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Did you know? There's a surprising connection between Mallory-Weiss tears and vomiting?
Did you know? Mallory-Weiss syndrome is a mucosal tear caused by high abdominal pressure, which occurs mainly after vomiting and is a common cause of acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding. According to studies, cases of such tears account for about 1-15% of all cases of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in adults, and less than 5% in children.
These tears usually occur at the junction of the esophagus and stomach, but can occur elsewhere in the esophagus, making the condition potentially complicated.
The most common cause of Mallory-Weiss syndrome is related to persistent vomiting, especially in people with alcoholism or bulimia. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is also considered a risk factor associated with this syndrome. However, not all people with Mallory-Weiss syndrome have these known risk factors.
Historical review
Before 1929, cases showing similar symptoms had been reported, with the earliest case of gastroesophageal ulcer reported by Johann Friedrich Hermann Albers through autopsy in 1833. It was not until 1929 that G. Kenneth Mallory and Soma Weiss accurately described and named the syndrome for the first time. The term was coined from their study of 15 alcoholic patients who all showed signs of vomiting and gagging.
According to their research, repeated vomiting can lead to the formation of a tear, which is located at the junction between the esophagus and stomach.
Research in the medical community has developed with the passage of time. In 1955, the development of surgery led to huge improvements in Mallory-Weiss screening and treatment methods, from dissection after the patient died to early intervention. and diagnosis.
Symptoms
The main symptom of Mallory-Weiss syndrome is usually vomiting blood (hematemesis), which often occurs after severe vomiting or nausea. Patients may also experience symptoms such as chest pain, back pain, or upper abdominal pain. Some patients may even feel dizzy or lose consciousness in severe cases.
In 90% of cases, the tear heals spontaneously and the bleeding stops naturally within 48 to 72 hours.
Cause analysis
The occurrence of Mallory-Weiss syndrome is closely related to alcoholism, bulimia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Studies have found that up to 75% of patients are heavy drinkers at the time of illness. In addition, a sudden increase in abdominal pressure, such as severe vomiting or coughing, is also a cause.
Some studies have shown that hiatal hernia may be a potential cause of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, but this view is also controversial and no consistent conclusion has been reached.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Confirming the diagnosis of Mallory-Weiss tears usually requires an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. This can reveal the exact location of the tear and its size. In terms of treatment, for cases of minor bleeding, conservative treatment methods are commonly used, such as intravenous fluid infusion, fasting, and quiet rest. When bleeding persists, endoscopic hemostatic techniques, such as metal clip closure and thermal probe coagulation, are required.
Tear length is usually between 2 and 4 cm in most patients and can be confirmed by direct endoscopic visualization in most cases.
In addition to the above treatment methods, with the development of treatment technology, patients can also receive other innovative treatments under endoscopy, such as epinephrine injection to constrict blood vessels, ligation to apply direct pressure, etc. Appropriate follow-up observation is also crucial to ensure that the bleeding does not recur.
Although significant progress has been made in the treatment of Mallory-Weiss syndrome, awareness of the disease still needs to be improved, especially the risks posed by overeating or severe vomiting. Faced with this situation, have you ever thought about how deeply you understand the causes of these diseases?
