Esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus): medications, symptoms, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is esophagitis?

Esophagitis is inflammation or irritation that occurs in the wall of the esophagus, aka the esophagus.

The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth and stomach. Once crushed in your mouth, the food you swallow passes through this channel.

If left untreated, inflammation can cause discomfort, swallowing problems, and the formation of sores on the esophageal wall. Apart from being the cause of difficulty swallowing and pain, this condition also sometimes causes chest pain.

In certain cases, esophagitis that is not treated properly can lead to a complication called Barrett's esophagus. This is a condition when the cells that make up the esophagus are damaged until their appearance changes.

Esophagitis is common in adults and rarely seen in children. The most common types of inflammation are those associated with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) or commonly known as acid reflux disease.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of esophagitis?

Inflammation and irritation of the esophagus can cause a variety of symptoms. However, the most common signs include:

• difficulty swallowing,
• pain when swallowing,
• sore throat,
• hoarseness,
• cough,
• heartburn (burning sensation in the chest due to increased stomach acid),
• chest pain that gets worse when eating,
• nausea and vomiting,
• stomach pain, and
• reduced appetite.

There may still be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, try to consult your doctor.

When to see a doctor?

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms.

• Chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes, especially if you have a history of heart problems, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
• Shortness of breath or heartburn, especially when not eating.
• Symptoms continue for more than a few days.
• Symptoms are severe and interfere with proper eating ability.
• There are also symptoms of headache, muscle aches, or fever.
• You suspect food is stuck in the esophagus.
• You can't drink any water.

Each person may exhibit a variety of symptoms, as well as the symptoms listed above. If you have any worrisome symptoms or have any questions, consult your doctor.

Cause

What causes esophagitis?

There are four main factors that can cause esophageal inflammation. In certain cases, the causative factors can appear simultaneously. Here are the factors.

1. GERD

GERD (stomach acid reflux) is a condition characterized by the increase in stomach acid back into the esophagus.

If allowed to continue, stomach acid can damage the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation and irritation.

2. Eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophils are white blood cells that play an important role in allergic reactions. Eosinophilic esophagitis occurs when the number of eosinophils in the esophagus is too high. This may be triggered by the body's reaction to an allergen, stomach acid, or both.

Most people with this condition have certain food allergies. Some foods that can cause eosinophilic esophagitis includes milk, eggs, wheat, soybeans, nuts, rye, and beef.

Even so, people who experienced eosinophilic esophagitis can also have other non-food allergies. For example, allergies to inhaled substances such as pollen, dust mites, animal hair, and so on.

3. Esophagitis triggered by drug consumption

Certain oral medications can cause tissue damage if they come into contact with the esophagus too often.

Especially if you frequently swallow pills with little or no water. Residual medication can remain in the esophagus and cause inflammation.

Medicines that have been linked to the esophagus include:

• pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium,
• antibiotics such as tetracycline and doxycycline,
• potassium chloride which is used to treat potassium deficiency,
• some drugs for the treatment of brittle bones, as well
• quinidine which is used to treat heart problems.

4. Infection

Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections of the esophageal tissue can cause esophagitis.

However, this condition is relatively rare and is more common in people with reduced immune system function, such as people with HIV / AIDS or cancer.

Fungi that are generally found in the mouth like Candida albicans is a common cause of infectious esophagitis. These infections are often associated with immune system disorders, diabetes, cancer, and antibiotic use.

What increases the risk of this disease?

There are a number of factors that can increase a person's risk of developing esophageal inflammation. Here are among them.

• Weakened immune system due to HIV / AIDS, diabetes, leukemia, lymphoma, or autoimmune disorders.
• Hiatal hernia, which is when the upper part of the stomach pushes against the diaphragm.
• Chemotherapy treatment.
• Radiation therapy to the chest.
• Surgery on the chest area.
• Take medication to prevent organ rejection.
• Take aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Chronic vomiting.
• Obesity.
• Consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.

If you have a strong immune system, you are less likely to get an infection of the esophagus.

Diagnosis and treatment

How is esophagitis diagnosed?

The doctor will first study your medical history first. After that, the doctor will determine the appropriate examination for you. The types of examinations that are commonly carried out are as follows.

• Upper endoscopy. An endoscope uses a long, flexible tube equipped with a flashlight called an endoscope to view the esophagus.
• Biopsy. In this test, a small sample of esophageal tissue is taken and then sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope.
• Barium enema. During a barium enema, an esophageal x-ray is taken after you have taken the barium solution. Barium coats the lining of the esophagus and looks white on an X-ray.

How to treat esophagitis?

The treatment given depends on the specific cause of your symptoms. Doctors generally provide drugs in the form of:

• antiviral drugs,
• antifungal medication,
• antacids,
• pain reliever,
• oral steroids, and
• proton pump inhibitors (PPI).

In order to treat inflammation caused by drugs, doctors will usually recommend changing medications.

You may also need to drink more water, use liquid medicines, and not lie down after taking the medicine.

If the cause of your esophagitis is food, identify trigger foods and avoid consuming them. Trigger foods that increase stomach acid production are tomatoes, citrus fruits, spicy foods, alcohol, and onions.

You can also relieve symptoms by avoiding spicy foods, acidic foods and drinks, and raw foods (such as steaks cooked raw) and hard. Try to eat smaller pieces and chew them until they are mashed.

You should avoid tobacco and alcohol because they can trigger inflammation and reduce immune function. If the esophagus is narrowed, esophageal dilation surgery may be necessary.

Prevention

What can be done at home to prevent esophagitis?

Below are some of the lifestyle and home remedies that can help you prevent and treat inflammation of the esophagus.

• Avoid spicy foods that use pepper, chili powder, curry, and nutmeg.
• Avoid hard foods such as nuts, crackers, and raw vegetables.
• Avoid acidic foods and drinks, such as tomatoes, oranges, grapefruit, and juices from these fruits.
• Add soft foods to your diet.
• Eat smaller pieces and chew the food until it's smooth.
• Drink fluids with a straw so you can swallow easily.
• Avoid alcohol and tobacco.

Esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus that can be caused by GERD, excessive drug consumption, and infection. This condition can be overcome through medication and by avoiding the risk factors.