Esophagitis is a condition in which the lining of the esophagus becomes swollen, inflamed, or irritated. The esophagus is the tube that leads from your mouth to the stomach. It is also called the food pipe.

Causes

Esophagitis is often caused by stomach fluid that flows back into the food pipe. The fluid contains acid, which irritates the esophageal lining. This problem is called gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). An autoimmune disorder called eosinophilic esophagitis also causes this condition.

Gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the esophagus (food pipe). F...

Image

Read Article Now Book Mark Article

Autoimmune disorder

An autoimmune disorder occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue by mistake. There are more than 80 autoimmune d...

Image

Read Article Now Book Mark Article

The following increase your risk for this condition:

• Alcohol use
• Cigarette smoking
• Surgery or radiation to the chest (for example, treatment for lung cancer)
• Taking certain medicines such as alendronate, doxycycline, ibandronate, risedronate, tetracycline, potassium tablets, and vitamin C, without drinking plenty of water
• Vomiting
• Lying down after eating a large meal
• Obesity

People who have a weakened immune system may develop infections. Infections may lead to swelling of the food pipe. Infection may be due to:

• Fungi or yeast (most often Candida)
• Viruses, such as herpes or cytomegalovirus

  Cytomegalovirus

  CMV gastroenteritis/colitis is inflammation of the stomach or intestine due to infection with cytomegalovirus. This same virus can also cause:Lung in...

  

  Image

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article

Symptoms

The infection or irritation may cause the food pipe to become inflamed. Sores called ulcers may form.

Symptoms may include:

• Cough
• Difficulty swallowing
• Painful swallowing
• Heartburn (acid reflux)

  Heartburn

  Heartburn is a painful burning feeling just below or behind the breastbone. Most of the time, it comes from the esophagus. The pain often rises in ...

  

  Image

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Hoarseness
• Sore throat

Exams and Tests

The doctor may perform the following tests:

• Esophageal manometry

  Esophageal manometry

  Esophageal manometry is a test to measure how well the esophagus is working.

  

  Image

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), removing a piece of tissue from the food pipe for examination (biopsy)

  Esophagogastroduodenoscopy

  Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) is a test to examine the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and first part of the small intestine (the duodenum)....

  

  Image

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article

  Biopsy

  A biopsy is the removal of a small piece of tissue for laboratory examination.

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article
• Upper GI series (barium swallow x-ray)

  Upper GI series

  An upper GI and small bowel series is a set of x-rays taken to examine the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine. Barium enema is a related test th...

  

  Image

  Read Article Now Book Mark Article

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause. Common treatment options are:

• Medicines that reduce stomach acid in case of reflux disease
• Antibiotics to treat infections
• Medicines and diet changes to treat eosinophilic esophagitis
• Medicines to coat the lining of the food pipe to treat damage related to pills

You should stop taking medicines that damage the lining of the esophagus. Take your pills with plenty of water. Avoid lying down immediately after taking the pill.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most of the time, the disorders that cause swelling and inflammation of the food pipe, respond to treatment.

Possible Complications

If not treated, this condition may cause severe discomfort. Scarring (stricture) of the food pipe may develop. This can cause swallowing problems.

A condition called Barrett esophagus (BE) can develop after years of GERD. Rarely, BE may lead to cancer of the food pipe.

Barrett esophagus

Barrett esophagus (BE) is a disorder in which the lining of the esophagus is damaged by stomach acid. The esophagus is also called the food pipe, an...

Image

Read Article Now Book Mark Article

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you have:

• Frequent symptoms of esophagitis
• Difficulty swallowing

Disclaimer