Esophagitis is a disease caused by inflammation or irritation of the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth with the stomach and is responsible for transporting liquids and food. Esophagitis is diagnosed through examinations such as radiography, barium solution must be taken to carry out this study, endoscopies are performed through a tube with a camera, guided by a doctor, from the throat to the stomach of the patient and laboratory tests or biopsies, with the taking of small samples of tissues extracted during endoscopies.
Esophagitis medical definition.
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It is the inflammation of the esophagus, associated with a reflux of the duodenal and gastric contents. It is characterized by stinging or burning, it may be the beginning of other conditions such as hernia hiatus. It can also manifest itself as consequences of trauma, extrinsic compressions, such as diverticula, and very frequent infections after chemotherapies.
Symptoms.
Patients with esophagitis frequently present with burning or heartburn, caused in most cases by reflux. A burning sensation is felt from the pit of the stomach to the throat. It also produces regurgitation, which means the unpleasant sensation of perceiving when gastric fluids rise to the mouth. Your symptoms are:
- Difficulty and pain when swallowing.
- Pain behind the sternum, at chest level, this occurs when eating.
- Food gets stuck in the esophagus.
- In infants and young children, they are too young to explain the discomfort, in these cases esophagitis can present, problems eating and failure to grow.
Symptoms of reflux esophagitis.
Reflux esophagitis arises as a complication of gastroesophageal disease (GERD), this is a chronic disease with very annoying signs that can reduce the quality of life of the patient. The most common symptoms are:
- Acid regurgitation or heartburn, known as heartburn, occurs when gastric fluids rise, and reach the mouth.
- Aphonia, due to the acid content lodged in the larynx.
- Asthma, cough and respiratory distress, due to the appearance of acids in the respiratory tract.
The biliary esophagitis is a disease caused by chronic bile reflux, expelled into the stomach and then to the esophagus. Its symptoms are: intense upper abdominal pain. A frequent stomach pain, with a burning sensation from the chest to the throat and an acid taste in the mouth. Very liquid, greenish-yellow vomit. Unintentional weight loss and nausea.
When in a patient with esophagitis there is a symptom in which the esophageal mucosa becomes inflamed and ulcers occur, it means that an erosive esophagitis has arisen, the cause of this complication is chronic acid reflux. This reflux is similar to corrosive substances, which erode the esophagus and are swallowed unconsciously or deliberately. Some medications can produce this type of painful erosions, including aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, among others.
Erosive esophagitis is diagnosed by performing an esophagoscopy, which is nothing more than a visual examination of the mucosa of the esophagus performed by a specialist, introducing an esophagoscope through the mouth, up to the esophagus and thus performing biopsies, for diagnostic purposes and therapeutic.
Infectious esophagitis, on the other hand, is a disease caused by bacterial, fungal or viral infections lodged in the esophagus. This infection is not common, it usually only occurs in people with a malfunctioning immune system, that is, with HIV / AIDS or people with cancer.
A risk factor for infectious esophagitis is some medications such as antibiotics and steroids.
Eosinophilic esophagitis, also known as allergic esophagitis is considered a chronic disease, it produces an inflammation that affects the esophagus. It occurs when white blood cells gather in large amounts in the esophagus, usually in response to an allergic reaction caused by an agent or to acid reflux.
This type of allergy can also be caused by foods such as eggs, milk, wheat, peanuts, soy, among others. Some people can suffer these allergic reactions from environmental factors such as pollen.
What should not be eaten.
When a person suffers from esophagitis they should avoid eating and drinking:
- Coffee and alcoholic beverages, since these increase gastric secretion, wine, cider and beer should also be included in this group.
- Avoid spicy, and seasonings such as garlic, onion and pepper, as these are irritating to the gastric and esophageal mucosa. Nor can you consume citrus fruits, such as pineapple, orange, strawberry among others.
- Consume food at room temperature, that is, avoid very hot foods.
Home remedies to treat esophagitis.
The aloe vera plant also known as aloe is rich in vitamin B, amino acids and mucilages, they are essential to reduce irritation of the digestive tract and esophagus. Just blend 5 tablespoons of the gel from the plant, ½ cup of water and add 1 tablespoon of honey. This preparation is consumed at least once a day and the improvement will be noticed in a few days.
The baking soda is one of the products most commonly used against esophagitis is an antacid and therefore has the ability to restore the pH of the stomach, reducing the burning sensation and burning in the throat. Dilute ½ teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in ½ cup of water, take it twice a day as long as you feel the symptoms of esophagitis.
Ginger is also used to improve digestion as it stimulates the production of enzymes in the digestive system, decreases the time that food passes through the stomach and prevents gastrointestinal reflux. To prepare the tea you should only use a pitcher, add 1 liter of water, add 4 or 5 slices of ginger, keep it cold and drink it several times a day.
Lemon water helps neutralize heartburn, as lemon has an alkaline effect on the body. The preparation consists of adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to ½ glass of water, it should be drunk on an empty stomach and before each meal.
