How is the lining of the esophagus affected?
Esophagitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the lining of the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. If it is not treated, esophagitis can become very uncomfortable, causing difficulty in swallowing, and ulcers or scarring of the esophagus.
What are the possible side effects of esophagitis disease?
Possible complications include: 1 Scarring or narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus 2 Tearing of the esophagus lining tissue from retching (if food gets stuck) or during endoscopy (due to inflammation) 3 Barrett’s esophagus, characterized by changes to the cells lining the esophagus, increasing your risk of esophageal cancer
What kind of medication can you take for esophagitis?
Drugs that have been linked to esophagitis include: Pain-relieving medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others) Bisphosphonates, including alendronate (Fosamax), a treatment for weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis)
When was the diagnosis of fungal esophagitis made?
The diagnosis of fungal esophagitis was first presented in 1839, and candida was identified as the pathogen. Under normal circumstances, both the specific defense system and the nonspecific defense system of the body’s digestive tract can inhibit the excessive growth of fungi [ 4
What happens if you have eosinophilic esophagus disease?
In some people, eosinophilic esophagitis can lead to the following: Scarring and narrowing of the esophagus. This makes it difficult to swallow and more likely that you will have food get stuck. Damage to the esophagus. Because of inflammation of the esophagus, endoscopy can cause perforation or tears in the tissue that lines the esophagus.
What should I do if I have esophagitis?
Treatment for esophagitis depends on its cause. While medications that block acid production may be recommended, other medications may be prescribed for cases of esophagitis that are caused by infection. While you are being treated for esophagitis, you can take the following steps to help limit discomfort: