The esophageal varices are abnormally swollen veins in the walls of the esophagus. Hypertension of the veins that carry blood to the liver can cause these internal varices that if left untreated can lead to internal bleeding. Among the most common causes are excessive consumption of alcohol, various types of hepatitis or certain infections. The various treatments for these internal varices are:endoscopic ligation, which is performed through an endoscope league swollen veins to prevent ruptures;balloon tamponade, a system by which a balloon is inserted to push the bleeding varices;or sclerotherapy, in which some drugs are used to coagulate the bleeding veins or to relieve blood pressure.