Esophagitis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Esophagitis is a condition in which the esophageal mucosa becomes inflamed. The esophagus or esophagus is an organ that functions to distribute food from the mouth to the stomach. Esophagitis can damage the esophageal tissue.
Inflammation of the mucosa can occur acutely or chronically. This condition can cause various complaints, ranging from difficulty and pain when swallowing, heartburn, and canker sores.
Esophagitis should be treated immediately. If left unchecked and not treated properly, this condition can worsen and cause narrowing of the esophagus.
Symptom
A person with esophagitis will complain of various symptoms such as:
- Heartburn (epigastric) pain
- Swallowing pain
- Chest pain, especially behind the breastbone, that occurs when eating
- Swallowed food gets stuck in the esophagus
Esophagitis that occurs in children can make it difficult for them to swallow food, including breast milk. If left unchecked, this can interfere with the growth and development of children.
Reason
Inflammation of the esophagus can be caused by many things. There are several causes of esophagitis, namely:
- Reflux esophagitis is inflammation of the esophageal mucosa caused by reflux of gastric juice or esophageal duodenum. Stomach acid can back up from the stomach into the esophagus and cause esophageal irritation.
- Infectious esophagitis. There are several infectious agents that can cause inflammation of the esophagus. Herpes virus and fungal infections can cause inflammation of the esophagus.
- Corrosive esophagitis. This occurs due to the entry of corrosive materials into the esophagus. Ingestion of corrosive substances (eg floor cleaners) can occur as a result of an accident or a suicide attempt.
If a corrosive substance causes inflammation of the esophagus, it can cause a stricture or narrowing of the esophagus. This will cause difficulty in food intake in patients.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of esophagitis can be determined by conducting a medical interview and physical examination. Sufferers will complain of pain when swallowing, pain in the pit of the stomach or a feeling of a lump when swallowing food. On physical examination, there will be tenderness in the solar plexus.
A definite examination to support esophagitis is to perform a binocular examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract. In this gastrointestinal telescope, you will see reddish lesions on the esophageal mucosa.
If the cause of this esophageal inflammation is a yeast infection, you will see a whitish plaque in the esophagus. In esophagitis due to corrosive materials, the esophageal lumen can experience strictures or narrowing.
Treatment
There are several things that can be done to treat esophagitis. But keep in mind that in the treatment of esophagitis, it is very important to treat the cause.
Giving stomach acid-suppressing drugs can be done to suppress stomach acid and the risk of acid reflux. In esophagitis due to fungal infections, administration of antifungal drugs can cure this fungal infection of the esophagus.
If there is a narrowing of the esophagus that is severe enough, then it is likely that the doctor will perform surgery to widen the esophagus.
Prevention
Esophagitis prevention is to avoid the cause. Avoid smoking and keep your weight within the ideal weight range. Use stomach acid suppressants. Do not try to swallow corrosive substances that can injure your esophagus.
If you suffer from acid reflux, there are several things you can do to reduce acid reflux. For example by raising the position of the head while sleeping and avoiding eating before bedtime.