Oesophagitis
Oesophagitis is when the tissues lining the gullet (oesophagus) become irritated and inflamed. The condition can cause painful, difficult swallowing, and chest pain.
Inflammation can occur when your immune system has been activated to get rid of an infection or allergen or to repair damage done to the tissue. Many different factors, such as acid reflux, infections, or medications, can cause it.
Read on to learn more about this condition and its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options.
Symptoms
If you experience oesophagitis, you may notice common symptoms including:
Depending on how severe the condition is, you may also experience other symptoms such as indigestion, regurgitation, nausea and vomiting, mouth sores, and blood in your vomit.
Causes
Your oesophagus tissue may become inflamed if your immune system has been activated to get rid of an infection or allergen or to repair damage done to the tissue.
This can be a result of the following:
- Allergies
- Medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antibiotics
- Infections
- Acid reflux
- Radiation (as a result of radiation therapy for cancer)
- Autoimmune disease
Sometimes, the condition may have more than one cause.
Types
There are many types of oesophagitis. Oesophagitis tends to be labelled by the condition that causes it. These include:
Reflux oesophagitis
This is the most common type of oesophagitis. It happens when your stomach acid escapes and refluxes into your oesophagus, irritating and eroding the lining of your oesophagus. This may happen if you have frequent acid reflux or if you vomit frequently.
It is often associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), as this condition causes chronic acid reflux, leading to consistent inflammation and irritation in the throat.
Drug-induced oesophagitis
Certain medications can cause your stomach to be more acidic and trigger irritation in your oesophagus. These can include medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, ascorbic acid, potassium chloride, and some chemotherapies.
Infectious oesophagitis
This type of oesophagitis is rare. It is most often caused by infections such as:
- Candida albicans (yeast infection)
- Herpes viruses such as CMV or HSV-1
- HPV in the mouth
If you have a weaker immune system and are susceptible to more frequent infections in general, you may be more at risk. Conditions that can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to oesophageal infections, include diabetes, HIV/AIDs, or cancer.
Eosinophilic oesophagitis
Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a long-term (chronic) allergic condition that affects the oesophagus. In EoE, your immune system reacts to certain allergens—often foods or sometimes things in the environment—by sending white blood cells not found in that part of the body into the lining of your oesophagus.
When these white blood cells build up, they cause inflammation (swelling and irritation), which can make it harder for the oesophagus to work properly. Over time, this can lead to narrowing, making it difficult or painful to swallow.
Complications
Without receiving treatment, you can experience complications as a result of the condition. This can lead to changes in the structure of the oesophagus.
Complications that can occur include a stricture (scarring or narrowing of the oesophagus), tearing of the oesophagus lining, and the development of a condition called Barrett’s oesophagus.
Diagnosis
Your diagnosis will depend on the types of symptoms you may be experiencing. During your initial assessment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and discuss your family and medical history. They may also perform a physical examination to eliminate the chances of other conditions.
If they suspect you may have oesophagitis, further tests may be done to investigate your symptoms further and determine what may be troubling you. Tests performed may include an upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) or a barium x-ray.
If you have a gastroscopy, you may also have a biopsy taken to test what may be causing the inflammation, such as an infection or whether it is allergy-related.
Treatment
Your treatment options will depend on the type of oesophagitis you have. Medication is often prescribed to help tackle the cause, such as antifungal or antibiotic therapy for infections or PPIs or H2 blockers for reflux.
Book an appointment
If you are experiencing a constant sore throat, find it difficult to swallow when eating, or experience heartburn, you have oesophagitis. Our specialist will perform a series of tests to confirm your diagnosis and teach you how to manage your condition.
Contact us to book a private consultation with one of our trusted experts.