Esophagitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention
Esophagitis is a condition that affects your esophagus, the tube connecting your mouth and stomach. The lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed or irritated as a result of several factors, which can lead to discomfort, pain, and difficulty swallowing. There are some complications associated with esophagitis, such as narrowing of the esophagus, bleeding, or infection. We will examine the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention in this blog post.
Causes of Esophagitis
There are many possible causes of esophagitis, but some of the most common ones are:
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When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it damages the esophageal lining. It could result from a weak lower esophageal sphincter (the valve that keeps acid from escaping), a hiatal hernia (where part of the stomach pushes into the chest), or lifestyle factors such as overeating, obesity, smoking, or alcohol consumption.
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Insufficient swallowing or prolonged contact with the esophageal lining can cause some oral drugs to irritate the esophagus. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, bisphosphonates (used to treat osteoporosis), potassium supplements, and iron pills are among them.
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The esophagus may be infected by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. This is more likely to occur in people with weakened immune systems such as those with HIV/AIDS, cancer, diabetes, or organ transplants.
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Food and substances that some people ingest or breathe may trigger an allergic reaction in them. There is a possibility that this can trigger an immune response that results in eosinophilic esophagitis (EE), an esophagitis characterized by high eosinophil levels in the esophageal tissue.
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Other causes: Less common causes of esophagitis are radiation therapy (used to treat cancer), chemical burns (from swallowing corrosive substances such as bleach or detergent), physical trauma (from foreign objects or injury), and autoimmune diseases (such as Crohn’s disease or scleroderma).
Symptoms of Esophagitis
The symptoms of esophagitis may vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. Some of the common symptoms include:
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Difficulty swallowing: You may feel like food is stuck in your throat or chest, or you may have trouble swallowing solid foods or liquids.
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Painful swallowing: You may experience pain or burning sensation in your chest or throat when you swallow food or drink.
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Chest pain: You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest that may radiate to your back, neck, jaw, or arms. This can sometimes be mistaken for a heart attack.
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Heartburn: You may feel a sour or bitter taste in your mouth or throat due to the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus.
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Regurgitation: You may vomit food or liquid that you have swallowed back into your mouth or throat.
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Nausea: You may feel sick to your stomach and lose your appetite.
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Weight loss: You may lose weight unintentionally due to reduced food intake or malabsorption of nutrients.
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Bleeding: You may cough up blood or notice blood in your stool due to erosion or ulceration of the esophageal lining.
Diagnosis of Esophagitis
If you have symptoms of esophagitis, you should see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment. In addition to asking you about your health history, symptoms, medications, and lifestyle habits, your doctor will also perform a physical examination and order tests to determine the cause of esophagitis. These tests may include:
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In endoscopy, a thin tube with a camera and light (called an endoscope) is inserted through your mouth and into your esophagus. This allows your doctor to see the inside of your esophagus and to take small tissue samples (called biopsies).
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During an esophageal sponge test, a capsule contains a sponge attached to a string. You swallow the capsule, which dissolves in your stomach, which releases the sponge, which is then pulled out of your mouth by your doctor. For examination under a microscope, the sponge collects cells from your esophageal lining.
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A barium X-ray involves drinking a liquid or taking a pill containing barium, which is a contrast agent that helps your doctor detect any abnormalities in your esophagus.
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These are tests that are done on tissue samples or blood samples taken from you. They can help your doctor diagnose any infections, allergies, or cancer that might be causing your esophagitis.
Treatment of Esophagitis
Esophagitis is treated based on the cause and severity of the condition. It aims to relieve symptoms, heal the lining of the esophagus, and prevent complications. Some of the common treatments include:
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Drugs that reduce or neutralize stomach acid (such as antacids, H2 blockers, or proton pump inhibitors) are among them. Drugs that treat infections (such as antibiotics, antivirals, or antifungals), drugs that suppress allergic reactions (such as corticosteroids or immunomodulators), and medications that protect the esophageal lining (such as sucralfate or prostaglandins).
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Dietary changes: These include avoiding foods or drinks that trigger or worsen acid reflux (such as spicy, fatty, acidic, or caffeinated foods and drinks), eating smaller and more frequent meals, avoiding lying down after eating, and elevating the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches.
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A severe case of esophagitis that does not respond to medications or lifestyle changes can be treated with surgery. In surgery, the lower esophageal sphincter can be repaired (called fundoplication), part of the esophagus can be removed (called an esophagectomy), or a narrowed esophagus can be widen (called a dilation).
Prevention of Esophagitis
The prevention of esophagitis mainly involves avoiding or minimizing the factors that cause or aggravate the condition. Some of the preventive measures are:
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Managing acid reflux: This includes following the dietary and lifestyle changes mentioned above, taking medications as prescribed by your doctor, and monitoring your symptoms regularly.
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Swallowing medications properly: This includes taking your pills with plenty of water, avoiding lying down for at least 30 minutes after taking them, and following the instructions on the label or from your doctor.
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Avoiding infections: This includes washing your hands frequently, avoiding contact with sick people, getting vaccinated for certain diseases, and taking antibiotics only when necessary.
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Avoiding allergies: This includes identifying and avoiding your allergens, taking antihistamines or other allergy medications as needed, and carrying an epinephrine injector if you have a severe allergy.
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Seeking medical attention: This includes seeing your doctor if you have symptoms of esophagitis, especially if they are persistent, severe, or accompanied by other signs such as bleeding, weight loss, or difficulty breathing.
It is important to understand the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of esophagitis in order to protect your esophagus and enjoy eating and drinking without pain.
