Any esophageal inflammation or irritation is referred to as esophagitis. The tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach is the oesophagus. Acid reflux, adverse drug reactions, and bacterial or viral infections are examples of common causes. Reflux occurs when stomach acids and contents flow backward into the oesophagus.
Esophagitis treatment is based on the underlying cause and degree of tissue damage. Esophagitis affects the lining of the oesophagus and interferes with its ability to carry food and liquids from your mouth to your stomach if left untreated. Esophagitis can also result in side effects like swallowing difficulties and esophageal scarring or constriction.
Aster Hospitals is one of the best gastroenterology hospitals in Dubai.
Types of Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis
Too many eosinophils in the oesophagus cause eosinophilic esophagitis. This occurs when your body overreacts to an allergen. This can make eating difficult for children. According to Boston Children's Hospital, one out of every 10,000 children has this type of esophagitis.
Common triggers include milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
Reflux esophagitis
The most common cause of reflux esophagitis is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When stomach contents, such as acids, frequently back up into the oesophagus, GERD occurs. This causes chronic esophageal inflammation and irritation.
Drug-induced esophagitis
When you take certain medications without drinking enough water, you can develop drug-induced esophagitis. This causes medications to stay in the oesophagus for an extended period of time.
Infectious esophagitis
Esophagitis can be caused by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection in esophageal tissues. Infectious esophagitis is uncommon and most commonly occurs in people with compromised immune systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or cancer.
Candida albicans, a fungus found in the mouth, is a common cause of infectious esophagitis. Infections of this type are frequently associated with a weakened immune system, diabetes, cancer, or the use of steroid or antibiotic medications.
Symptoms
Some of the common symtpoms include:
· Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
· Pain when you swallow (odynophagia)
· Sore throat
· Hoarse voice
· Heartburn
· Acid reflux
· Chest pain (worse with eating)
· Nausea
· Vomiting
If you experience these symptoms, consult the best gastroenterologist in Dubai.
What are the risk factors associated with Esophagitis?
The following are risk factors for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and thus risk factors for reflux esophagitis:
· Eating right before going to bed
· Excess alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and mint-flavoured foods are all dietary factors
· Meals that are excessively large and fatty
· Smoking
· Extra weight, including pregnancy weight
Without treatment, chronic esophagitis can cause esophageal narrowing or tissue damage. If the cells lining your oesophagus have changed as a result of chronic acid exposure, you are more likely to develop esophageal cancer.
If left untreated, esophagitis can cause structural changes in the oesophagus.
You can reduce your chances of getting esophagitis again by avoiding known triggers.
Your outlook is determined by the cause and your overall health. The majority of people improve with treatment. Even without treatment, healthy people usually recover in three to five days. If you have a weakened immune system, recovery may take longer.