Patient education: Esophagitis (The Basics)

What is esophagitis? — "Esophagitis" means inflammation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach (figure 1).

Sometimes, esophagitis starts suddenly and lasts only for a short time. Doctors call this "acute" esophagitis. Other times, esophagitis lasts for months or years. Doctors call this "chronic" esophagitis.

What causes esophagitis? — Many things can cause esophagitis, including:

●Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) – This is when the acid that is normally in your stomach backs up into your esophagus.

●Throwing up

●Certain medicines – This might be from the effects of the medicine or from actually swallowing the pill. For example, swallowing certain types of pills without water can irritate your esophagus.

●Infection

●Allergies – In 1 type of esophagitis, the esophagus has cells called "eosinophils" in it. This type is called "eosinophilic esophagitis." Doctors think it might be caused by allergies, especially food allergies.

What are the symptoms of esophagitis? — Symptoms of esophagitis for adults and teens can include:

●Trouble swallowing or pain when swallowing

●Heartburn – This is a burning feeling in the chest.

●Regurgitation – This is when acid and undigested food flow back into your throat or mouth.

Some adults and teens with esophagitis have other symptoms, too. These can include belly or chest pain, a raspy voice and sore throat, or a cough.

Babies and children might have different symptoms than adults. Their symptoms might also include:

●Feeding or eating problems, such as refusing to eat solid foods

●Feeling sick to their stomach or throwing up

●Belly pain

Will I need tests? — Probably. Your doctor or nurse will start by asking about your symptoms and doing an exam.

Tests to find out the cause of esophagitis might include:

●Endoscopy – During this procedure, the doctor uses a thin tube with a camera on the end, called an "endoscope." They put the endoscope into your mouth and down into your esophagus (figure 2). This lets them see the inside of your esophagus.

●Biopsy – For this test, the doctor takes a small sample of tissue from your esophagus. Then, another doctor looks at the tissue sample under a microscope.

●Barium swallow – Your doctor will give you a drink called "barium." Then they will take an X-ray as the barium moves down your esophagus. The barium will show up on the X-ray.

●Lab tests to check for signs of infection

How is esophagitis treated? — Treatment for esophagitis depends on what exactly is causing it.

Possible treatments might include:

●Medicines that reduce or block stomach acids

●Medicines to treat an infection

●Changing a medicine with another

●Medicines called "steroids" – If you have eosinophilic esophagitis, steroids might improve your symptoms.

Is there anything I can do on my own to feel better? — Yes. You might feel better if you:

●Avoid foods that might make your esophagitis worse – These might include coffee, chocolate, alcohol, peppermint, and fatty foods. Ask your doctor for a full list of foods you should avoid.

●Don't eat right before bed – Lying down with a full stomach can make symptoms worse. Try to eat your meals at least 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

●Take pills with at least 4 ounces of water or another drink

●Sit upright or stand when you swallow a pill – You should also stay upright for 10 to 30 minutes after swallowing it.

●Keep a healthy weight – Talk to your doctor or nurse about whether a change in your weight might improve your symptoms.

●Stop smoking, if you smoke – Smoking can make your symptoms worse.

●Raise the head of your bed by 6 to 8 inches – You can do this by putting blocks of wood or rubber under the 2 legs at the head of the bed, or by putting a foam wedge under the mattress.

More on this topic

Patient education: Eosinophilic esophagitis (The Basics)
Patient education: Gastritis (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD in children and teens (The Basics)
Patient education: Spitting up and GERD in babies (The Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux and GERD during pregnancy (The Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (The Basics)
Patient education: Cough in adults (The Basics)

Patient education: Barrett's esophagus (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Upper endoscopy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux) in babies (Beyond the Basics)