The esophagus is a hollow organ in the form of a tube up to 30 centimeters in length, connecting the larynx with the stomach. This body is rarely exposed to any disease. But, despite this, certain pathologies can also affect him. One of them is erosion of the esophagus. This is a very insidious disease that can lead to the development of dangerous complications. What symptoms are characteristic of this disease and how it is treated, we will consider in the article.
What is esophageal erosion?
Esophagus erosion is damage to an organ mucosa due to the penetration of gastric juice containing hydrochloric acid into it. In this case, irritation of the mucosa occurs, which provokes the development of erosion. The disease is dangerous because the symptoms of esophageal erosion do not appear immediately. The patient may not even suspect that he has a pathology, which in the future can lead to severe complications.
Pathology classification
Esophagus erosion is usually divided into the following types:
- Superficial. In this case, the mucosal lesions will be of small size. Symptoms of esophageal erosion are absent. This is dangerous for this type, since in the absence of treatment and the presence of provoking factors, it can move to the next type.
- Linear The patient begins to worry about pain and discomfort. Ulcers increase in size and create extensive foci of mucosal damage. With this type, there is a high probability of scar formation from connective tissue, which reduces the elasticity of the esophagus and worsen its patency. Requires immediate treatment.
Erosion is also divided according to severity:
- 0 degree. There are no symptoms of the disease, erosion is not visualized.
- 1 degree. Small lesions of the mucosa appear that do not touch each other and are small in size.
- 2 degree. Erosions are able to merge and affect up to half of the entire mucous organ.
- 3 degree. There is a complete defeat of the lower part of the esophagus. Ulcers form, which are deeper lesions than erosion.
- 4 degree. Symptoms are severe. If untreated, dangerous complications develop.
Causes
In general, erosion of the esophagus develops against the background of other pathological conditions of the body. Consider the most significant of them:
- a hiatal hernia is one of the main causes;
- insufficient tone of the walls of the esophagus;
- disruption of the sphincter;
- kidney pathology;
- lack of adipose tissue;
- gastroduodenitis;
- short esophagus;
- diabetes;
- increased abdominal pressure;
- prolonged stress;
- rachiocampsis;
- complications after surgery;
- traumatic damage to the esophagus (for example, eating spicy, hard or too hot food);
- wrong lifestyle;
- taking certain medications.
Symptoms
This disease is very dangerous in that the symptoms of esophageal erosion are very mild. Often the patient learns about the presence of pathology completely by accident. Signs begin to appear at more advanced stages, in which a full recovery becomes difficult. Symptoms of erosion of the esophagus and stomach are very similar, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Therefore, if a person with a disease of the gastrointestinal tract becomes disturbed by frequent heartburn, he does not pay much attention to it.
In addition to heartburn, the patient may be disturbed by the following symptoms:
- Burping.
- Vomiting or vomiting, and blood may be present in advanced stages in the vomit.
- Frequent hiccups.
- Increased salivation.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Nausea in the morning.
- Feeling of heaviness and fullness of the abdomen.
- Bad breath.
- Pain and burning in the chest and stomach. It should be noted that mainly such sensations are felt during eating or in a prone position. While lying down, the patient feels that the discomfort becomes much less.
- Discomfort when eating.
Many people, having discovered the above symptoms in themselves, begin self-treatment with drugs that relieve uncomfortable conditions. But, despite the fact that with erosion of the stomach and esophagus, the symptoms and treatment are similar, only a doctor can prescribe therapy after confirming the diagnosis.
Pathology diagnostics
Since the symptoms of a patient with erosion of the esophagus are poorly expressed and blurred, it is necessary to conduct diagnostic measures to exclude diseases of other digestive organs.
From the very beginning, an anamnesis is taken at the appointment with a gastroenterologist. The doctor clarifies the presence of symptoms, the living conditions of the patient, the presence of bad habits and past illnesses. It also checks how often the symptoms of the pathology are bothering, what time of day and under what circumstances the pain recedes. The doctor examines the neck, skin, chest.
The following diagnostic measures are carried out:
- blood tests, urine and feces;
- ECG;
- radiography of the esophagus;
- ultrasound examination of the abdominal organs;
- endoscopy;
- FEGDS;
- biopsy;
- colonoscopy is performed to exclude intestinal pathology.
Esophageal erosion treatment
Due to the fact that self-medication can aggravate the course of the disease, only the attending physician decides how to treat esophageal erosion. There are several very effective methods that are usually assigned at the same time. These include:
- Drug therapy, which includes drugs that help lower the acidity of the stomach and esophagus.
- Diet therapy.
- Also used for erosion of the esophagus folk remedies.
Consider each option in more detail.
Drug treatment
Medicines are prescribed by the attending physician only after an accurate diagnosis is made. The following types of medications are used:
- Antacids that reduce the degree of irritation of the esophageal mucosa and relieve symptoms are relieved by heartburn, nausea. Such drugs include Almagel, Fosfalugel and others.
- Prokinetics. They activate the process of digestion of food and, increasing the pressure in the lower part of the esophagus, reduce the time of exposure to hydrochloric acid on the mucous membrane of the organ. This action has Motilium.
- Alginates. Perform a protective function, covering the mucous surface of the esophagus with thick foam. They act very quickly, without causing allergic reactions. "Gaviscon" refers to drugs with this effect.
- Slime-forming drugs. For example, Venter, Keal. Form mucus, which, covering the affected areas of the mucosa, protects against the effects of hydrochloric acid and bile.
- Proton pump blockers that inhibit the formation of sulfuric acid. These include Omeprazole and Lansoprazole and others.
Very often, in addition to drug therapy, physiotherapy is added to treat esophageal erosion. These include:
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- mud therapy and others.
Diet therapy
When symptoms of esophageal erosion appear, diet plays a huge role in treatment. Proper nutrition is a key method of treatment of this pathology. Treatment with medical and folk remedies does not give a positive result if the patient does not have a corrected diet.
Consider the basic rules of the diet for this pathology:
- The food should be warm. It is forbidden to eat hot and cold food.
- It is necessary to eat fractionally, about 5-7 times a day in small portions.
- Do not drink while eating.
- Refuse fast foods, preferring homemade food.
- Food should not contain solid fragments. Preferably, if it will be steamed or boiled.
The list of products the use of which is allowed with esophageal erosion is presented below:
- mashed vegetable soups in which you can add low-fat sour cream;
- steam cutlets;
- well-boiled cereals;
- egg dishes, except fried;
- cottage cheese of low acidity and low-fat;
- pasta;
- dairy products and cheeses;
- lean meat and fish, steamed or baked;
- boiled or baked vegetables, for example, cabbage, zucchini, potatoes, broccoli, peeled eggplant and others;
- dried fruits as a part of compotes;
- jelly;
- berries and fruits - cherries, bananas, sweet strawberries, melon and watermelon;
- non-acidic juices and compotes.
The following products are prohibited:
- any spicy, fried, pickled food;
- smoked meats and sausages;
- citrus fruits and other fruits that can increase acidity;
- carbonated drinks, alcohol and coffee;
- ice cream;
- chocolate, especially dark;
- fat meat;
- spice.
Treatment with folk remedies for esophageal erosion
Traditional medicine has proven itself in the treatment of erosion. There are many recipes that are used as adjunctive therapy. With esophageal erosion, symptoms and treatment with folk remedies will be interconnected. But it is worth remembering that before taking them, you need to get the advice of a treating gastroenterologist.
The safest formulations include the following recipes:
- Raw potatoes. Freshly squeezed juice is used (you can grate and squeeze). 50 ml is taken about four times a day. The course lasts about 2 months, after which a break is made for two weeks, and the course resumes. This recipe allows you to remove the inflammatory process and heal existing wounds on the mucosa.
- Fresh carrot juice restores tissue that has been damaged by erosion. 70 ml is taken twice a day. Sometimes it is mixed with potato.
- Honey with a regenerating effect.
- Sea buckthorn oil, which is taken for about 2 months, 1 teaspoon before meals 2 times a day.
- Propolis in the form of tincture. It is crushed (10 grams) and filled with 100 ml of 70% alcohol. Insist in a dark place for about 10 days. Take 0.5 tsp. three times per day.
- Flax seeds, filled with boiling water and drunk after eating (1 tbsp.), Form mucus, which soothes the esophagus and reduces pain. It is a natural alternative to Almagel.
- Herbal teas - chop linden, St. John's wort, fennel, immortelle, valerian and marigold flowers. 1 tbsp. l pour such a mixture with a glass of boiling water and take 3 times a day.
To relieve symptoms of esophageal erosion, treatment with folk remedies brings good results. But only if it will be used together with other methods of getting rid of the disease.
Possible complications
Esophageal erosion is a very dangerous disease, which, due to mild symptoms, cannot be immediately diagnosed. Therefore, with this pathology, the risk of developing dangerous consequences is great. These include:
- Bleeding in the esophagus, often accompanied by vomiting with scarlet blood. One of the causes of this condition is damage to a blood vessel in an organ.
- Peritonitis.
- Hyperplasia is an increase in cell growth. It can provoke the development of malignant processes.
- Deep lesions and changes in the esophagus.
- Violation of swallowing.
- Shortening the esophagus.
- Organ ulcerative lesions.
- The development of thrombosis and more.
Prevention
There are no special preventive measures to eliminate the symptoms of esophageal erosion. But it is recommended to lead a healthy lifestyle, giving up junk food, smoking and drinking alcohol. Strengthen immunity, exercise, avoid stressful situations. It is also very important to visit a doctor and undergo the necessary tests twice a year.
Conclusion
The prognosis for esophageal erosion is favorable if the recommendations of the attending physician are followed and there are no factors provoking the development of pathology. Treatment can take anywhere from two weeks to several months. It is very important to listen to your body. Having noticed certain symptoms, you should not self-medicate, exacerbating the course of the disease, but you should consult a doctor as soon as possible and take the necessary tests to make an accurate diagnosis.