How to treat reflux esophagitis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on April 17, 2025
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Reflux esophagitis can be diagnosed when an endoscopy reveals damage to the gastric mucosa. Its main symptoms include upper abdominal pain, chest pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. Treatment primarily involves acid suppression, promoting gastric motility, and protecting the mucosa. Since reflux esophagitis is greatly related to poor gastric motility, in addition to pharmacological treatments, increasing physical activity is also necessary because exercise can enhance gastrointestinal motility and strengthen gastric dynamics, playing a crucial role in the treatment and symptom relief of reflux esophagitis. Furthermore, the diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, grilled, cold, and sweet foods.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
53sec home-news-image

What should I do if reflux esophagitis causes a fever?

Reflux esophagitis, if accompanied by fever, might indicate the possibility of an infectious disease. It is necessary to further determine whether there is an infection and its location. Complete blood count and C-reactive protein tests can be conducted. At the same time, a follow-up gastroscopy should be done to observe the condition of the esophageal lesions, and histopathological examinations might be necessary when needed. Patients with reflux esophagitis require active treatment to suppress gastric acid secretion, and can also use gastroprotective agents, such as magnesium trisilicate and sucralfate. Prokinetic drugs like mosapride and itopride are also needed for treatment. Dietary adjustments should focus on a bland diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 16sec home-news-image

Chronic gastritis and reflux esophagitis symptoms

Chronic gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) manifest clinically with typical symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, heartburn, and acid reflux, generally starting with gastrointestinal symptoms and often with a prolonged history. In cases presenting with abdominal pain, this generally occurs in the upper abdomen and can be characterized as dull, distending, or burning pain. These symptoms are usually related to diet, and some patients may feel better after eating. There is generally no associated nighttime pain, fever, or jaundice. GERD typically presents with heartburn and acid reflux, which are commonly seen in clinical settings. The symptoms are usually more noticeable after eating, especially after a full meal, and do not usually occur at night. The pain, generally a burning sensation, occurs in the precordial and esophageal areas and can be episodic, spontaneously resolving. There may occasionally be nausea, and even a tendency to vomit. Diagnosis of GERD primarily relies on gastroscopic examination.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 26sec home-news-image

What medicine is taken for gastritis and reflux esophagitis?

Gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease are relatively common in clinical settings. Generally, medications that reduce acid production, protect the mucous membrane, and improve gastrointestinal motility can be chosen for treatment. Of course, dietary advice includes consuming clean, easily digestible foods, cultivating good living and eating habits, and avoiding overeating and binge drinking. Gastritis is more commonly seen clinically, with most patients exhibiting symptoms of abdominal pain and bloating. Esophagitis primarily presents with nausea, belching, and burning pain, leading most patients to seek treatment from a gastroenterologist. The fastest diagnosis primarily relies on gastroscopy, which can reveal congestion and edema of the esophageal and gastric mucosa, and even the formation of erosion and ulcers, ruling out diagnoses like esophageal or gastric cancer. Therefore, the treatment of gastritis and esophagitis mainly relies on medications, which are selected after a complete gastroscopy. The typical course of treatment is about four weeks. If symptoms can be controlled, the dosage can be gradually reduced to maintain the minimal effective amount. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
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Reflux gastritis and reflux esophagitis are not the same.

It's different. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to the abnormal reflux of stomach or duodenal fluids into the esophagus, causing a series of symptoms. Under endoscopy, severe esophageal inflammation and erosion can be seen, along with ulcers, fibrosis, etc. Prolonged episodes can lead to the development of Barrett's esophagus. On the other hand, reflux gastritis generally refers to bile reflux gastritis, which as the name suggests, is caused by the reflux of bile into the stomach. Endoscopically, swelling of the gastric mucosa can typically be seen, along with the presence of residual bile in the stomach, bile staining, and intestinal metaplasia, among others. Both conditions have clinically similar symptoms, including heartburn, acid reflux, and pain.

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
1min 13sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of reflux esophagitis?

The main symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease include upper abdominal pain, chest pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. A gastroscopy can reveal lesions on the esophageal mucosa, and if such damage is observed, a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease can be made. The severity of the lesions on the esophageal mucosa can be classified into four grades: A, B, C, and D, with grade A being the mildest and grade D the most severe. Treatment primarily involves acid suppression, promoting gastric motility, and repairing the mucosa. The treatment course usually lasts about six to eight weeks. Moreover, gastroesophageal reflux disease is closely related to poor gastric motility, so regular exercise is recommended. Exercise can enhance gastric motility and promote intestinal peristalsis, which plays a positive role in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease.