Esophagitis is characterized by inflammation of the esophagus, which causes symptoms like heartburn, a bitter taste in the mouth, difficulty swallowing and a sore throat.

This inflammation and swelling can occur due to infections or gastritis, but it is most commonly caused by acid reflux, which happens when acidic stomach contents backflow up into the esophagus. Read more about acid reflux, or GERD, and the symptoms is causes.

Regardless of the type of esophagitis, this condition should be treated as advised by a doctor. The doctor may prescribe medications that reduce stomach acidity, as well as analgesics that help to manage pain. Esophagitis can be cured when the patient adheres to the treatment plan and and appropriate date.

Common symptoms

The main symptoms of esophagitis are:

Heartburn and constant stomach burning, which worsens after meals
Bitter taste in the mouth
Foul breath
Difficulty swallowing
Chest pain
Sore throat
Hoarseness

Esophagitis symptoms tend to worsen after eating and can be very uncomfortable. If you notice signs and symptoms of esophagitis, it is important to consult your family doctor or a gastroenterologist.

Confirming a diagnosis

An esophagitis diagnosis should be confirmed by a family doctor or gastroenterologist. and is based on the symptoms presented by the patient and their frequency.

The doctor may order an endoscopy, which is a test that involves the insertion of a scope down the throat and into the esophagus and stomach to evaluate for any abnormalities or tissue damage.

Depending on the severity and progression of symptoms, esophagitis can be classified as erosive or non-erosive, which refers to the appearance of lesions in the esophagus. These may appear if the esophagitis is not identified and treated. Typically, erosive esophagitis occurs in more chronic cases of inflammation.

Main causes

Esophagitis can be classified into 4 main types according to its underlying cause:

Eosinophilic esophagitis, which is usually due to food allergies or some other toxic substance. It can lead to an increase in the amount of eosinophils in the blood;
Drug-induced esophagitis, which can develop due to prolonged or frequent contact of medication with the lining of the esophagus;
Reflux esophagitis, in which the acidic contents of the stomach backflow into the esophagus and cause irritation;
Esophagitis due to infections, which is the rarest type of esophagitis, but can occur in people who have a weakened immune system from illness or age, and is characterized by the presence of bacteria, fungi or viruses in the person's mouth or esophagus.

Furthermore, esophagitis can occur as a consequence of bulimia, in which there may be inflammation of the esophagus due to frequent vomiting. Esophagitis can also appear due to a hiatal hernia, which is a small pocket that can be formed when a portion of the stomach passes the gastric sphincter. Read more about hiatal hernias and the symptoms it can cause.

People who are most at risk to develop esophagitis include those who are overweight, those who consume excessive alcohol and those who have a compromised immune system.

Treatment options

Treatment for esophagitis should be guided by a gastroenterologist, who may prescribe medications that inhibit stomach acid production, such as omeprazole or esomeprazole. The doctor may also advise diet and lifestyle changes, and other measures like avoiding lying down after meals. In rarer cases, surgery to repair damaged tissue may be recommended.

To prevent worsening of esophagitis, you should avoid avoid consuming carbonated drinks. alcoholic beverages, and spicy or fatty foods. If esophagitis is left untreated, there may be a greater risk for complications like ulcers in the esophagus, pre-cancerous changes in the esophageal lining and narrowing of an area of the esophagus, which makes it difficult to eat solid food.