The veins in the esophagus can become enlarged when a clot or scar tissue blocks the blood flow to the liver. The blood then flows into smaller vessels that aren't capable of transferring large volumes of blood without issue. These become esophageal varices and risk rupturing, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Esophageal varices occur most often in people with liver disease. Symptoms of esophageal varices include vomiting, bloody stools, and lightheadedness. The symptoms of liver disease are jaundice and easy bruising.

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