Stenosis - causes, symptoms and treatment options

A stenosis is a pathological narrowing of vessels or channels in the body. Find out more about symptoms, diagnosis and possible forms of treatment.

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A stenosis is a pathological narrowing of a hollow organ, vessel or channel in the body.

A stenosis can be congenital or acquired and often affects blood vessels (e.g. B. coronary artery stenosis), the spinal canal (e.g. spinal canal stenosis) or hollow organs such as the trachea, Oesophagus or ureter. The narrowing obstructs the normal flow of blood, air or other substances and can cause a variety of symptoms.

Typical symptoms depend on the localisation. A vascular stenosis can, for example to circulatory disorders, chest pain or dizziness . A spinal canal stenosis often manifests itself through back pain, leg weakness, tingling or unsteady gait. If a stenosis is not recognised or treated, it can lead to permanent damage or loss of organ function .

Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Conservative measures include physiotherapy, drug therapy or supplementary micronutrients such as magnesium, vitamin D, Omega-3 fatty acids and Curcumin to support circulation, inhibition of inflammation and nerve protection. In severe cases surgical interventions such as stents, bypasses or decompressions are necessary.

Typical forms of stenosis:

Coronary artery stenosis → Chest tightness, myocardial infarction
Spinal canal stenosis → Back pain, neurological deficits
Carotid stenosis → Risk of stroke due to narrowed carotid artery
Pyloric stenosis (gastric pyloric stenosis in infants)
Tracheal stenosis, Ureteral stenosis, Aortic stenosis

Possible causes:

Arteriosclerosis (Deposits in vessels)
Inflammatory processes or Scarring
Herniated discs, Spinal canal narrowing
Tumours or Adhesions after surgery
Congenital malformations

Therapeutic approaches depending on localisation:

Conservative: Analgesics, exercise therapy, anti-inflammatory micronutrients
Interventional: Catheter technique, Stent implantation
Surgical: Decompression, bypass surgery
Omega-3, Magnesium, Curcumin, L-Carnitine to support vascular and nerve function

Literature references

Silbernagl, S., Lang, F. (2011): Taschenatlas der Pathophysiologie.
Deyo, R.A. et al. (2010): Treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. N Engl J Med.
Cohn, J.N. et al. (2005): Arterial stiffness and vascular disease. Hypertension.