Methods for treating catarrhal esophagitis

2023 Author: Alfred Shackley | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 13:14

The mucous membrane of the human esophagus tends to become inflamed after prolonged physical or chemical irritation. This is how the disease, called catarrhal esophagitis, develops. The disease often occurs in a chronic form, however, with a sharp impact of an aggressive factor, an acute form of the disease may occur.

Often, the ailment is accompanied by a whole bunch of other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The risk group, as a rule, includes people of different ages and genders, who are prone to frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages and to improper diet.

The causes of esophagitis

The disease appears against the background of exposure to many factors associated with the effect on the mucous membrane of the esophagus. Anatomically, the esophagus is located in such a way that the number of its irritants is very high, and negative effects can come from both the inside and the outside.

Among exogenous, that is, external factors, chemical and thermal irritants are distinguished. The consumption of alcoholic beverages, spicy foods, as well as exposure to acids and alkalis are classified as chemical factors. Thermal factors mean systematic burns as a result of regular consumption of hot food or drink. It happens that inflammation of the esophagus is caused by certain conditions accompanied by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure.

This could be a tumor, lung disease, or pregnancy.

Endogenous (or internal) factors are much more common. For example, distal catarrhal esophagitis occurs against the background of insufficiency of the cardia - the lower sphincter, which acts as a barrier between the stomach and the esophagus. The weakness of this sphincter provokes the injection of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus. This phenomenon is called reflux. Acid and enzymes that enter the esophagus as a result of cardia insufficiency inflame and corrode the mucous membrane.

Distal catalytic esophagitis - what is it?

A pathological condition known as distal or terminal esophagitis is caused by the ingress of gastric juice and bile into the esophagus due to infectious diseases or other factors. The disease is also referred to as reflux esophagitis or reflux disease.

In medical practice, it is known that a pathology such as catarrhal reflux esophagitis is provoked by the following factors:

• hernial protrusions in the diaphragm;
• postoperative damage to the cardia;
• ulcerative diseases;
• cholelithiasis;
• obesity;
• neoplasms in the abdominal cavity;
• pregnancy;
• chronic infectious diseases.

Symptoms of catarrhal terminal esophagitis and reflux disease

The catarrhal form of the disease has the following clinical manifestations:

1. heartburn;
2. belching;
3. difficulty swallowing;
4. dull pain in the esophagus;
5. severe salivation.

Reflux esophagitis manifests itself as follows:

• indigestion;
• burning pains in the stomach and esophagus;
• heartburn;
• belching;
• pain radiates to the interscapular zone and the left half of the chest;
• cough and shortness of breath are possible.

For any form of esophagitis, burning in the epigastric and retrosternal zone is characteristic, as well as belching with air or stomach contents. In addition, nausea and increased salivation are among the common symptoms.

Diagnosis of the disease

When the characteristic symptoms of esophagitis are identified, a number of studies are needed for a definitive diagnosis, in particular:

1. laboratory analyzes of urine and blood;
2. X-ray of the stomach;
3. esophagoscopy;
4. daily monitoring of the level of acidity of the esophagus.

Esophagoscopy involves endoscopic examination of the mucous membranes of the esophagus. Before carrying out the procedure, it is important to consider all contraindications.

Treatment of catarrhal and distal esophagitis

As a rule, treatment measures to get rid of mild catarrhal esophagitis are conservative treatment. Catalysis esophagitis requires surgical intervention only if its complications have led to dangerous forms of the disease.

Medicines prescribed for treatment are antacids that decrease gastric secretion.

• With severe painful sensations, doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that do not irritate the mucous membrane. The course of treatment usually also includes physical therapy.
• One of the main conditions for recovery is diet. A disease such as esophagitis requires a special diet aimed at normalizing bile secretion and restoring the functions of damaged organs.

Strong tea and coffee, spicy and fatty foods, chocolate, soda, citrus fruits and rough foods that can damage mucous membranes are excluded from the diet.