What department do you go to for esophagitis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Esophagitis is a relatively common disease in gastroenterology, so patients with esophagitis should visit the gastroenterology department. Generally, clinicians will inquire in detail about the medical history to understand the progression of the disease and the symptoms of the patient. Routine examinations typically include a barium swallow test or an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Under a barium meal examination, disorders of the esophageal mucosal folds and narrowing of the lumen can be detected. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can reveal inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa. Through the results of these examinations, systematic treatment can be administered.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What should you avoid eating if you have esophagitis?

There are many foods that should be avoided with esophagitis, as any food that irritates the esophagus and worsens the condition should be avoided. First are dry, hard, cold, overly hot, or gas-producing foods, such as nuts, walnuts, as well as milk, soy milk, bread, and other foods that produce a lot of gas. Also, avoid smoking, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and other irritating foods. Focus on consuming nutritious and easily digestible foods, maintain a regular eating schedule, and pay attention to food hygiene, ensuring meals are timely and in proper amounts.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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What are the symptoms of esophagitis?

The causes of reflux esophagitis are varied, including dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, esophageal hiatal hernia, gastric emptying disorders, psychological factors, and external stimuli such as medications or alcohol. Often, patients also exhibit insufficient gastric motility and excessive stomach acid. Common symptoms include upper abdominal bloating, belching, heartburn, acid regurgitation, a burning sensation or pain behind the sternum, and sometimes chest pain during eating. Some patients may experience irritative dry cough, which is often more pronounced at night or when lying down, but it tends to ease when standing up due to the irritation caused by acid reflux.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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Is esophagitis prone to recurrence?

Reflux esophagitis can recur frequently. Generally, mild reflux esophagitis can often be cured through adjustments in diet and lifestyle habits as well as medication treatment, and it will not recur. If it is moderate to severe reflux esophagitis, the effectiveness of medication may be insufficient, leading to persistent recurrence. Additional factors such as dietary and lifestyle habits, including smoking, drinking alcohol, consuming spicy foods, excessive fatigue, etc., can also cause recurrence. The presence of certain diseases can further exacerbate the occurrence of reflux esophagitis, such as dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, hiatal hernia, and insufficient gastric motility, all of which may lead to recurrent symptoms.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does esophagitis cause constipation?

Esophagitis generally does not cause constipation. However, if a person has esophagitis and their gastrointestinal motility is reduced, constipation may occur. The main symptoms of esophagitis include feeling like there is a foreign object when swallowing, pain when swallowing, and pain behind the sternum. The diet for esophagitis generally consists of semi-liquid or liquid food. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and soft, easily digestible foods, and to avoid raw, cold, and strongly irritant foods. Additionally, it is important to hydrate regularly and choose antibiotics appropriately for treatment. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
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Does esophagitis cause weight loss?

People with esophagitis tend to experience emaciation. Esophagitis, medically referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), is characterized by symptoms such as upper abdominal distension, chest pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. Due to the long-term presence of these symptoms, appetite can decrease, leading to emaciation in patients with GERD. During an endoscopy, if erosions in the gastric mucosa are observed, a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease can be made. Based on the extent of these erosions, the condition can be classified into four grades, from A to D, with grade A being the mildest and grade D the most severe. Treatment mainly involves promoting gastric motility, repairing the mucosa, and acid-suppressing and stomach-protecting therapies, generally requiring about an eight-week treatment period.