Esophagitis (say "ih-sof-uh-JY-tus") is irritation of the esophagus, the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach.
Acid reflux is the most common cause of this condition. When you have reflux, stomach acid and juices flow upward. This can cause pain or a burning feeling in your chest. You may have a sore throat. It may be hard to swallow.
Other causes of this condition include some medicines and supplements. Allergies or an infection can also cause it.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. The doctor might do tests to find the cause of your symptoms.
Treatment depends on what is causing the problem. Treatment might include changing your diet or taking medicine to relieve your symptoms. It might also include changing a medicine that is causing your symptoms.
If you have reflux, medicine that reduces the stomach acid helps your body heal. It might take 1 to 3 weeks to heal.
Common symptoms of esophagitis include:
Sometimes it also causes:
The treatment you need depends on what is causing the esophagitis. If you have esophagitis caused by acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), your doctor will likely recommend that you change your diet, lose weight if needed, and make other lifestyle changes. Here are some things to try:
If lifestyle changes alone aren't enough to help your esophagitis, your doctor may suggest you try medicines that reduce stomach acid. Reducing the reflux gives the esophagus a chance to heal. Over-the-counter medicines include:
If esophagitis is caused by an infection, you may need to take antibiotics or other medicines to treat the infection.
If you or your child has esophagitis caused by a food allergy, your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids.
You might need surgery if you have a tear in your esophagus or if something is blocking your esophagus, such as a tumor.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health. The doctor may do tests such as:
Esophagitis is irritation or inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Esophagitis can be painful and can make it hard to swallow.
Esophagitis is irritation or inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your throat to your stomach. Esophagitis can be painful and can make it hard to swallow.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is the most common cause of esophagitis. When you have GERD, stomach acid and juices flow backward into your esophagus. This can irritate the esophagus.
Other causes include:
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
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