Esophagitis has many causes and is recognized with the gastroesophageal reflux that occurs, since redness and swelling occurs in the inner lining of the esophagus and therefore a sensation of heartburn in the chest and stomach is obtained.
Although the main symptoms are associated with the reflux condition, it does not respond to treatment effectively. Therefore, it has an inflammatory response produced by antigens that were probably consumed in food and allergens present in the environment.
Then, in the following article, we will delve more into what esophagitis is, its symptoms, types, causes, and the corresponding treatments.
What is esophagitis?
Dr. Jaime Dominguez in his thesis entitled ” Nissen fundoplication by laparoscopy “ , defines esophagitis as a benign pathology of the esophagus that between 6 and 10% of the population experiences and presents symptoms related to reflux.
The symptoms can vary from mild to chronic and the abnormality begins from excessive exposure to gastric juices, altering the sensitivity of the gastrointestinal mucosa and causing regurgitation, among the most common.
symptoms of esophagitis
Esophagitis presents different symptoms, which can help identify it and differentiate it from other stomach conditions.
Each of them are different from the various etymologies, but below we describe the ones that most coincide among all the variations.
Heartburn
It is defined by Javier Alcedo and Fermín Mearin in their research as a burning sensation that rises from the stomach to the neck.
It normally presents with regurgitation and in 70% of cases where both symptoms occur at the same time, it is because the pathology exists.
Problems swallowing food
The esophagus is the tube that transports food to the stomach, so as it is an inflammation of the tissues of this duct, pain and discomfort occurs when swallowing food and even saliva. Ulcers and bleeding may occur.
chest pain when eating
The location is usually in a central position and of a nature that does not allow it to respond to antacids.
This chest pain, but of esophageal origin, is studied by the Gastroenterology Service and it is explained that it is produced by the reflux of the acid content of the stomach into the esophagus.
Food jam in the esophagus
This symptom is usually characteristic of eosinophilic esophagitis . In it, food gets stuck in the throat due to inflammation and leads to problems swallowing correctly.
Vomiting of stomach acid
Many times the reflux of stomach fluids is the cause of esophagitis, although it also sometimes happens that the content rises into the esophagus when vomiting occurs and there is not much content to expel. It is also caused by shortness of breath and excessive exertion when vomiting.
cough and nausea
The cough associated with this pathology is usually in adult patients. And, although it is not related to any disease of a respiratory nature, it can present chronic symptoms, which until now are inexplicable with certainty.
In fact, in studies such as “ Gastro-oesophageal reflux treatment for prolonged non-specific cough in children and adults ” , it is classified as non-specific.
Weight loss and appetite
Due to the difficulty in swallowing, the discomfort caused by inflammation and all the symptoms that this disease entails, loss of appetite is one of the most common elements in patients. Loss of appetite is a direct reason for weight loss.
Causes of esophagitis
Although esophagitis has the same pathological principle in all its derivations, the causes or triggers of it are different. Below we mention and explain each of them for a better understanding and recognition.
Gastroesophageal reflux
It occurs from valve failure. This allows the regression of stomach fluids that irritates the tissue and leads to esophagitis. This produces bothersome symptoms, complications, and alters the patient’s quality of life.
Fungal or viral infections
It develops above all in weakened immune systems. It is caused by fungi, yeasts, bacteria. These are responsible for developing an infection, weakening the barriers of the body system or altering the flora.
In this sense, the scientific article on Infectious esophagitis lists the infectious organisms associated with this pathology, arranged into categories of fungi, viruses and bacteria.
Excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarette
They are potential causes of esophagitis due to their components and their ability to weaken the immune system. At the very least, make it vulnerable in certain circumstances.
Alcohol is a trigger for reflux and heartburn, so it is usually required to eliminate it and in potential patients to reduce it until it is completely achieved.
Consumption of certain medications
There are some medications that help to induce esophagitis. They contribute to its development even through misuses such as:
- Take pills with little or no water.
- Take medication just before bed.
- Pills too big.
- Advanced age, due to muscle movement to swallow and less saliva production.
Medications that usually cause this type of consequences and even stomach ulcers can be doxycycline, aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, excess iron and vitamin C, etc.
constant vomiting
In the Peer-Reviewed Biomedical Journal, a research article entitled: “Chronic vomiting and gastroesophageal reflux” can be obtained , where the chronicity of this symptom or its high incidence produces irritation and infection of the walls and mucous membranes.
lie down after eating
It happens that eating immediately before going to bed and especially if it has been an excessive meal, is not a good idea. This situation increases the possibility of reflux.
Greasy and abundant meals
Fat slows down digestion, which stimulates the production of stomach acids, leading to discomfort, pain, and heartburn. This type of food also facilitates the relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which drastically influences the chances of reflux.
hiatal hernia
For Heraldo Saludable , an article developed with the title “ Can a late dinner cause reflux? ” , it is explained that a hiatal hernia can affect the mobility of the valve and alter us anatomically.
This condition has the ability to push the diaphragm muscle upwards, therefore it would also affect the correct movement of our esophageal tract and produce a serious reflux of acid substances.
Surgeries or treatments in the thorax
Although there are these types of treatments in a corrective way, it is also important to mention that situations unrelated to esophagitis that require this type of instance, can result in changes in the motility of our esophagus and end up in esophagitis.
Types of esophagitis
Esophagitis produces involuntary effects on the internal esophageal sphincter and upper esophageal sphincter, allowing them to open and produce unnecessary flow returns that can damage the stability of our flora.
Esophagitis is distinguished, based on the reasons that cause or trigger it, and we will describe them more precisely below.
reflux esophagitis
This type of esogafitis is produced by an imbalance between the defensive and aggressive factors of the intestinal mucosa. It affects the quality of life of the patient and can be a passage of the content due to regurgitation or vomiting.
The valve that fails is known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and is the one that, when it fails, allows liquids that belong to the stomach (including food residue) to return to the esophagus and cause tissue damage.
infectious esophagitis
This is known as infectious esophagitis and is when some bacteria is the reason for the pathology. They are more common in immunocompromised patients, but healthy people do not escape these situations.
In the research work by Alfonso Barrios, they mention among the possible causes:
- herpes simplex virus
- Candida spp
- candida albicans
Taking antibiotics can also be a reason for the increased risk of contracting it.
eosinophilic esophagitis
It has a greater influence in the pediatric area, and is characterized mainly by being an inflammatory allergic condition due to eosinophilic infiltration. According to studies , including that of Serrano Pablo et al., it is usually associated with ingested antigens.
The clinical case differs in symptomatology depending on age. This type of esophagitis began to be recognized in the last two decades and is considered one of the main causes of diseases in the digestive tract.
Being a condition caused by allergens, it is very common for diseases such as atopic dermatitis or rhinitis to also occur, since leukocyte leaks occur.
lymphocytic esophagitis
It is rare and consists of an increase in lymphocytes in the lining of the stomach. It is even newer than eosinophilic esophagitis and was described in 2006 as a lymphocytic infiltration.
This type of esophagitis has been linked to autoimmune diseases and medication use.
drug esophagitis
Excess medication of certain types can trigger inflammation in the stomach lining and lead to drug-induced esophagitis.
This particular esophagitis compromises gastrointestinal integrity, since it can lead to superficial mucosal damage and bleeding.
Treatment for esophagitis
Treatments are mainly focused on reducing acidity and restoring again the damage that could have occurred during the period of illness. Lifestyle changes are always recommended with any type of treatment imposed, below we specify them better.
Medications prescribed by specialist
The treatment prescribed by a doctor always begins with antacids and can escalate to the need for surgery (even if the small intestine is affected), as part of the treatment. Adequate hydration and analgesic consumption should be maintained.
In some types of esophagitis, steroid or antiviral drugs are required, depending on the nature of the pathology. Alternative medicine is also used such as potato juices that help control the acidity of gastric juices.
In the investigation entitled: ” Gastroesophageal reflux disease and its complications “ , it is stated that the procedure consists of four basic steps for satisfactory recovery, these are:
- symptom control
- Injury healing.
- Prevention of residing and complications.
- Avoid progression.
Avoid large and fatty meals
As we previously mentioned in the article, consuming fatty foods causes a decrease in metabolism and food digestion, so when it slows down we are exposed to gastric juices for a longer time and more discomfort occurs.
Avoid drinking coffee and alcoholic beverages
Reducing, and if possible eliminating, the consumption of these substances will help prevent complications and recurrences with the vulnerability that is given to the body.
Consume foods rich in fiber
The fiber helps soften the mucosa, also decreases the symptoms of gastric reflux (cereals, oats, zucchini, etc). It should not be consumed in excess because the excessive requirement for digestion causes discomfort in esophagitis patients.
Avoid lying down after eating
Exaggerated meals, sleeping position and drinking hot drinks can increase stomach acidity. All these cares must be taken from the first months of life to prevent reflux from becoming a gastrointestinal disease.
They even recommend sleeping on the left side to produce a vacuum in the stomach and avoid the feeling of heartburn and alter our sleep cycle.
Keep a meal schedule
Constant meals to avoid excess intake is important, for all that we have previously justified. Taking control and order in the intake of meals to avoid spending too much time on an empty stomach are also aspects that will protect our intestinal health.\
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And in addition to that, they will take care of the exposure of the gastric mucosa to juices without food to process. Seek medical attention in the presence of symptoms or conditions related to this pathology, it is very important to protect our well-being.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.