Can esophagitis cause coughing?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

Esophagitis generally does not cause coughing, as coughing is a symptom of respiratory diseases. Esophagitis mostly causes symptoms of the digestive system, such as heartburn, particularly when eating food, accompanied by painful swallowing, and pain behind the sternum. Severe esophagitis can lead to the narrowing of the esophageal lumen, difficulty swallowing, and may also present with vomiting. Esophagitis can also cause bleeding; bleeding of the mucous membranes can lead to vomiting blood or black stools. Recurrent esophagitis causes a decrease in appetite and impairs absorptive functions, leading to weight loss.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 24sec home-news-image

Is esophagitis serious?

Esophagitis is a common clinical condition, so generally, patients do not need to worry too much. The typical symptoms of esophagitis include nausea and heartburn, with heartburn being particularly characteristic. This manifests as a burning pain in the esophageal area or the whole chest, typically occurring persistently with episodic exacerbations, and it is generally related to diet. The condition often flares up after meals, lasts for several hours before gradually easing, but is prone to recurrence. If a patient experiences the aforementioned discomfort, it is advisable to further undergo an endoscopic examination to assess the condition and confirm the diagnosis. Esophagitis can typically be identified during an endoscopy by signs of congestion, edema, and even erosion or ulceration of the esophageal mucosa. Thus, the diagnosis of esophagitis generally relies on endoscopic examination, and the initial treatment may focus on dietary adjustments and oral medications, which might include acid reducers, mucosal protective agents, and drugs that improve gastrointestinal motility. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
44sec home-news-image

Which part to massage for esophagitis

Esophagitis can be treated by massaging the Laogong acupoint, which can promote blood circulation and relieve mental tension. Alternatively, the Daling acupoint can improve gastric motility and aid symptoms of indigestion effectively. Furthermore, esophagitis can also be managed by massaging the Zhongwan acupoint, a commonly used point for spleen and stomach disorders, capable of treating various symptoms. The Zhongwan acupoint is located on the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, at the midpoint between the lower end of the sternum and the navel. Therefore, it is essential to massage daily, approximately 10 to 15 minutes each time, with gentle clockwise motions.

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

Does esophagitis cause chest pain?

Patients with esophagitis can experience pain in the anterior chest area, known as heartburn, which manifests as burning pain in the anterior chest or esophageal region. It usually occurs in episodic attacks, so it is generally believed that esophagitis can cause chest pain, which needs to be differentiated from chest pain caused by coronary heart disease. The diagnosis of esophagitis mainly relies on gastroscopy. For some typical patients, it is recommended that they complete a gastroscopy in a timely manner. Under gastroscopy, inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa can be observed, manifested as congestion, edema, erosion, or even ulcer formation. The treatment of esophagitis mainly involves adjusting medication choices and dietary adjustments. Dietary recommendations include a light diet, and medications may include those that reduce acid and protect the mucosa and improve gastrointestinal motility. A typical course of treatment would be two to four weeks, and most patients can achieve relief. (The use of medications should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.)

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

Can I eat sweet potatoes with esophagitis?

If esophagitis is not severe, it is okay to eat a moderate amount of sweet potatoes, as they are not highly irritating and do not significantly affect the esophagus. However, if the condition is more severe, it is necessary to control the intake of sweet potatoes. This is because sweet potatoes contain a large amount of starch, which can lead to bloating after consumption and can trigger symptoms such as indigestion. Additionally, nausea, vomiting, or acid reflux might occur. Sweet potatoes are sweet and can stimulate the excessive secretion of gastric acid, which not only causes nausea and vomiting but also affects the mucous membrane of the esophagus, potentially worsening the symptoms of esophagitis. Those with esophagitis should aim for a bland diet, eat smaller and more frequent meals, and chew slowly and thoroughly.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
40sec home-news-image

Can esophagitis cause chest tightness?

Esophagitis generally does not cause symptoms of chest tightness, as the inflammation in the esophagus typically leads to symptoms of the digestive system, and does not cause disorders of the respiratory or circulatory systems. Clinically, common symptoms of esophagitis include a burning sensation, along with difficulty swallowing and pain behind the breastbone. When the esophagitis is severe, it can lead to a narrowing of the esophageal lumen, causing a choking sensation when swallowing food, and possibly inducing vomiting. The inflammation can cause bleeding, which may manifest as vomiting blood or black stools.