Esophagitis, inflammation of the lining of the esophagus, that tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach, can get pretty uncomfortable if left untreated. Untreated esophagitis can cause problems swallowing, ulcers and even scarring of the esophagus. If complications occur, esophagitis could lead to development of so-called %26quot;Barrett's esophagus%26quot;, which predisposes a patient to the cancer of the esophagus.Most people will not let esophagitis complicate simply because the condition itself is so annoying and hard to live with, that they would do anything to get rid of it. The discomfort esophagitis causes certainly decreases quality of life and enables the sufferers from being productive in regard to activities and work.
Some of the symptoms esophagitis sufferers may experience are
%26bull; a burning sensation in the lower chest immediately after swallowing hot fluids, alcohol, concentrated fruit juice or hot fatty foods, such as bacon and eggs.
%26bull; a burning sensation after any meal, especially when lying down
%26bull; regurgitation (food or fluid may coming back up into the mouth) when lying down or at nights causing choking sensations in the sleep
The warning signs of esophagitis may vary depending on the cause of the inflammation.
They are:
%26bull; Difficult or painful swallowing
%26bull; Heartburn
%26bull; Mouth sores
%26bull; A feeling of something of being stuck in the throat
%26bull; Nausea
%26bull; Vomiting
%26bull; Bleeding
%26bull; Black stools
%26bull; Anemia
%26bull; Blood vomiting
Severe cases may be presented with ulcerated esophagus with severe pain and narrowing of the esophagus due to scarring.
Causes
Esophagitis can be caused by an infection or irritation in the esophagus by bacteria, viruses, fungi or diseases that weaken the immune system.
Infections:
%26bull; Candida %26ndash; the same type of fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections. It usually develops in people with weak immune systems (such as in people with diabetes or HIV). This infection is treatable with antifungal drugs.
%26bull; Herpes is a viral infection that also develops in the esophagus when the body's immune system is weak. It is treated with antiviral drugs.
Irritations:
%26bull; GERD - backflow of acid-containing fluid from the stomach to the esophagus
%26bull; Vomiting
%26bull; Surgery
%26bull; Drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, potassium, alendronate, and doxycycline.
%26bull; Radiation injury (after receiving radiation for cancer treatment)
%26bull; Swallowing a toxic substance
%26bull; Hiatus Hernias
How long does Esophagitis last?
As with anything else, it is individual depending on how hard you are willing to try to get rid of it. Heartburn, which is the most common symptom, may last for several weeks, months and even longer if not properly addressed. It can even re-occur.
Diagnosis
After reviewing your medical history and thorough physical examination, your doctor can order a few additional tests. They are:
%26bull; Upper endoscopy where an endoscope, a long, flexible lighted tube, is used as a tool to look at the esophagus.
%26bull; Biopsy, during which your doctor takes a small sample of the esophageal tissue and sends it to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope.
%26bull; Upper GI series (barium swallow) during which x-rays of the esophagus are taken after drinking a barium solution. This test enables your doctor to view if there were any abnormalities of the esophagus.
Treatment
Treatment for esophagitis depends on its cause.
To block acid production, heartburn drugs may be used
To treat infections, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, antifungals or antivirals
To ease the discomfort and pain, you may get pain medications to gargle or swallow
To reduce inflammation, corticosteroid medications are given
If damage to the esophagus occurred, a surgery may be ordered to remove the damaged part
Proton pump inhibitors may be ordered to reduce the production of acid in the stomach by acting on cells in the stomach wall that make acid and release it into the stomach.
Acid suppressants, such as histamine2-receptor antagonists (blockers) to reduce acid production.
Prokinetic agents to increase the ability of the stomach to empty.
Since it may take some time for the treatment to become effective, certain measures can be taken to manage and ease the symptoms:
%26bull; Avoid spicy foods such as pepper, chili powder, curry and nutmeg.
%26bull; Avoid hard foods such as nuts, crackers and raw vegetables.
%26bull; Avoid acidic foods and beverages such as tomatoes, oranges, grapefruits and their juices. Instead, try imitation fruit drinks with vitamin C.
%26bull; Add more soft foods such as applesauce, cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, custards, puddings and high protein shakes to your diet.
%26bull; Take small bites and chew food thoroughly.
%26bull; Tilt your head upward so the food flows to the back of the throat before swallowing.
%26bull; Avoid eating for 2 hours before going to bed.
%26bull; Eliminate excessive bending, lifting, abdominal exercises, girdles, and tight belts, all of which increase abdominal pressure and provoke reflux.
%26bull; If overweight, lose weight. Being overweight causes reflux.
%26bull; Use a straw when drinking liquids
%26bull; Limit or even better avoid alcohol, tobacco and caffeine as they will only worsen your symptoms
%26bull; Elevate the head of the bed 8%26quot; to 10%26quot; by placing pillows or a wedge under the upper part of the mattress. In this way, gravity helps keep stomach juices out of the esophagus during sleep.
Prognosis for esophagitis?
The causes of esophagitis usually respond to treatment, however some causes, such as acid reflux, may require long-term treatment.
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