Esophagitis - what is it? Esophagitis: symptoms and treatment

Regardless of the etiology, specialists define the inflammation of the esophagus by the general term "esophagitis". What does this pathological condition represent? What symptoms can indicate an illness? How to deal with it? All this we will discuss in the article.

Types of esophagitis

All cases of inflammation of the esophagus in medicine are systematized, which helps, focusing on the duration of the disease, its severity and the place of the pathological process, to make an accurate diagnosis. Thus, depending on the nature of the disease, esophagitis is divided into acute and chronic. The degree of severity of the disease is catarrhal (i.e., superficial) and erosive (in this case, the patient has deep layers of the mucous membrane) esophagitis. Depending on the location of the inflamed area in the esophageal mucosa, the ailment is total (if the entire esophagus is affected), the proximal (inflammation of the upper section) and distal reflux esophagitis (pathology in the lower esophagus).

Acute, subacute and chronic form of the disease

The most common is the acute form of esophagitis. Inflammation can be both superficial and deep, but always differs by the suddenness and rapidity of development of manifestations. Such inflammation develops due to burns of the mucous membrane caused by the ingestion of hot food, drink or chemicals, transmitted infectious diseases (for example, diphtheria), foreign body injuries or radiation damage. Acute esophagitis passes, as a rule, without serious consequences or complications for the patient.

Long-term inflammation of the esophagus walls has a subacute or chronic form. The first can develop with the systematic use of too spicy food, strong alcohol or its surrogate and the like. A chronic disease is most often caused by reflux (that is, the reverse movement of food from the stomach into the esophagus). Usually, this ailment accompanies a person for many years, gradually leading to serious changes in the work and structure of the esophagus.

Chronic reflux esophagitis

This is a burn that occurs due to the constantly repeated ejection or leakage into the esophagus of gastric juice or intestinal contents. Peptic esophagitis is caused by the relative, and sometimes absolute, inadequacy of the blocking capabilities of the cardiac sphincter that separates the esophagus and stomach. Quite a serious role in the development of this chronic disease is constantly increasing intragastric pressure and impaired mobility of the gastrointestinal tract. Often, this pathology is combined with a hernia of the food hole in the diaphragm, ulcerative or cholelithiasis and pancreatitis.

Esophagitis: cardia failure

I would like to dwell on the notion of "cardia deficiency". The upper part of the stomach is called cardia. Here is located the sphincter, which closes the gap between the esophagus and the stomach. With normal functioning, he misses the food lump only in one direction, reliably locking the passage back to him. There is no special valve that blocks movement in the esophagus. Anatomically, the mechanism of the cardia blocking function is supported by the following structures:

• Esophageal sphincter;
• Diaphragm-esophageal ligament;
• "Mucous rosette" (folds of the mucosa of the esophagus, which fall into the lumen of the stomach, playing the role of an additional valve);
• Normal position of the esophagus with respect to the diaphragm;
• Annular muscles of the upper part of the stomach.

If any of these structures works poorly, then cardiac insufficiency occurs. And this is one of the serious aspects for the development of esophagitis. Because the pressure in the stomach is normally higher than in the chest cavity, weakened or deformed for some reason, the sphincter allows the contents to return back and burn the unprotected esophageal mucosa. A repeated repetition of this process causes serious pathological changes in this part of the gastrointestinal tract.

Causes of ulcerative esophagitis

If the emissions of acidic contents have become chronic, the disease can penetrate deeply into the mucosa of the esophagus, and erosions or ulcers develop over time. However, the causes of ulcerative esophagitis are not only emissions, but also surgical interventions, hernia of the diaphragmatic opening, ulcers of the duodenum and stomach, infectious diseases, chemical burns, excessive intake of spicy food and damage resulting from the insertion of the probe or in the process of radiation Therapy.

This disease has several degrees, characterizing it:

• The first degree is manifested by the appearance of separate erosions that do not merge with one another in the lower part of the esophagus.
• Erosive-ulcerative esophagitis of the 2nd degree is expressed by the appearance of merging erosions, which do not capture the entire mucosa.
• The third degree is accompanied by ulcerative lesions in the lower third of the esophagus;
• The fourth degree is a state of chronic ulcer and stenosis (narrowing of the lumen of the esophagus).

Causes and consequences of candida esophagitis

The disease occurs not only because of functional disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract. It can be caused by infections that penetrated from outside, or even "native" bacteria, which, for some reason, began to grow violently. If the causative agent of the inflammatory process in the esophagus is candida, candidal esophagitis is diagnosed. It is the same thrush, but located on the walls of the esophagus. Candida fungi take root on human tissues very easily and when the microflora of the digestive tract is disturbed, rapid development begins. Alcohol, hormonal (including contraceptive) drugs or antibacterial drugs can cause changes in microflora and, accordingly, the development of fungal infection.

Candida esophagitis, as a rule, is not life-threatening, but it causes a lot of trouble. Because of fungal inflammation, scarring and, as a consequence, shortening of the esophagus may develop. And this situation greatly increases the risk of axial hernia formation in the esophageal aperture of the diaphragm. Candidiasis can cause the formation of ulcers, internal bleeding and perforation of the described part of the gastrointestinal tract.

How dangerous is esophagitis?

I want to emphasize: in no case should one underestimate esophagitis (that this is a serious disease, you, we hope, have already understood). It can not be "endured" or muffled by the reception of some potions. The described state is considered in medicine the most massive pathology of the esophagus, which leads to serious complications, such as, for example, its narrowing (stenosis, stricture). Later, this causes the patient difficulty swallowing and, accordingly, requires a reconstructive operation. Another surgical complication, perforation (perforation) of the esophagus wall, also requires surgery. Statistics argue that ten percent of patients with esophagitis develop the so-called Barrett's esophagus, which is characterized by the degeneration of cells of its mucosa to cells that are characteristic of the intestinal mucosa. A similar condition in medicine is considered precancerous.

How to determine the presence of esophagitis

All the types of disease described above have common signs that should make the patient suspect an esophagitis. Symptoms and treatment of this pathology, we consider below. Therapy should be carried out only under the supervision of a gastroenterologist.

• As a rule, the first thing that patients pay attention to is heartburn or chest pain, which appear after eating or on an empty stomach. Usually they are strengthened by tilting forward, lifting the weight, at night (in a prone position). In severe cases, heartburn becomes permanent.
• Irritating air becomes more frequent, there is an unpleasant smell from a mouth ("a rotten egg") and almost constant taste of bitterness. Periodically, there is a regurgitation of a small amount of food.
• A whitish coating is formed on the tongue.
• In the stomach, there is pressure, and there is also pain in the upper abdomen.
• Often after eating, nausea and vomiting occur (vomiting may appear in the vomit).
• Disturbs pain when swallowing.
• With frequent reflux, cough, hoarseness, angina and bronchitis develop due to ingestion of intestinal contents in the respiratory tract, which causes burns.

All these symptoms can worsen, for example, after a cup of coffee, a cigarette smoked, hot, hard or spicy food. There are frequent complaints of increased manifestations of the disease in stressful situations. It is clear that the set of symptoms in different patients may differ. It depends on the severity of the disorders in the esophagus, and on the localization of the inflammatory process, and on the concomitant diseases.

How to distinguish esophagitis from other diseases

Taking into account that the symptoms characteristic of the described ailment can also be observed with some other pathologies of internal organs that are not related to esophagitis and require completely different treatment, it is necessary to clarify some of the nuances.

• Pain in esophagitis is not felt in the abdomen, but immediately behind the breastbone, in the chest.
• Usually heartburn is the main symptom of the described disease. If, together with burning in the chest, you have severe weakness, dizziness and shortness of breath, then it is more correct to assume that there is not an esophagitis.
• If burning in the chest appears from physical exertion, then this may be a sign of angina.

In what cases is an appeal to the gastroenterologist necessary

We hope that the esophagitis, the symptoms and treatment of which are discussed in this article, will not entail serious consequences for you. To do this, you need to see a doctor on time! Do not delay with a visit to a specialist if the heartburn has assumed a permanent character and is weakly amenable to elimination by medicines; Her attacks are not always understandable; You have difficulty swallowing; Your voice has changed, and the weight is noticeably reduced; In the vomit masses appeared blood; The temperature rose to 38 ° C or higher; You have a long hiccup; The stools became liquid and turned black.

What diseases can be accompanied by inflammation of the esophagus

By the way, we should mention, speaking about esophagitis, that this disease often appears in patients already having some problems with the gastrointestinal tract. As a rule, we are talking about ailments that stimulate increased aggressiveness of gastric juice or accompanied by excessive formation. The same applies to the violation of the gastroduodenal motility (stomach and duodenum), slowing its emptying. All this contributes to the stretching of the stomach and, as a consequence, causes reflux.

To diseases that promote the development of esophagitis, you can include gastroduodenitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, hernia of the diaphragmal esophageal opening, cholecystitis and other pathologies. By the way, pregnant women with late fetal development also have a high risk of developing reflux esophagitis. This is due to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure in women.

What to do if you have esophagitis

It has already been mentioned above that esophagitis is often a complex disease that manifests itself against the background of other problems of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, if you have a combined diagnosis of gastritis-esophagitis, then the treatment should be comprehensive. Preparations are selected in accordance with the cause of gastritis and the level of acidity associated with this disease. Therapy also includes medicines that relieve heartburn, stabilizing the motor skills of the esophagus and stomach, as well as substances that promote the acceleration of mucosal healing. The same advice relates to treatment for the diagnosis of gastroduodenitis-esophagitis. It is important in the treatment of these diseases compliance with diet number 1, which involves gentle fractional nutrition. It is strictly prohibited from overeating, and the last meal should be made no later than two hours before bedtime.

How is esophagitis diagnosed?

The esophagitis, the symptoms and treatment of which we cover in the article, usually does not present difficulties in diagnosis. After the doctor listens to your complaints and examines the medical history, he should conduct some research. These include endoscopy of the esophagus, which will show changes in the mucosa, and X-rays with contrast agent (barium). During the last procedure, a picture is taken, on which there are clearly visible abnormalities in the esophagus: its puffiness and the presence of a large amount of mucus. And with the development of ulcers, the flow of contrast material into its crater is visible.

How to treat acute oesophagitis

The main task is to eliminate the causes of the disease, and in the future the patient must follow a strict diet. This refers to the use of soft mashed food, which should have room temperature. From the diet, all foods that irritate the esophagus mucosa, including those containing a large amount of fiber, are also excluded, as well as fried foods, carbonated water and alcohol. Smoking for those who suffer from this disease is dangerous! Patients with a diagnosis of "esophagitis" drugs that affect the tone of the esophageal sphincter are appointed by prior agreement with the treating doctor. It can be sedatives or tranquilizers, prostaglandins and so on. It is desirable for patients to sleep on a bed with a high head, not to wear tight clothes, try not to go to bed after eating and less often to bend over.

Treatment of chronic esophagitis

In the absence of stenosis, perforation, bleeding and the like, the prognosis of treatment of the chronic form of the disease is favorable. As a rule, take drugs that block the production of acid, antifungal or antiviral drugs, antibiotics. Appointed and painkillers. To reduce the inflammatory process, corticosteroids are recommended. With difficulty swallowing the patient is given intravenous nutrition. In cases where the disease is due to the presence of a hernia of the esophageal opening in the diaphragm, an operation is performed. Surgical intervention is justified also with unsuccessful conservative treatment, the presence of complications in the form of bleeding or stricture and in the development of such a dangerous pathology as Barrett's esophagus. Conservative therapy is not bad to combine with folk recipes that help to alleviate the condition of the patient.

Treatment with folk remedies

Folk treatment of esophagitis is, as a rule, recipes aimed at relieving inflammation, alleviating painful manifestations and eliminating heartburn. So, to restore the mucosa of the esophagus healers recommend taking a decoction of oregano, walnut leaves and oak bark. They are mixed in equal proportions and diligently crushed. One dessert spoonful of the mixture should be poured with boiling water and held for fifteen minutes in a water bath. Take this broth warm, two tablespoons before meals or immediately after it.

In order to remove the swelling caused by the inflammatory process, take a mixture of oregano, alder and ivan da maria. They are mixed in equal amounts and crushed. Just like in the previous recipe, a spoonful of mixture, filled with hot water, is kept in a water bath and taken up to seven times a day.

Perfectly removes inflammation and aloe. It is consumed by mixing with or without honey, simply dissolving a piece of the cleaned sheet. And although it will not be very tasty, but this tool will help very effectively.

From the pain in the stomach will save the root of marsh ayr. One teaspoon of the crushed root is poured a glass of boiling water and allowed to cool. Strain, take still warm in half a glass for half an hour before meals. And remember that during the day you need to drink at least two glasses of this infusion.

Some tips in the end

In addition to the above-described treatment options, to ease the condition, you can recommend to follow some more regulations:

• Food should be soft, not spicy and not sour;
• Juice from the diet, replacing them with fruit drinks containing vitamin C;
• Bite the food in small pieces and diligently chew;
• With difficulty swallowing, throw your head back, then the food will pass along the back wall of the throat, making it easier to swallow;
• Drink liquid through a straw.

From the article you learned about a disease such as esophagitis, what it is, what are the causes, symptoms and ways to eliminate the ailment. Remember: treatment requires discipline. In addition to taking prescribed medications and traditional medicine, the patient must always follow the prescribed diet and give up smoking and alcohol. Only in this way the illness that prevents you from fully living will recede. Good luck and good health!