Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Esophagitisis an irritation or inflammation of theesophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. There are severaltypes of esophagitis, all of which usually come with symptoms like pain while swallowing andheartburn. Treatment varies based on the specific cause, but options typically include medication, dietary changes, and rarely surgery.
This article provides an overview on esophagitis and outlines symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Verywell / Julie Bang
Types of Esophagitis
There are many types of esophagitis, which all have different underlying causes.
Acid Reflux
Esophagitis Symptoms
With esophagitis, it’s common to experienceheartburn,difficulty swallowing, or pain while swallowing.
Other symptoms may include:
When to See a Healthcare ProviderContact a healthcare providerif you experience any signs of esophagitis that last more than a few days and are severe enough to make it difficult to eat or sleep.Call 911 or seek emergency medical careif you experience lasting chest pain, have food lodged in your throat, have shortness of breath after eating, or have trouble breathing or talking.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Contact a healthcare providerif you experience any signs of esophagitis that last more than a few days and are severe enough to make it difficult to eat or sleep.Call 911 or seek emergency medical careif you experience lasting chest pain, have food lodged in your throat, have shortness of breath after eating, or have trouble breathing or talking.
The lining of the esophagus is sensitive, so sometimes it’s vulnerable to irritation and swelling. Several factors can contribute to an increased risk of developing esophagitis, including:
Your healthcare provider will first want to perform a physical exam, view your medical history, and discuss your symptoms.
From there, you may get at least one of the following diagnostic tests:
Treatment options for esophagitis will depend on the cause. These options can include medications, dietary and lifestyle changes, or potentially surgery.
Common treatment approaches include:
Complications of EsophagitisIf it’s not treated, esophagitis can be painful and uncomfortable. To avoid any unwanted complications like difficulty swallowing or eating, bleeding, narrowing of the esophagus, or ulcers, contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They’ll be able to provide a diagnosis and relief with treatment.
Complications of Esophagitis
If it’s not treated, esophagitis can be painful and uncomfortable. To avoid any unwanted complications like difficulty swallowing or eating, bleeding, narrowing of the esophagus, or ulcers, contact a healthcare professional as soon as possible. They’ll be able to provide a diagnosis and relief with treatment.
Many types of esophagitis respond well to treatment. But esophagitis can have serious consequences if left untreated.
Early diagnosis and treatment are key for the best prognosis, so it’s important to contact a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you suspect you may be experiencing some form of esophagitis.
Lifestyle tweaks such as quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, and forming better digestive habits can help control symptoms and address the root causes of esophagitis.
Summary
Esophagitis is irritation or inflammation of the esophagus, which is the tube that runs from your throat to your stomach. There are many different causes of esophagitis, from acid reflux to chemical irritation to food allergies. Depending on the specific cause, treatment may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or surgery.
A Word From Verywell
Living with a digestive condition like esophagitis is not only physically uncomfortable, but it can be emotionally overwhelming. People diagnosed with certain types of esophagitis are at an increased risk of experiencinganxietyanddepression.But help is available. If you think you might need an outside support system, ask a healthcare provider for a referral to a mental health professional to talk through any concerns and learn new tools to cope effectively.
19 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health.Esophagitis.University of Rochester Medicine.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: Who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(17):3011–3016. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.Akhondi H.Sloughing esophagitis: a not so common entity.Int J Biomed Sci. 2014;10(4):282–286.Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-7. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914Contini S, Scarpignato C.Caustic injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a comprehensive review.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(25):3918-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i25.3918Baker S, Fairchild A.Radiation-induced esophagitis in lung cancer.Lung Cancer. 2016;7:119-127. doi:10.2147/LCTT.S96443MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Cleveland Clinic.Esophagitis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.MedlinePlus.Esophagitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Esophagitis.MedlinePlus.Esophagus disorders.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal disorders.Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: a scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019:9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045
19 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.University of Michigan Health.Esophagitis.University of Rochester Medicine.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: Who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(17):3011–3016. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.Akhondi H.Sloughing esophagitis: a not so common entity.Int J Biomed Sci. 2014;10(4):282–286.Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-7. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914Contini S, Scarpignato C.Caustic injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a comprehensive review.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(25):3918-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i25.3918Baker S, Fairchild A.Radiation-induced esophagitis in lung cancer.Lung Cancer. 2016;7:119-127. doi:10.2147/LCTT.S96443MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Cleveland Clinic.Esophagitis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.MedlinePlus.Esophagitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Esophagitis.MedlinePlus.Esophagus disorders.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal disorders.Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: a scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019:9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Michigan Health.Esophagitis.University of Rochester Medicine.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Grossi L, Ciccaglione AF, Marzio L.Esophagitis and its causes: Who is “guilty” when acid is found “not guilty”?World J Gastroenterol. 2017;23(17):3011–3016. doi:10.3748/wjg.v23.i17.3011National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Acid reflux (GER & GERD) in adults.Akhondi H.Sloughing esophagitis: a not so common entity.Int J Biomed Sci. 2014;10(4):282–286.Rosołowski M, Kierzkiewicz M.Etiology, diagnosis and treatment of infectious esophagitis.Prz Gastroenterol. 2013;8(6):333-7. doi:10.5114/pg.2013.39914Contini S, Scarpignato C.Caustic injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: a comprehensive review.World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19(25):3918-30. doi:10.3748/wjg.v19.i25.3918Baker S, Fairchild A.Radiation-induced esophagitis in lung cancer.Lung Cancer. 2016;7:119-127. doi:10.2147/LCTT.S96443MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Cleveland Clinic.Esophagitis.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis.MedlinePlus.Esophagitis.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Esophagitis.MedlinePlus.Esophagus disorders.Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal disorders.Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: a scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019:9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045
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University of Rochester Medicine.Eosinophilic esophagitis.
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Cleveland Clinic.Esophagitis.
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MedlinePlus.Esophagitis.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) treatment.
Harvard Health Publishing.9 at-home treatments for acid reflux.
Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal strictures.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Esophagitis.
MedlinePlus.Esophagus disorders.
Cleveland Clinic.Esophageal disorders.
Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: a scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019:9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045
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