What is gastrointestinal dilation?
Gastrointestinal; dilation is a process in which your doctor at GI Alliance of Illinois will enlarge (or stretch out) a constricted or obstructed region (called a stricture) of your GI tract.
Most commonly used is balloon dilation, where the balloon is inserted at the area of the stricture using the video on an endoscope and is then inflated to dilate the stricture.
Who are the candidates for endoscopic dilation?
There are many different reasons a patient may benefit from a dilation. A few of the general problems that may require treatment include:
- Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
- GERD (chronic acid reflux)
- Esophageal cancer
- Chemical damage to the esophagus that results in inflammation and narrowing
- Narrowing of the outlet of your stomach
- Small bowel strictures
- Colonics strictures due to colitis or post-surgical anastomotic strictures
If you feel you might benefit from a dilation, contact GI Alliance of Illinois to find a gastroenterologist that can assist in stretching your esophagus so that you can find the relief you need.
