Esophageal Stricture Treatment

| Modified on Nov 03, 2023
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What Is Esophageal Stricture?

An esophageal stricture is one of the many conditions that affects the functioning of the esophagus and, in turn, the whole digestive system. Typically benign, an esophageal stricture results as the esophagus is narrowed by the buildup of scar tissue. Generally speaking, the esophagus is the tube that transports food and liquid from the mouth into the stomach, so even though a stricture is most often noncancerous, it can cause significant health issues.

The narrowing of the esophagus can cause difficulty swallowing and also increase an individual’s risk of choking; however, the condition involves several other symptoms as well. Dysphagia or the difficulty with swallowing or feeling food as it passes to the stomach is one of the most common symptoms of an esophageal stricture. Additional symptoms include pain when swallowing, unexpected and unintended weight loss, regurgitation of food and liquids, involuntary reversal of food and heartburn.

The root cause of an esophageal stricture involves damage to the esophagus that causes scar tissue to form, but several factors contribute to that damage. Chronic heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease is the most common cause of scar tissue that causes esophageal stricture. Additional causes include prolonged use of a nasogastric tube, ingestion of an acidic or corrosive substance, treatment of esophageal varices and radiation therapy.

Natural Treatment Options for Esophageal Stricture

No matter the cause, esophageal stricture can be treated naturally to safely and effectively heal the issue. One of the main factors that needs to be treated when dealing with esophageal stricture is inflammation. Turmeric is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and is considered especially effective for treating esophageal stricture. Additional supplements that may be of help include goldenseal root, Echinacea, geranium, marshmallow and slippery elm. These supplements ease throat pain and soothe the inflammation that contributes to esophageal stricture.


Achalasia Remedies

Posted by Gosia (Chicago Il.) on 08/26/2014

Please help. Does anyone know of any natural cures for Achalasia. My husband was just diagnosed in May. Here is brief info on Achalasia.

  • Achalasia is a rare disease of the muscle of the lower esophageal body and the lower esophageal sphincter.
  • The cause of achalasia is unknown; however, there is degeneration of the esophageal muscles and, more importantly, the nerves that control the muscles.
  • Common symptoms of achalasia include difficulty in swallowing, chest pain, and regurgitation of food and liquids.

Thank you.

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Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
08/26/2014

Hello Gosia,

Re your husband's Achalasia;

The Cause....

See a PubMed Double Blind study, January 8, 2004 that shows Herpes Simplex Virus effects the neurons in the sphincter and causes the motor impairment. Read especially the concluding last sentence to be convinced.

To kill viruses I take Colloidal Silver; If I had such a condition as Achalasia I'd not only orally consume but I'd use a "steam inhaler" with mask and using CS in the pan would deeply breathe in the CS as a steam for three minutes three times daily. In three days I'd expect to see some relief in symptoms; and if so would continue oral and steam usage. I'd drink two tablespoons three times daily and let drain down throat. If improved as described above I'd stay on program for three months. Virus may be systemic, so I'd consider staying on CS orally for six months and maintenance steamer use twice weekly.

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Replied by Alison
(London)
07/19/2015

Dave, I tried to look up the journal you suggested from 2004 but can find nothing on Google. Please can you give me some more information on that. My mother is 93 and has had achaliasia now for about 5 years. It makes life very difficult for her and it would be wonderful to find something that helped.

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Daisy
(Florida)
11/03/2023

Just want to learn as much as I can about achalasia. I had surgery but I'm not symptom free.

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Replied by Dave
(Fountain Inn, Sc)
07/21/2015

Hello Allison,

Sorry you couldn't find the Pub Med article I referenced. My point was the condition might be virus related. Then in my article I suggest what I'd do to try getting rid of the virus. Please re read my post. I explain what to do...at least if me.

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Replied by Cheri
(GA)
11/07/2022

Hi, did you ever find an effective treatment for achalasia? I have a family member who is suffering from this condition as well. Thank you.


Corkscrew Esophagus

Posted by Catherine (Nebraska, US) on 02/08/2015

I have a friend that has been diagnosed with a corkscrew esophagus..She cannot eat vegetables, fruit, meat, or bread products..the only thing she can eat is dairy (pudding, plain yogurt, plain chocolate or vanilla ice cream, milk), chocolate (no nuts or color..such as in M&M's...Hershey bars mostly), smooth peanut butter, graham crackers..in small amounts..certain brands of applesauce. She can drink water, tea and coffee and only grape juice. She also uses root beer to make floats. When she eats anything else, she becomes sick, can feel her esophagus twisting and then vomits. This has been going on for over 2 years. She has been to countless Drs., she is now going to a naturalist and still no results..I am so worried for her. We have heard of maybe surgery or botox treatments..Does anyone else have this problem or know of someone else that does? Please reply..thank you.

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Replied by Kim
(Hot Springs, AR)
02/16/2016

I have achalasia. Actually I have had it for years but didn't know what it was. In 2010 it got really bad and rather than just throwing up my food- which I did-- it progressed till nothing went down including water. The progression went through 2011. When water stopped going down my husband( a MD) was giving me several bags of Iv fluid a week. Meanwhile I was getting all sorts of tests from specialists. I am 5'11" and was always about a size 18. I reduced to a loose size 6 and looked like what I was---starving to death, and was loosing my hair. I ended up getting surgery in Monroe Louisiana by Dr Daryl Marx. He got me fixed up and now I am healthy again. Do not do the Botox it causes scar tissue in the LES. What my Dr did was cut the bands -laparoscopic - in my lower esophigal sphincter it was not a bad surgery and was out patient surgery. I still have to watch what and how I eat but I look just like my old self. Yes I am back to a size 18 and happy about it. I can eat I can drink. I am healthy. I cannot eat much meat. I cannot eat heavy raw cabbage. Or apples. If I eat meat I eat small amount of rare steak. Chew chew chew. Drink h20 with it. Get the surgery. It's so worth it. Don't stay miserable. Ki


Herbs

Posted by Tracy (San Augustine, Tx, Usa) on 09/06/2010

You didn't disclose the origins of the Esophageal Stricture you have. If it's the result of tissue scarring, then you might want to try remedies that promote healing of scar tissue & use them internally in a tea or soft porridge that you sip. If the Stricture is from a hiatal hernia, then use a remedy for that. I healed a hiatal hernia once using Goldenseal Root with some other herbs. And if the Stricture is a result of Reflux or GERD problems, then you'd need to correct those problems with the appropriate remedies before you see any correction to the Esophageal Stricture you have.


Strong Peppermints

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Posted by Jody (Fredericton, Canada) on 07/25/2014
★★★★★

I've had esophagus issues most of my adult life and there are several things that work to help get through the rough ones. Milk helps a lot when I have pain. Soda water or club soda help a lot-gets rid of the acid without the sugar which can compound problems. Finally, if I'm in the throes of an esophagus spasm or other pain there I use fresh Altoids. Just let them dissolve like usual and the strong real peppermint loosens everything up. Now to cut back or quit the coffee, red wine and nice cigars:(

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Replied by Dave
(Western Nebraska)
11/07/2015

Thanks for the mint tip, will try. Ice water can help as well especially if a swallow or 2 is taken before complete lock occurs. After that spitting out all mouth contents in the nearest private location and walking and or hopping (jarring) helps break loose. Usually once it releases that is usually the end of the episode. I tend to go through spells when esophagus is very sensitive, often rushed eating, high emotional s, spicy, hot, gritty, dry roast beef, brown gritty baked potatoes. and other unknown irritants can be problematic. I had thought that some wine 5 minutes before eating helps a little but crunching 1/2 tabs of homeopathic tabs from Swanson's line (1each of fibromyalgia, leg pain, back pain helps more. I use those for some other issues and Homeopathic seems to affect on the neural level even though I haven't found a Homeopath specifically suited to this area yet, I'm very sure there is one since ANY poisonous or other compound or elements can be used without toxicity (yes really! ) leaving literally millions of possibilities! (homeo preps are often very specific to body areas but have bleed over in less strong ways to other areas).

Blessings! Dave

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Replied by Wendy
(London, England)
04/09/2016

My husband has been suffering some time. When he eats porridge for breakfast - no problem. Lunch is generally a sandwich, crisps and salad. He eats the crisps and salad first and no problem.

Dinner, this is the problem he can start eating then starts coughing and ends with pain in his chest. No with every meal, but if it is dry like meat with no sauce.

He takes a glass of water beforehand with alkaline drops and has a digestive enzyme this works sometimes, but not others.

Any ideas please?

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Replied by Looziana
(Usa)
09/02/2016

Try mixing unsweetened organic applesauce with his dinner.

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Replied by Toni
(Dallas, Texas)
06/12/2017

I think my husband has an Esophageal Stricture as he could not eat anything without regurgitating. He tried many natural remedies including ACV, Alo Vera, turmeric, herbs, hyluronic acid, etc. Finally someone we met, who had the same problem, suggested taking a digestive enzyme before he eats and he has not thrown up once in the last eight months. He also drinks ginger tea throughout his meal, which I make from ginger root or a tea bag...both work equally well.

He started with this problem about 20 years ago but it only happened occasionally. Over the years, it got worse until he threw up at almost every meal and he could hardly eat anything. Today he can eat anything... so if you have this problem give it a try.

I also read a blog on Earthclinic of a lady who gave her husband 2 tsp. of organic coconut oil each day and his esophagus was healed in about a year.

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Replied by Ava
(Grand Rapids)
08/02/2017

What digestive enzyme does your husband take before meals, that works well for his achalasia?

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Replied by Jadu Jena
(Odisha(jajpur Town))
09/28/2017

MY son is about 11yrs old. He is suffering chronic esophagitis. After1st day of his birth found that (TEF) TRACHEA ESOPHAGUS FISTULA. 2nd day of his birth doctor adviced for operation. On the 6th day dr operated him.Since then he is eating semi solid food till to date. No solid food can' t swallowed. If he try to take any solid food vomiting started & all food get out. Dr says a stricture has developed.Due to this esopagus is narrowed. so he is not able to take any solid food. DR dilitated his esophagus several times.But no result got. Many kinds of homeopathy med has been used. But result is zero. pls help me if any remedies is possible. ls there any med can u trial on this type e of same case & U also sucessed?

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Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
09/28/2017

I am sorry about this great difficulty for your son!

I do not know of a medicine. But if this were my child, I would try massaging castor oil into the neck once or twice a day. Castor oil can reduce scar tissue and inflammation, which may be the cause of the narrowing of the esophagus.

I might also try to get some turmeric into the diet each day to reduce inflammation. 1/8 teaspoon once or twice a day.

You may wish to ask the doctor about using serrapeptase or nattokinase as a supplement as it can reduce scar tissue. But because it thins the blood, I would only use this under the supervision of a doctor for a child. Though, possibly the food natto would work instead if you were able to find it and make it palatable to your child.

Let us know how it goes! I hope you find a solution for him.

~Mama to Many~

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Replied by Christine
(Houston)
12/19/2017

Did it go away? What helped or what didn't? Just started these symptoms and I've been taking digestive enzymes and coconut oil and a lil ginger in my fresh juices. Some days are better than usual but I just want it to go away permanently.

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Replied by Toni
(Dallas, Texas)
03/11/2018

Sorry, I did not see your question until today. We took Bluebonnet Full Spectrum Enzymes and then switched to Full Spectrum enzymes from Whole Foods as they are $12 and work just as well. I would put the powder in water as my husband cannot take pills and mix it with 1 - 2 Ts. of Bragg's Apple Cider and 1/4 to 1/2 Ts. of baking soda. He drinks this before we eat and then takes ginger tea throughout the meal. From day one he could literally eat anything until last Friday night. He regurgitated on something and belched for days and did not eat for six days. We finally went to the ER and they admitted him as he was very sick. They did an endoscopy three days ago and he has a Zinker's Diverticulum, which is pocket next to this wind pipe and esophoagus and his food was not going into his stomach. They are doing a procedure next week to remove it and according to the doctor he will be able to eat again without regurgitating. He also had two strictures...one at the opening of his stomach and one at the opening of this small intestines. They stretched these out and the doctor said he will have to be on acid blockers for the rest of his life. I told him I thought this was wrong as every natural doctor I read say the problem is too little acid in your stomach not too much. There is a test you can do to see how much acid is in your stomach so I am going to ask them to do it so we take the natural right thing. If you have not had an endoscopy done...this would be what I would recommend as then you will know what is wrong and how to address it and for me I now know how to pray for him as I believe in the healing power of Jesus. I tried for years to get my husband to do this but he refused so going to the ER was a blessing as he did not have a choice and does not even remember them doing it. Hope this helps. Toni

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Replied by Michele
(Burson, Ca)
12/10/2018

After reading all the comments & symptoms others have, I don't know what's going on with me! I have no chest pain or any of the other symptoms except for the regurgitating but I think I have scarring in my esophagus as well as gerd. I took Zantac for years before I found out it contributes to osteoporosis, then switched to apple cider vinegar & water, which did the trick. But this is different than the gerd. I know I have to sit up for at least an hour after eating (anything) or I wake up in the middle of the night coughing & choking until I get up some of my dinner, which seems to be stuck halfway down. I also have asthma & as soon as I tell a doctor that, they assume that's what's causing it. I have given up on the medical profession but not sure where to turn next. Any suggestions?

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Replied by Teena
(Melbourne, Australia)
12/11/2018
233 posts

Hi Michele, you have symptoms of low stomach acid not allowing sphincter from stomach to oesophagus to close, not able to digest food, and ultimately fermenting creating gas and resulting pressure forces the food back up, undigested. Read here https://www.gaia.com/article/halt-heartburn-and-acid-reflux-naturally

Take betaine capsule one cap a day with meals then 2 caps a day, when you have found your limit you will experience warmth in your stomach and you will know you have your limit and can reduce one cap till it happens again. This will repair the inability of your stomach to produce acid, hence the lessening of the betaine. For some they can only need 2 but there is a poster here who swears great benefits at much higher ( gradual) dose. Purchasing some mallow root to take as tea will soothe and repair the oesophagus lining and heal damage to stomach, and intestines.

Best to you.

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Replied by Lyndalu
(Fl)
06/27/2020

Michele I know my chances are slim that you'll see this since this post is 1 1/2 years old, but did the advice help? How are you doing now? Your symptoms sound EXACTLY like my son-in-law's.

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Replied by Denise
(California)
06/28/2020

Hi Michelle, I was surprised to see someone's post, just yesterday, and wanted you to know that I saw yours.

I haven't looked all through the thread to see what you originally posted, but my friend Nancy has achalasia so bad the even removed part of her esophagus. She is losing her hair and looks malnurished because she can't eat anything except some drinks like slim fast, and I am so worried for her. I don't want her to give up, and not sure she would even listen at this point to some natural help for her.

I don't know what to do but I pray to God for her every day, and she too is a woman of faith. But I know that there are others suffering from this terrible thing, and she told me she talks to some people when she is up to it, on some forum. I'm so glad she has them because some of her friends have seemed to abandon her.

Maybe you have something you can share with me, to pass onto her? I saw one gal got a surgery done in Louisianna from a doctor there, but I don't even know if that would work for her circumstance. Just here looking for something that maybe could help her. I have esophageal issues, but just the spasms so far. Those are stopped by just drinking cool or room-temp water for me. My diet is kind of strict but I am doing good.

Well, I'll try to post this, and if anyone at all might help me to help Nancy, I would so appreciate it. She is same age as me, 67. But I am still so full of life, and hope and I think we need a miracle for Nancy, which she did tell me not much research done on achalasia, and she has lost hope in doctors I think. I could be wrong about that, thanks in advance to anyone who might have info, Denise



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