Overview
Esophagitis describes any sort of inflammation of the esophagus. Many different things can cause inflammation of the esophagus, including burning from acid or other corrosive substances. Esophagitis that forms in this way is called erosive esophagitis, and it can lead to pain and certain precancerous changes in the esophagus.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of erosive esophagitis, InteliHealth explains, are related to the inflammation of the esophageal lining. Patients often feel an intense burning pain in the breastbone or throat. This pain is usually worse after meals or when a patient lies down. Patients can also have trouble swallowing and may experience pain when attempting to do so. Erosive esophagitis can also cause bleeding from the esophagus, leading to blood appearing in the stool. Often this will cause the stool to appear dark and tarry, which is known as melena.
Causes
Gastric acid burns are the most common cause of erosive esophagitis, according to the Merck Manual. As a result, chronic acid reflux is a common cause of erosive esophagitis, though bulimia can also lead to the condition. Some cleaning solutions are corrosive and can lead to inflammation of the esophagus if they are ingested. Certain medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, certain antibiotics (such as doxycycline and tetracycline) and iron supplements can, if the tablets get caught in the esophagus, also lead to irritation and inflammation.
Complications
If the erosive esophagitis causes esophageal bleeding, patients may develop iron deficiency anemia, the University of Maryland Medical Center explains. This is because the chronic blood loss can gradually sap the body of iron, which is needed for the formation of new red blood cells. Erosive esophagitis can also lead to a condition known as Barrett’s esophagus, in which there is a change in the kind of cells that line the esophagus. Barrett’s esophagus greatly increases a patient’s risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Diagnosis
The most straightforward way of diagnosing erosive esophagitis is called a esophagoscopy, the Merck Manual explains. With this procedure, a physician uses a small camera, which is at the end of a flexible tube (also known as an endoscope). The physician gently pushes the endoscope down the patient’s throat so that he can visualize the inside of the esophagus and identify any areas of erosion.
Treatment
Treatment of erosive esophagitis usually focuses on treating the underlying cause. Lodged tablets causing irritation should be removed. Otherwise treatment for chronic acid reflux can be used to prevent further damage to the esophagus. Medications include proton pump inhibitors (such as omeprazole and esomeprazole) as well as H2 receptor blockers (cimetidine and ranitidine).
About this Author
Adam Cloe is an MD/PhD student at the University of Chicago. He has a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry from Boston University, where he won an award for excellence in undergraduate science writing. He has been published in various scientific journals.
