Esophagitis corresponds to inflammation of the esophagus, which is the channel that connects the mouth to the stomach, leading to the appearance of some symptoms, such as heartburn, bitter taste in the mouth and sore throat, for example. The inflammation of the esophagus can happen due to infections, gastritis and, mainly, gastric reflux, which happens when the acidic content of the stomach comes into contact with the esophageal mucosa, causing its inflammation. Learn more about gastric reflux.
Esophagitis can be classified into 4 main types according to its cause:
- Eosinophilic esophagitis, which is usually due to food allergies or some other toxic substance, leading to an increase in the amount of eosinophils in the blood; Medicated esophagitis, which can be developed due to the prolonged contact time of the medication with the lining of the esophagus; Reflux esophagitis, in which the acidic content of the stomach returns to the esophagus causing irritation; Esophagitis due to infections, which is the rarest type of esophagitis, but it can happen in people who have a weakened immune system due to illness or age, and is characterized by the presence of bacteria, fungi or viruses in the person's mouth or esophagus.
Regardless of the type of esophagitis, the disease should be treated according to the doctor's recommendation, and it may be indicated to use medications that decrease stomach acidity, for example. Esophagitis is curable when the person follows the medical recommendations and following an adequate diet.
Symptoms of esophagitis
The main symptoms of esophagitis are:
- Heartburn and constant burning, but it gets worse after meals; Bitter taste in the mouth; Bad breath; Chest pain; Sore throat; Hoarseness; Reflux of a bitter and salty liquid to the throat; There may be a small bleeding from the esophagus.
The diagnosis of esophagitis can be made by the gastroenterologist based on the symptoms and the result of tests such as upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy. Find out how the endoscopy is done and what the necessary preparation is.
According to the severity and progression of symptoms, esophagitis can be classified as erosive or non-erosive, which refers to the appearance of lesions in the esophagus that can appear if the inflammation is not identified and treated correctly. Erosive esophagitis usually occurs in more chronic cases of inflammation.
What causes
The causes of esophagitis can be related to:
- Hiatal hernia, which is a pocket that can be formed when a portion of the stomach passes through an orifice called a hiatus. Understand what hiatal hernia is; Defect in the valve that connects the esophagus to the stomach; Frequent vomiting, as in bulimia. Find out what are the main symptoms of bulimia; Ingestion of chemicals that are unfit for consumption; AIDS, which can cause esophagitis due to the decrease in the immune system, allowing the occurrence of infections, as well as the frequent use of medications; Development of infections caused by viruses, fungi or bacteria; Gastritis, which is characterized by inflammation of the stomach walls. See what are the symptoms, causes and treatment of gastritis.
The people who are most likely to suffer from esophagitis are those who are overweight, those who consume excess alcohol and those who have a compromised immune system. Learn about other diseases that affect the esophagus and how to identify it.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of esophagitis must be established by the doctor and the use of acid-inhibiting drugs, such as omeprazole or esomeprazole, is usually indicated, in addition to the indication of a more adequate diet and changes in lifestyle, such as avoiding bedtime. after meals. In more rare cases, surgery may be recommended.
To avoid esophagitis, it is recommended not to lie down after meals, to avoid consuming carbonated and alcoholic beverages, in addition to spicy and fatty foods. If esophagitis is not treated correctly, there may be some complications, such as the presence of ulcers in the esophagus, precancerous changes in the esophageal lining and narrowing of an area of the esophagus, which makes it difficult to eat solid foods. Find out if esophagitis can be cured.
