Esophagitis (patient information)

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Esophagitis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Who is at highest risk?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Esophagitis?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Esophagitis On the Web

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Images of Esophagitis

Videos on Esophagitis

FDA on Esophagitis

CDC on Esophagitis

Esophagitis in the news

Blogs on Esophagitis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Esophagitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Esophagitis

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-In-Chief: Ajay Gade MD[2]]

Overview

Esophagitis is a general term for any inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the esophagus, the tube that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach.

What are the symptoms of Esophagitis?

The infection or irritation may cause the esophagus to become inflamed. Ulcers may form. Symptoms may include:

What causes Esophagitis?

Esophagitis is frequently caused by the backflow of acid-containing fluid from the stomach to the esophagus, a condition called gastroesophageal reflux. An autoimmune disorder called eosinophilic esophagitis also causes this condition. [1]

Esophageal infection may be due to fungi, yeast (especially Candida infections), or viruses such as herpes or cytomegalovirus.

Who is at highest risk?

The following increase your risk of esophagitis:

Persons with weakened immune systems due to HIV and certain medications (such as corticosteroids) may develop infections that lead to esophagitis.

Diagnosis

The doctor may perform the following tests:

  • Upper GI series (barium swallow x-ray)
  • Removal of a piece of tissue from the esophagus for examination (biopsy)

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of esophagitis.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the specific cause. Reflux disease may require medications to reduce acid. Infections will require antibiotics.

Medications to avoid

Patients diagnosed with reflux esophagitis should avoid using the following medications:

  • Dicyclomine
    If you have been diagnosed with reflux esophagitis, consult your physician before starting or stopping any of these medications.


Where to find medical care for Esophagitis?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Esophagitis

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The disorders that cause esophagitis usually respond to treatment.

Possible complications

If untreated, esophagitis may cause severe discomfort, and eventual scarring (stricture) of the esophagus. This can cause difficulty swallowing food or medications.

A condition called Barrett's esophagus can develop after years of gastroesophageal reflux. Rarely, Barrett's esophagus may lead to cancer of the esophagus.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001153.htm

References

  1. Orlando R. Diseases of the esophagus. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 140.

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