Is esophagitis serious?

Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 08, 2024
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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.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can esophagitis cause coughing?

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.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can esophagitis be treated with surgery?

Esophagitis is relatively common in clinical settings, and the treatment plan generally involves medical therapy rather than surgery as the first choice. However, if complications such as obstruction, bleeding, or even cancer occur, surgical treatment is usually undertaken. For medication selection, one can choose drugs that protect the mucous membrane, reduce acid, and improve gastrointestinal motility. It is important to pay attention to diet and post-meal posture in daily life, avoid binge eating, eat smaller and more frequent meals, and avoid intake of high-sugar, high-fat foods, opting instead for a light, easily digestible diet. Post-meal posture involves not lying down immediately after eating, especially for a nap, and it is recommended that patients sit for half an hour before lying down to rest to prevent reflux. Most patients can control the symptoms of esophagitis with active medical treatment and dietary adjustments, and do not need surgical treatment. (Please use medications under the guidance of a professional physician.)

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Does esophagitis cause chest pain?

People with esophagitis, generally reflux esophagitis, suffer due to the stomach acid refluxing back into the esophagus, which irritates or damages the mucous membrane of the esophagus. This causes symptoms such as congestion, edema, and pain, especially after consuming acidic, spicy, or overly hot foods, where the sensation of pain can become more pronounced. Thus, patients with esophagitis may experience symptoms of chest pain. By paying attention to dietary control, avoiding overly acidic, spicy, or hot foods, and taking medications that protect the esophageal mucous membrane and suppress stomach acid secretion, these symptoms of chest pain can gradually be alleviated and even completely cured.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What department do you go to for esophagitis?

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
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Esophagitis examination methods

Currently, for the examination of esophagitis in clinical practice, imaging studies are primarily used, including barium swallow tests and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Barium swallow tests are more commonly used in primary care hospitals, while upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is more frequently used in county-level and higher hospitals. Under barium swallow exam, it is possible to observe the disordered mucosal folds of the damaged esophagus, sometimes small niches and narrowing of the esophageal lumen can be seen. Under endoscopy, inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa can be detected.