Benign esophageal stricture refers to narrowing of the esophagus/food pipe (a tube through which the food passes from the throat down into the stomach). Benign esophageal stricture mainly arises from damage to the esophageal lining from stomach acid or any other irritant. It results in inflammation in the oesophagus followed by scar tissue formation, leading to narrowing of the pipe. Homeopathic medicines for benign esophageal stricture provide supportive help to manage the symptoms in mild to moderate cases.
The major reason for damage to esophageal lining is long term GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) in which stomach acid backs up in the food pipe due to improper functioning of LES (lower esophageal sphincter). Other reasons include endoscopy procedure, use of nasogastric tube, eosinophilic esophagitis, radiation therapy done to chest or neck, treatment of esophageal varices and swallowing of certain substances like household cleaners, battery acid etc.
Homeopathic Medicines for Benign Esophageal Stricture
The symptoms that are effectively managed with medicines are difficult swallowing, regurgitation of food, sensation of food sticking in the food pipe, heartburn and frequent eructations. The top grade natural medicines for managing benign esophageal stricture symptomatically includes Kali Carb, Baryta Carb, Arsenic Album, Calcarea Carb and Nux Vomica. The medicines among them are used based upon the characteristic individual symptoms.
1. Kali Carb – For Difficulty in Swallowing
Kali Carb is an excellent medicine for managing difficult swallowing in cases of benign esophageal stricture. The food descends slowly through the food pipe and there is a sensation as if something is impeding the food from going down with pain in centre of chest. Person needing Kali Carb has to drink water after eating a little to make the food move down in the esophagus. In some cases, the food remains half way in the food pipe and is followed by gagging and vomiting. Burning, stitching or stinging pain in the throat when swallowing is felt. Sometimes a sticking pain in throat may be there along with above symptoms.
2. Baryta Carb – For Difficulty Swallowing Solid Food
Baryta Carb is helpful for managing benign esophageal stricture with difficulty in swallowing solid food. Attacks of choking may appear while eating. Smarting or stinging pain in throat when swallowing attends. There is also a sensation sensation as if food is lodged in food pipe. In severe cases, solid food can not be swallowed completely and only liquid can be swallowed.
3. Arsenic Album – For Sensation of having Food Lodged in Esophagus
Arsenic Album is a well-indicated medicine for benign esophageal stricture with a sensation of food being lodged in the esophagus. The swallowing is difficult and painful. Whatever is eaten seems to get lodge in the food pipe. While swallowing burning in food pipe is felt. A stinging pain in esophagus, as from a splinter may attend. History of inflammation of esophagus may be present where Arsenic Album is needed.
4. Calcarea Carb – For Sensation of Food Sticking in Throat
Calcarea Carb is useful for cases of benign esophageal stricture with a sensation of food sticking in the throat. The person is unable to eat enough because it does not seem to go down. Nausea appears with this. A sensation of rawness and soreness is felt along the entire length of food pipe. Sometimes stitching pain is felt in food pipe especially in the upper part.
5. Nux Vomica – For Regurgitation of Food
Nux Vomica is valuable medicine to treat benign esophageal stricture with regurgitation of food. Eructations of sour or bitter taste appears. Sometimes water brash arises. Heartburn is another complaint. Vomiting also tends to appear after eating in many cases. Other features for using Nux Vomica are impeded swallowing with constricted feeling in the food pipe. It may be attended with stitching in the throat.
6. Robinia – For Managing Heartburn at Night
Robinia is prepared from a plant named Robinia pseudacacia commonly known as yellow locust. The natural order of this plant is Leguminosae. Robinia is highly effective to manage complaint of heartburn at night in cases of benign esophageal stricture. Sour belching and sour vomiting may be present. Robinia is also a top listed medicine to treat cases of GERD.
7. Iris Versicolor – To Manage Heartburn
Iris Versicolor is prepared from a plant commonly named as Blue Flag. This plant belongs to natural order Iridaceae. Iris Versicolor is another significant medicine to manage heartburn in cases of benign esophageal stricture. Persons needing Iris have heartburn, sour bitter vomiting and weakness. Nausea may also accompany that is constant in nature most of the times.Vomiting of food also arises in many cases. Like Robinia, Iris Versicolor is also majorly indicated medicine for GERD.
8. Carbo Veg – For Managing Frequent Eructations
Carbo Veg is very suitable for managing complaint of frequent eructations in benign esophageal stricture. Sometimes the eructations are almost constant in cases requiring Carbo Veg. They may be bitter, sour or rancid and have an offensive odour. The eructations appears after eating or drinking anything. In many cases vomiting appears after eating. Scraping or rawness is also felt in the throat. Difficulty in swallowing is also there. Inflammation of esophagus may be present with the above symptoms.
Symptoms of Benign Esophageal Stricture
The symptoms of benign esophageal stricture include difficult or painful swallowing, regurgitation of food (regurgitation – returning back of food up to the mouth from the stomach), sensation of food sticking in the throat or chest while eating, heartburn, frequent eructations and unintentional weight loss. Few of the complications of benign esophageal stricture include choking, dehydration, malnutrition and pulmonary aspiration.