your breath smells like and try to find a container from a likely chemical compound.
If it was possible to find out that acid was the cause of the burn, then it should be neutralized by washing the stomach with an alkali solution. As an option for preparing an alkaline solution at home - take ½ tsp. baking soda and dilute it in 1 liter. warm, boiled water, give to drink, provoking a gag reflex.
As an option, you can prepare a neutralizing alkaline solution for washing from acetic or citric acid, or using vegetable oil. In case of a burn of the stomach with potassium permanganate, it is worth rinsing and neutralizing its negative effect by washing the insides with a solution of 1% strength from ascorbic acid or water with the addition of lemon juice.
More on the topic: We get rid of the slagging of the stomach: we use different methods of cleansing
Unable to determine what caused the burn - let the patient drink at least 2 glasses of milk, in small sips, while the liquid should be warm. The main condition for all washing procedures is that this should be done in the first 5-6 hours after the liquid gets inside.
Treatment of the consequences of a stomach burn in the hospital.
In a medical facility, gastric lavage is performed orally, but if laryngeal edema is diagnosed, lavage is carried out through the anus through a probe. The composition for washing in the hospital itself contains analgesics.
After that, doctors prescribe a comprehensive course of treatment to eliminate stomach cramps, eliminate the state of shock and preventive measures aimed at preventing scarring of the affected areas of tissues and mucous membranes. In order to avoid infection, a course of antibiotics with a wide spectrum of action is used in the treatment process, as well as drugs that normalize the work of the heart muscle and kidneys.
During the first 4-6 days, doctors prescribe the intake of vegetable or vaseline oils, which contribute to the speedy tightening and healing of the areas of internal organs affected by the burn, but food, even in its liquid state, is excluded for this period.
In case of especially severe lesions, the patient undergoes a gastrostomy - this is a procedure in which a probe is inserted into the cavity of the stomach itself through a hole made on the front wall of the abdominal cavity. So the patient is fed in the first weeks of rehabilitation and recovery after a burn. During the examination, X-rays and endoscopy are not performed - this way additional trauma to the stomach and esophagus is not allowed.
Burn of the stomach in children - what to do.
For the most part, small children are prone to burns of the esophagus and stomach - due to their curiosity and misunderstanding, they can pull into their mouths and swallow any household chemicals, detergents or cleaning products, and so on. In this case, it is worth immediately calling an ambulance team and this should be done even with the slightest burn of the stomach and esophagus.