Esophagitis is inflammation of the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus is a tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.
Inflammation of the esophagus can be acute or chronic.
Acute esophagitis occurs when the mucous membrane of the esophagus is irritated by chemicals, with thermal burns and various infectious diseases.
Esophagitis can develop with a long intake of excessively rough or spicy foods, strong alcoholic beverages.
Esophagitis is characterized by a burning sensation behind the sternum, pain when swallowing. The pain appears soon after eating and increases when the body is tilted forward or to the side. After eating, drinking and walking, the pain temporarily disappears or weakens. In some patients, the main signs of acute esophagitis are excruciating heartburn or belching with air, vomiting with the release of viscous mucus, sometimes mixed with blood. In some cases, body temperature rises, and esophageal bleeding is also likely.
Chronic esophagitis is most often the outcome of an acute one, it can be a manifestation of a deficiency in the body of vitamins A, B, C.
Reflux esophagitis is the most common cause of chronic esophagitis. The disease is indicated by mild aching pain along the esophagus, a feeling of heaviness behind the sternum, belching or heartburn.
The disease helps to identify a special study – esophagogastroscopy. At the first sign of esophagitis, you will need to see a doctor.