Esophagitis and GERD

Home » Acid Reflux Guide » Health Complications of GERD » Esophagitis and GERD
Esophagitis and GERD - the relationship

Esophagitis is an inflammation, irritation or swelling of the esophagus—the tube that connects your stomach to your throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common cause of esophagitis and swallowing can become painful and difficult. In this article Dr. Bagnato looks at the relationship between Esophagitis and GERD

Other Symptoms of Esophagitis Include:

  • Chest pain while eating
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sore throat
  • Acid reflux
  • Mouth sores
  • Halitosis

Since some of the symptoms associated with esophagitis can be caused by various digestive conditions, it is best to see your doctor if the problem persists, worsens or if over-the-counter antacids don’t work. Additionally, you may want to see your doctor if the above symptoms are accompanied by shortness of breath while eating or flu-like symptoms.

Causes of Esophagitis

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is usually the most common cause of esophagitis. This is when acid from the stomach flows up into the esophagus.
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an autoimmune disease that can also cause esophagitis if you come into contact with something to which you are allergic.
Certain factors which may also increase your chances of developing esophagitis include:

  • Drinking alcohol
  • Smoking and tobacco use
  • Surgery or radiation in the chest
  • Certain medications if they are taken without water (antibiotics, pain-relievers and potassium chloride)
  • Obesity
  • Hiatal hernia

Treatment of Esophagitis and GERD

Once your doctor has diagnosed you with esophagitis and GERD, your treatment depends on what is causing it. Your doctor may recommend dietary changes, including the avoidance of certain GERD trigger foods like tomato products, spicy foods and caffeine. You may also want to avoid sweets like chocolate and any food allergens.
However if dietary changes don’t help, your doctor may explore other options such as:

  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These will block acid from producing in your stomach and allow time for healing in the esophagus.
  • Fundoplication. This is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the stomach is wrapped around the lower esophageal sphincter, strengthening it and preventing acid from coming back into the esophagus.

Losing weight and quitting smoking are also effective lifestyle changes for treating and preventing esophagitis.
If left untreated, esophagitis could lead to possible complications, such as the narrowing of the esophagus, a development of abnormal tissues lining the esophagus or Barrett’s Esophagus. If you believe that you may have esophagitis it is best to seek medical attention to relieve discomfort and prevent any further medical conditions.

From the Palmyra Surgical Blog

  • Cooking Tips for Heartburn-Friendly Meals
    For someone with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), eating certain foods can cause extreme acid reflux and heartburn. Learn how to cook without the heartburn with these healthy tips.
  • Weight Loss for GERD
    Weight Loss for GERD
    Losing weight may provide relief from chronic heartburn, even for those who struggle with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Overweight and obese men and women struggle with acid reflux disease at a much higher prevalence rate than their healthy-weight counterparts.
  • Smoking: A Culprit in the World of Reflux
    In the past two decades, a lot of research has come out about tobacco use—and the news hasn’t been good for tobacco companies. Whereas once smoking appeared to be a harmless pastime, something that just about everyone did, inside and outdoors, that isn’t the game anymore. Tobacco use continues to decline across the United States, but there are still a lot of people out there who smoke at least somewhat regularly. By the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease and Control, about 18% of US adults use tobacco products in some form or another.
  • The Compliment Conundrum
    For Acid Reflux, Put the Soda Down
    Soda is hands-down one of the most popular drinks in the United States. This can be proven on the number of sales alone. Based on national sale data, there is enough soda sold annually for every adult to drink a full 45 gallons of soda per year. There are aquariums sold that are smaller than that! But when you stop and think about it, there is really no wonder as to why soda is such a major drink in our diets. The beverage is filled with sugar, and most of our favorite sodas pack enough caffeine to help us power through a busy afternoon at work.
  • Acid Reflux More Common than Ever
    Americans are dealing with more health problems now than they ever had in the past. This is based on statistical data that finds that chronic diseases are pretty much on the rise across the board. One of the biggest causes of this startling rise in health problems is obesity, which directly affects more than one-third of the US adult population, with another third being overweight and at risk.