Treatments

Esophageal Stricture Treatments

Treatment for an esophageal stricture depends on the cause and severity of the stricture. Treatments may include: 

• Medication: Possible medications include:
  
  • Antibiotics can be used to clear up a stricture caused by a localized infection. 
  • Medications to reduce stomach acid are the usual treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). 
  • Corticosteroids may be used to treat eosinophilic esophagitis. 
• Bougie: Your physician can insert increasingly larger bougies, or weighted tubes, to dilate the narrowed area.
• Pneumatic (balloon) dilation: Using an endoscope, a special balloon is passed through the mouth and into the esophagus, where it is inflated to stretch the restrictive muscles.
• Surgery: Surgery may be recommended to treat tumors or achalasia.