A spontaneous rupture (tear) of the oesophagus, which typically occurs after forceful vomiting.
The condition tends to develop over a a period of time but symptoms occur all of a sudden.
It caused by a sudden rise in intraluminal esophageal pressure produced during vomiting, caused by neuromuscular incoordination (nerves which sends signal to muscle and muscles not working together as they should) leading to failure of the cricopharyngeus muscle (spincter muscle – the main muscle preventing food and other particles from getting into your trachea, lungs and the rest of your respiratory system) to relax.
a tear typically occurs at the weakest point in the oesophagus, usually in the left lower oesophagus below the diaphragm in adults, whereas in very young patients, the perforation is usually into the right pleural cavity.
It is hard to diagnose as it does not present with typical symptoms.
Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if you suspect this condition
Eosinophilic oesophagitis – long term condition of the digestive system in which large numbers of a particular type of white blood cell called eosinophils are present in the oesophagus.
Repeated episodes of retching and vomiting are followed by a sudden onset of severe chest pain in the lower thorax and the upper abdomen?
Tight chest?
The pain may radiate to the back or to the left shoulder?
Swallowing often aggravates the pain?
Subcutaneous emphysema (occurs when gas or air accumulates and seeps under the skin, where normally no gas should be present):
Persistent cough?
Short of breath and/or breathing difficulties?
Wheezing?
Pneumomediastinum -cause a crackling sound upon chest auscultation (breathing), known as the Hamman crunch (the crunch is typically heard coincident with each heartbeat and may be mistaken for a pericardial friction rub)?
Hoarseness of voice (rare)?
Breathing may be assisted by pursed lips and use of accessory respiratory muscles; persons may adopt the tripod sitting position?
Difficulty swallowing?
Difficulty speaking?
Sore throat?
Neck pain?
Swelling of the chest and neck?
Barrel-shaped chest (trapped air)?
Bluish fingers and/or bluish lips (cyanosis) due to low oxygen levels in the blood (rare)?
Cervical vein distention (rare)?
Chest sounds can be heard?
Distant heart beat sounds?
Fast heartbeat?
Fever and sweating?
Bulging or protruding eyeballs?
Low blood pressure?
Irritated, stressed and/or anxious (due to limited on what one can do physically and emotionally)?
Low mood and depressed?
General discomfort (muscle weakness), uneasiness or ill feeling (malaise) and/or fatigue (tiredness)?
Weight loss?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Mediastinitis – (swelling and irritation (inflammation) of the chest area between the lungs (mediastinum)- due to stomach content entering the lungs and causing severe damage and infection.
Hydropneumothorax – the presence of both air and fluid within the pleural space.
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Boerhaave Syndrome in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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