A comprehensive guide on esophagitis, its symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Esophagitis ain't no joke; it's inflammation of the esophagus, where food and drink travel from your mouth to your stomach. Got issues? Yeah, it can cause pain, nausea, and other complications like bleeding, pneumonia, or even tearing of the esophagus.
Treat this beast, and it's all good. No more inflammation and trigger-happy triggers like certain foods or allergens. For some folks, medication can lend a hand. Early diagnosis and swift treatment? That's a recipe for success.
Got a leaky lower esophageal sphincter? You might be dealing with GERD, aka reflux esophagitis. Your lower esophageal sphincter is the muscle ring at the bottom of your esophagus, keeping stomach acids from roaming up into your esophagus. If it doesn't do its job right, the acids might leak and irritate the esophagus,resulting in esophagitis. Everyone's got a little bit of reflux, but excess? That's where the trouble starts. GERD's not just about a malfunctioning muscle, though. Other factors can play a role, such as the presence of a hiatal hernia, acidic foods, or a knocked-out sleep routine.
Allergies might also be a culprit, triggering a reaction that raises the numbers of inflammation-causing white blood cells—eosinophils—in your esophagus. This overreaction can lead to esophagitis. Some medications can cause esophagitis, too, especially if they stay in contact with the esophageal lining for too long or if a large pill causes irritation as it is swallowed. Antacids, antibiotics, potassium supplements, and even some drugs for osteoporosis are common offenders. Lying down too soon after taking medication may keep drugs lingering, irritating the tissue.
Esophagitis can also be caused by infections or other issues, like alcohol abuse, radiation therapy, or chemical injury from ingested alkaline or acid solutions. In kids, esophagitis can lead to feeding difficulties and issues with growth and weight gain. Symptoms may include pain, difficulty swallowing, food stuff getting stuck, lack of appetite, nausea, vomiting, coughing, chest pain, heartburn, and mouth sores. Treatment depends on what caused the inflammation.
If you got GERD, your doc might prescribe acid blockers, medications that reduce gastric acid production, or even surgery to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter. For allergies, corticosteroids can help, as well as proton pump inhibitors for those with esophagitis caused by allergies and some reflux. Eliminating foods that trigger allergies or finding an appropriate alternative medication can also help. Infections, if present, require specific medications to fight the pathogen responsible. Severe strictures may require dilating the esophagus.
Risk factors for GERD include being overweight or obese, hiatal hernia, pregnancy, smoking, consuming certain foods and drinks, taking medications, lying down after a meal, and having a weakened immune system. Diagnostics might include Barium X-rays, endoscopy, tissue samples, and allergy tests to determine the cause of your esophagitis.
Enough talk, let's get ready to rumble with that esophagitis!
Resources:
- Akutagawa, K., et al. (2015). Risk factors for low response to proton-pump inhibitor treatment in reflux esophagitis and non-erosive reflux disease evaluated by the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Antunes, C., & Sharma, A. (2021). Esophagitis.
- Esophagitis and stricture. (2018).
- Furuta, G. T., et al. (2007). Eosinophilic esophagitis in children and adults: a systematic review and consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment: sponsored by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) Institute and North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
- GERD: Controlling Heartburn by Changing Your Habits. (2020).
- Pham, T. H, et al. (2014). Development and characterization of a surgical mouse model of reflux esophagitis and Barrett's esophagus.
- Saleem, F., & Sharma, A. (2021). Drug induced esophagitis.
- Allergies can trigger a response that leads to esophagitis, increasing the number of inflammation-causing white blood cells, eosinophils, in the esophagus.
- Although having some reflux is normal, excess reflux can cause GERD (reflux esophagitis), a chronic disease that irritates the esophagus and potentially leads to esophagitis.
- In children with esophagitis, it can result in feeding difficulties and issues with growth and weight gain.
- Severe esophagitis may require treatments such as dilating the esophagus, prescription of medications like acid blockers, or surgery to strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter.
- By eliminating trigger foods, finding an appropriate alternative medication, or taking Corticosteroids, some medical-conditions like allergies and their resulting esophagitis can be managed.
- A proper diagnosis of esophagitis is crucial in determining the right treatment and may involve Barium X-rays, endoscopy, tissue samples, and allergy tests, among others.
