Esophagitis

A Esophagitis or Esophagitis is caused by wrong eating habits, stress or a weak sphincter muscle at the transition to the stomach. The delicate mucous membrane is damaged and can cause pain and discomfort when swallowing. Esophagitis can be treated with diet, medication or, in severe cases, surgery.

What is esophagitis?

A Inflammation of the gullet (esophagitis) occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed. The esophagitis can be acute or chronic. In most cases the lower third of the esophagus is affected, where the connection to the stomach is.

The esophagus is a tube of muscle and tissue that connects your mouth to your stomach. The skin of the esophagus is made up of different layers of tissue. The outermost layer is a muscle layer, followed by a connective tissue layer, in which there are glands for the production of mucus.

This slimy substance is released onto the innermost layer so that food slips more easily when swallowed, but also as protection for the mucous membrane. If stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus from the stomach or if fungi, viruses or accidentally swallowed sharp objects penetrate, this can lead to esophagitis.

causes

At a Esophagitis there can be various causes. The most common trigger is a lack of closure of the transition to the stomach. Usually, the lower esophageal sphincter prevents stomach acid from flowing into the esophagus. But if the muscle is damaged or too weak, if too much stomach acid is produced through improper nutrition or if there is a tumor disease in the stomach, then it is possible that the closure no longer works properly.

Obesity or pregnancy can also trigger increased pressure on the gastric obstruction. The stomach acid then flows into the esophagus and attacks the sensitive mucous membrane there. An inflammation of the esophagus is the result.

Another possible cause is accidental ingestion of sharp objects or corrosive substances or improper use of medication. A fungal infection or the invasion of viruses can also cause esophagitis.

Symptoms, Ailments & Signs

Inflammation of the esophagus can manifest itself through a number of symptoms. Typically, heartburn and acid regurgitation occur, combined with severe pain when swallowing. Often times, esophagitis is also associated with an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Those affected have a correspondingly strong bad breath and an overall very dry, slightly irritated mouth.

The symptoms can cause insomnia. This often results in other health problems, such as fatigue, upset and concentration disorders. Those affected also describe a feeling of pressure behind the breastbone, which, like the symptoms mentioned, mainly occurs after meals.

In particular, the consumption of sweet or spicy food leads to an acute increase in symptoms, accompanied by additional pain in the esophagus. Severe pain can also occur in the epigastric region, which becomes worse when touched and after eating. The inflammation can also cause a dry cough, hoarseness, nausea and vomiting, and fever.

The complaints increase when lying down as well as when pressing or during physical exertion. If the esophagitis is treated early, the symptoms will subside within a week. If not treated, the symptoms increase and there is a risk that the inflammation will spread to the lungs and airways.

Diagnosis & course

The first complaints with one Esophagitis are burning in the esophagus and pain when swallowing. The swallowing movements are difficult, you have the feeling that the chyme is scratching your esophagus, is stuck and cannot move quickly down to the stomach.

Sometimes there is also a burning sensation behind the breastbone. You have a bad taste in your mouth and often have to burp sour. The latter is a sign of insufficient closure of the stomach, the most common cause of esophagitis. Symptoms usually appear after eating or after drinking carbonated beverages. You can also feel pain and pressure in the upper abdomen when bending over or doing strenuous activities.

To check whether there is an inflammation of the esophagus, the doctor will first ask about the medical history. As a rule, a gastroscopy is then carried out, in which the condition of the mucous membrane is examined. In addition, the acid content in the esophagus is measured using a probe that is inserted through the nose.

Complications

An untreated inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) can become chronic. The inflammation, which is constant or occurs at short intervals, leads in many cases to the formation of ulcers. These constrict the esophagus and become noticeable in the form of swallowing difficulties, a feeling of pressure behind the breastbone and cramp-like pain.

A dreaded complication is the so-called beret esophagus in particular: this change in the mucous membrane associated with a narrowing in the lower area of ​​the esophagus represents a preliminary stage of esophageal cancer. A carcinoma of the esophagus tends to grow into the surrounding tissue and to the formation of secondary tumors in lymph nodes and other organs .

If the lining of the esophagus becomes very irritated due to chronic inflammation or tissue growth, it can start to bleed. If large areas are affected, the bleeding can become life-threatening. Drinking acids or alkalis can cause acute esophagitis that requires immediate intensive care. In the worst case, the wall of the esophagus ruptures and fluid gets into the chest - the resulting inflammation of the middle skin can be fatal.

Even if a chemical burn is treated successfully, scarring is often inevitable; depending on the severity, this can significantly impair food intake. When treating esophagitis, the side effects of certain medications can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis or kidney disease.

When should you go to the doctor?

For laypeople, esophagitis cannot be distinguished from normal heartburn. Therefore, a visit to the doctor is recommended for several reasons if a burning sensation or pain is felt in the esophagus. On the one hand, when a burning sensation cannot be associated with a certain event such as the consumption of spicy food or alcohol or stressful experiences.

On the other hand, even if the pain or burning sensation persists over a longer period of time and cannot be completely eliminated with home remedies or over-the-counter medicines. A change in the nature of the pain or a sudden, significant change in the symptoms is also a reason for a visit to the doctor. Anyone who has ever had an esophagitis is also in good hands with a doctor in order to rule out a possible recurrence or to detect it at an early stage.

The contact person for esophagitis is the family doctor, and consequently also the internist and gastroenterologist. A naturopath can also be consulted if the inflammation recurs chronically and should be treated with naturopathic remedies. However, the basis of every therapy is a solid diagnosis. It is therefore important to see a doctor at an early stage when the symptoms start in order to diagnose esophagitis or even heartburn. In both cases, early action is optimal for successful treatment of the symptoms.

Treatment & Therapy

There are different options one Esophagitis to treat. First of all, you should pay attention to the right diet and, if necessary, change your diet. Particular attention must be paid to which foods are causing the symptoms and then replace them with more tolerable ones. Carbonated drinks, sour fruit juices, black coffee and alcohol should be consumed as little as possible.

The last meal should not be eaten right before bed. Several small meals are also more tolerable than a few large ones. Furthermore, the esophagitis can be treated with medication. Active ingredients are used which bind gastric acid and thus take away its caustic properties. There are also acid formation inhibitors that reduce the production of stomach acid.

If the esophagitis is very severe, surgical interventions are available for treatment. Here, the lower sphincter is narrowed in an endoscopic procedure. For this purpose, instruments are inserted through small incisions in the upper abdomen up to the gastric portal, with which a kind of cuff is then placed around the gastric portal and the sphincter muscle. This pulls the sphincter together and can completely close the stomach again. There are other surgical techniques, but the previous one is the most effective measure for esophagitis.

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prevention

To one Esophagitis To prevent it, it is advisable to pay attention to a healthy diet. Both well-tolerated food and the right amount of food should be on the menu. Excessive alcohol consumption and excessive seasoning should be avoided. A balanced, low-stress life, a balanced diet and sufficient time to eat are the best measures to prevent esophagitis.

Aftercare

In the case of esophagitis, the patient has few follow-up measures available. First and foremost, an early diagnosis and subsequent treatment should be carried out so that complications and other symptoms do not develop in the further course. The earlier a doctor is contacted about the esophagitis, the better the further course of the disease will usually be.

Therefore, a doctor should be contacted at the first symptoms and signs. In general, the cause of esophagitis should be avoided entirely, in some cases identifying and treating the underlying disease first. Only then can this inflammation itself be completely healed. Most of those affected are dependent on taking various medications.

The prescribed dosage and regular intake should always be observed in order to counteract the symptoms correctly. If anything is unclear or if you have any questions, you should always consult a doctor first. Those affected should have regular examinations and checks by a doctor during treatment in order to detect any further damage early on. The further course of esophagitis is generally unpredictable, although in some cases the disease can reduce the life expectancy of those affected.

You can do that yourself

In many cases, esophagitis is caused or promoted by the behavior of the patient. It is therefore easily accessible to self-help, although severe cases always require treatment by a doctor (family doctor or internist).

The rise of stomach acid into the esophagus, known as reflux, is often the cause of the inflammatory disease. The reflux can be positively influenced by the patient by not consuming too large portions during meals and by avoiding sweet and hot foods in the acute phase of the inflammation. The consumption of alcohol and nicotion also has an unfavorable effect and is not advisable in the case of esophagitis or the disposition to this disease.

The risk of reflux is particularly high in the supine position. It is therefore best to choose the position when sleeping so that the upper body is a little higher. Eating right before bed is not advisable. Home remedies can also be used as part of self-help. A handful of oatmeal, which can be swallowed dry and can bind the acid, often helps against heartburn.

Be careful with beverages as well. In addition to alcohol, sugary drinks, coffee and carbonated water are also unfavorable. Those affected are best served by still mineral water or unsweetened herbal teas. Orange juice is also not advisable because of the fruit acid.