Symptoms
Esophageal varices usually don't cause signs and symptoms unless they bleed. Signs and symptoms of bleeding esophageal varices include:
- Vomiting and seeing significant amounts of blood in your vomit
- Black, tarry or bloody stools
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of consciousness (in severe case)
Your doctor might suspect varices if you have signs of liver disease, including:
- Yellow coloration of your skin and eyes (jaundice)
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Fluid buildup in your abdomen (ascites)
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have signs or symptoms that worry you. If you've been diagnosed with liver disease, ask your doctor about your risk of esophageal varices and how you can reduce your risk of these complications. Ask your doctor about an endoscopy procedure to check for esophageal varices.
If you've been diagnosed with esophageal varices, your doctor is likely to instruct you to watch for signs of bleeding. Bleeding esophageal varices are an emergency. Call 911 or your local emergency services right away if you have bloody vomit or bloody stools.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com