Esophageal varices are when the veins in the esophagus area become dilated and can rupture, causing gastrointestinal bleeding. This condition is common in people with cirrhosis, chronic liver disease, liver cancer…

1. The role of exercise for people with esophageal varices

Esophageal varices usually do not cause signs and symptoms, unless bleeding occurs. Signs and symptoms of esophageal bleeding are vomiting blood (little or massive) or passing black stools.

These manifestations appear when the veins have dilated to the maximum level, causing perforation or rupture of the veins, causing bleeding.

When the disease is in the acute stage, the patient cannot exercise. However, when the health is stable, the patient should exercise gently to improve health.

Building a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, is an important part of lowering blood pressure, limiting the progression of esophageal varices, and preventing bleeding.

Moreover, psychology has a great influence on the treatment of esophageal varices. Patients need to stay optimistic by exercising, walking, meditating, etc.

2. Some gentle exercises

2.1. Breathing exercises

How to do:

• The practitioner lies on his back, bends his knees so that the bottom of his feet is on the bed. Place his hands on his stomach or wrap his arms around his stomach.
• Close your mouth and place your tongue on the roof of your mouth. Inhale through your nose and pull the air down to your stomach, where your hands are. Try to separate your fingers in rhythm with your breathing.
• Slowly exhale through your nose.
• Repeat for one minute, try to breathe deeply to relax your body, helping your heart beat slower.

2.2. Mental counting breathing exercise

How to do this exercise is as follows:

• The practitioner breathes to relax his body and then inhales through his nose, combining it with mentally counting from 1 to 4 in his head so that his stomach is filled with air.
• Next, everyone pulls in their stomach, slowly exhales, also combining it with counting from 1 to 4 in their head, trying to push the air out as naturally as possible.
• After getting used to this exercise, people can gradually increase the difficulty, practicing to the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th beat…

Walking is a simple form of exercise that is very good for your health.

2.3. Walking

Walking is a gentle physical activity but is very effective in improving cardiovascular health and controlling blood pressure. Patients with esophageal varices can walk in the park or on roads with few vehicles to ensure fresh air and less dust.

3. Note when exercising to avoid harming health

To ensure proper exercise without harming health, the most important thing is that patients need to listen to their bodies and monitor their health. During an acute illness, patients should not exercise and need to rest until their health is stable. After that, they need to consult a doctor and start exercising slowly. It is best to choose sports that do not require much physical strength such as walking, light exercise, breathing exercises, etc.

If you feel unwell, you should stop exercising. Avoid over-exercising, which is not suitable for your health condition, as it will be counterproductive.