John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Esophagitis is a term used to describe inflammation of the esophagus, which
is the tube that connects the throat to the stomach. There are several types of
esophagitis depending on the cause. Esophagitis can be caused by infection,
irritation of the esophagus, or inflammation of the lining of the esophagus.
What causes esophagitis?
Esophagitis can be caused by infection or irritation of the esophagus.
Infections of the esophagus can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi,
including:
Candida, a yeast infection. This is
more common in patients with weakened immune systems, such as those with
diabetes,
HIV/AIDS, patients undergoing chemotherapy, or people who are taking
antibiotics or steroids.
Herpes, a viral infection. It may develop in the esophagus when the body's
immune system is weak.
One of the main causes of esophageal irritation is reflux of stomach acid.
There are several causes for reflux:
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease): weakness or dysfunction of the
muscle that keeps the stomach closed (sphincter) can allow stomach acid to leak
into the esophagus (acid reflux), causing irritation of the inner lining. Also
called GERD esophagitis - in severe cases it can become erosive esophagitis.
Vomiting: when vomiting is frequent or chronic it can lead to acid damage to
the esophagus. Excessive or forceful vomiting may cause small tears of the inner
lining of the esophagus, leading to further damage.
Hiatal hernia: This
abnormality occurs when a part of the stomach moves above the diaphragm
producing a small abnormal pouch, or
hiatal hernia, which can lead to excess
acid refluxing into the esophagus.
Achalasia: This is a disorder where the lower
end of the esophagus does not open normally, and as a result food can get stuck
in the esophagus or is regurgitated. People with
achalasia have a higher than
normal risk of esophageal cancer.
Medical treatments for other problems can also cause esophageal irritation.
Surgery, including certain types of bariatric (weight loss) surgery, can lead
to increased risk of esophagitis. Medications such as
aspirin and other
anti-inflammatory drugs can irritate the lining of the esophagus, and also cause
increased acid production in the stomach that can lead to acid reflux. Large
pills taken with too little water or just before bedtime can dissolve or get
stuck in the esophagus, causing irritation. Radiation to the chest (thorax), for
cancer treatment can cause burns leading to scarring and inflammation of the
esophagus.
Other causes of esophageal irritation:
Swallowing of foreign material or toxic
substances
Esophageal cancer: A malignant tumor of the esophagus. The risk of cancer of the esophagus is increased by long-term irritation of the esophagus, such as from smoking, heavy alcohol intake, and Barrett esophagitis. Very small tumors in the esophagus usually do not cause symptoms. As a tumor grows, the most common symptom is difficulty in swallowing. There may be a feeling of fullness, pressure, or burning as food passes down the esophagus. Cancer of the esophagus can also cause indigestion, heartburn, vomiting, and frequent choking on food. Because of these problems, weight loss is common. Esophageal cancer can be diagnosed through a barium X-ray study of the esophagus and endoscopy and biopsy of the tumor. Treatment includes chemotherapy and sometimes surgery.
A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. Causes of hiatal hernia
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus. Eosinophilic esophagitis has many causes including acid reflux, heartburn, viruses, medications
Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the esophagus. Risk factors of cancer of the esophagus include smoking, heavy alcohol use,
Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation (both mental and physical). The causes
Achalasia is a disease of the esophagus that mainly affects young adults. Abnormal function of nerves and muscles of the esophagus causes difficulty swallowing
Heartburn is a burning sensation experienced from acid reflux (GERD). Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat, difficulty swallowing,
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is the upward movement of stomach content, including acid, into the esophagus and sometimes into or out of the mouth.
Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat can lead to esophagitis,
Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a condition in which affected individuals have severe nausea and vomiting that come in cycles. Researchers believe that cyclic
Esophageal manometry is a procedure for determining how well the
muscle of the esophagus works when diseases of the muscle are
suspected by measuring pressures (manometry) generated by the esophageal mu"...
