Esophagitis is a serious disease of the esophagus, which is accompanied by inflammation of its mucous membrane. It arises either because of its damage, or develops as a result of any pathology related to the gastrointestinal tract.
What becomes the prerequisites for the occurrence of this disease? What is characterized by its course? What symptoms indicate its presence? What is needed for treatment? What diet should be followed? Well, these and many other questions need to be answered.
Causes of the disease
It should be noted that, depending on the damaging factor, it is customary to distinguish several types of the pathological process:
- Alimentary. It develops as a result of regular intake of too sharp or hot food and alcohol.
- Professional. It occurs due to the influence of salts of heavy metals, alkali fumes and acids, etc.
- Stagnant. It develops due to irritation of the mucous membrane by accumulated food.
- Allergic. It is formed due to changes in the reactivity of the body.
- Radiation. Occurs due to exposure to radiation.
- Infectious. It develops due to infection of a person with cytomegalovirus, measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria, tuberculosis, herpes, etc.
- Drug. Its formation provokes the intake of certain drugs.
If a person has problems with immunity, then the development of esophagitis, the symptoms and treatment of which will be discussed further, can provoke even flu, parainfluenza, and infection with fungi of the genus Candida.
Also the cause in some cases is a massive cast of the contents of the duodenum and stomach during vomiting. Esophagitis can also develop due to a trauma to the esophagus by a foreign body or exposure to anesthetic fumes.
Disease development
The disease of this type lasts from a couple of days to several weeks, in rare cases - about three months, but not longer. Three out of a hundred people have acute esophagitis. Moreover, as a rule, it occurs in immunocompromised people - in those who are often ill.
The acute form of the disease develops in four stages, and each of them is characterized by certain symptoms:
- There is swelling and hyperemia (overflow with blood) of the mucous membrane.
- Single erosions are added to the named signs.
- Edema becomes pronounced. Erosions spread, the mucous membrane begins to bleed.
- In addition to the above, bleeding lesions appear. They occur at the slightest touch of the endoscope on the mucosa.
It is difficult to generalize about the treatment of esophagitis, since this disease manifests itself in a variety of forms. Therefore, it is now worth briefly telling only about some types of ailment, which are the most common.
Catarrh
A disease of this form can occur due to any of the above reasons. Symptoms include such manifestations:
- Burning sensation behind the sternum.
- Heartburn.
- Tingling or burning pains behind the sternum, aggravating with food.
- Burping.
- Increased salivation (hypersalivation).
- Edema.
- Hyperemia.
- Lymphocytic infiltration of the mucosa.
The diagnosis, as a rule, can be established by interviewing the patient, since a catarrhal disease has specific symptoms, and a history of ailments that could cause it is determined.
Laboratory tests in this case do not give results, since no changes are observed. Neutrophilic minor leukocytosis, perhaps. Esophageal radiography is also not very informative. However, it helps to eliminate the pathological narrowing of the organ and oncopathology.
But it is necessary to perform intra-esophageal pH-metry, as it helps to identify whether a patient has gastroesophageal reflux or not. Esophageal manometry is also needed to help characterize the motility of the esophagus.
However, the most effective diagnostic method is esophagoscopy and endoscopist consultation. This method is most effective for catarrhal esophagitis, the treatment of which will be described later. Using this method, it is possible to assess the condition of the mucous membrane, to identify its hyperemia and swelling. But esophagoscopy should be performed only after the acute phase subsides. Otherwise, you can injure the mucous membrane and aggravate the course of the disease.
Reflux esophagitis
Separately, it is necessary to say about this disease. It is dangerous with a sharp decrease in the level of acidity of the esophagus due to mixing of the contents of the organ with digestive enzymes, gastric reflux. As a rule, an ailment occurs for the following reasons:
- Cancer of the stomach or ulcer.
- Violation of the duodenal patency of the esophagus.
- The defeat of the vagus nerve.
- Pyloroduodenal stenosis.
- Esophageal hernia.
- Surgery on the stomach.
Since we are talking about the causes and treatment of esophagitis, it is necessary to list the symptoms indicating the presence of a disease of this form. These include persistent hiccups, heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, belching with food or air, regurgitation and nausea.
Therapy is aimed at stabilizing the acidity in the stomach. The drugs, of course, are prescribed by the doctor individually, but you can also try treatment with folk remedies. Symptoms of esophagitis and its manifestations can be tried to eliminate the following means:
- Mix flaxseed, chamomile flowers, lemon balm leaves and licorice rhizomes in a ratio of 2: 2: 1: 1. Grind and pour four tablespoons of the mixture with a liter of boiling water. Boil in a water bath for 10 minutes. Let it brew for 2 hours. Drink 4 times a day for 50 ml.
- In equal quantities, mix aniseed fruits, calendula flowers, calamus root, fireweed, mint, cinnamon, marjoram. Take 2 tbsp. l the resulting collection and pour boiling water (500 ml). Soak for 20 minutes in a water bath, then strain. Drink in 5 receptions per day.
- Squeeze juice from celery or from plantain. 1 tbsp. l mix with water (250 ml). Drink 100 ml before meals.
People say that treating the symptoms of esophagitis with folk remedies and decoctions can be really effective. However, before using them, you should consult your doctor.
Erosive form
The causes, symptoms and treatment of esophagitis of this species should also be described, since it is also common.
Its main feature is manifested in the formation of ulcers and erosion on the mucous membrane. Predisposing factors include:
- Pregnancy.
- Fasting smoking.
- Hernia of the diaphragmatic opening.
- Chronic stress
- Alcohol abuse.
- Errors in nutrition.
- Iatrogenic causes.
Symptoms are the same as with a disease of other forms. However, erosive esophagitis is more dangerous. Small ulcers gradually grow - they can occupy 60-70% of the mucosa of the esophagus or even degenerate into cancer of the esophagus tube.
As with a disease of a different form, a professional medical approach is needed. Treatment of esophagitis with folk remedies in this case is ineffective, although there is one prescription that is considered effective.
It is necessary to mix oregano, aniseed fruits, cinnamon, lemon balm, calendula and rhizomes of the mountaineer, 10 g each, and then 1 tbsp. l This collection pour boiling water (200 ml). Give 3 hours to infuse, strain, and then drink - 50 ml per hour.
They say this remedy relieves inflammation and heals wounds.
Hemorrhagic form
The disease of this species is accompanied by bacteremia - influenza, sepsis, typhus. One of the features is focal and small-pointed hemorrhages in the submucous and mucous membranes, as well as hemorrhagic exudation.
Symptoms include bloody vomiting, melena (black semi-liquid stools), regurgitation of mucus with blood, profuse esophageal bleeding.
You can get rid of the disease in five to seven days after the start of therapy. Many try treatment with folk remedies for esophagitis of this form. They say that the infusion is especially effective, for which you need to mix walnut leaves, repeshka and lemon balm with incense rhizomes, knotweed and plantain leaves. Pour two tablespoons of the mixture with boiling water (400 ml) and let it brew overnight. In the morning, filter and you can drink - 60 ml before meals. The course should be at least three weeks.
But it is recommended not to get carried away with self-medication, but to go to the doctor, as the consequences of this disease include posthemorrhagic anemia and massive bleeding, which can result in death.
General principles for the treatment of esophagitis
The most important role in this process is played by eliminating the cause of the disease, as well as minimizing the burden on the organ. Be sure to follow diet No. 1, which is described in more detail below.
If a person is diagnosed with acute damage (a burn of the esophagus, for example), then in the next two to three days he will have to refuse oral ingestion of food and liquid. In such cases, you need to switch to parenteral nutrition.
Esophagitis treatment will also be specific. The doctor will prescribe not parenteral drugs, but parenteral ones. As a rule, the reception of such medications is prescribed:
- Astringent preparations: silver nitrate, tannin, colloidal silver.
- Enveloping agents: calcium carbonate, bismuth nitrate.
- Painkillers, local anesthetics: anestezin, novocaine.
It is recommended to take them in a warm form, being in a horizontal position. Do not drink water. Usually, these measures are enough for medication to treat esophagitis and relieve symptoms. But if the patient's condition worsens, the doctor prescribes the administration of non-narcotic analgesics parenterally.
In cases where the disease is caused by an infection, a person is prescribed antifungal, antiviral and antibiotic drugs.
If severe widespread mucosal damage is diagnosed, injectable repair agents are required. A violation of the motility of the esophagus is an indication for its correction.
Diet
With esophagitis, the symptoms and treatment of which are now in question, it is important to observe a special diet. The purpose of the diet is to spare the mucous membrane of the esophagus and stomach as much as possible. The daily energy value should be equal to the following indicators:
- Proteins: ~ 90 g. Of these, half are of animal origin.
- Fats: ~ 80 g. Of these, 30 g of plant origin.
- Carbohydrates: ~ 350 g. Of these, up to 60 g of simple sugars.
- In general, the energy value should be about 2150-2480 kcal per day.
But here are the basic principles of a diet aimed at treating the symptoms of esophagitis:
- Food should be fractional. It is necessary to eat 5-6 times a day in small portions. The last dose is at least 2 hours before bedtime.
- The temperature of food and liquid should vary between 15-60 ° C.
- You have to eat slowly. Each piece must be thoroughly chewed to a porridge-like consistency.
- It is completely necessary to refuse alcohol and salt. These substances severely damage the already affected mucous membrane of the esophagus and enhance the synthesis of hydrochloric acid.
- The amount of fluid consumed per day should be 1.5 liters. You can not drink immediately after eating.
- Cooking should be steamed or by cooking, baking or stewing. Products must be wiped, boiled or finely chopped.
What not to eat?
The list of prohibited products is long. Observing the diet aimed at treating esophagitis, you will have to abandon the following:
- Fresh bread (rye and wheat), confectionery, fried donuts, pies, pancakes, pancakes.
- Meat, fish, poultry broths, even vegetable (if rich), borscht, okroshka, other soups.
- Veined and fatty meat.
- Salted, pickled, oily fish.
- Canned food.
- Smoked meats, spicy sausages, lard.
- Semi-finished products and fast food.
- Sour berries and fruits.
- Rough fiber vegetables.
- Chocolate and ice cream.
- Spices.
- Fatty dairy products and sour kefir.
- Fried or hard boiled eggs.
- Fatty and spicy cheeses.
- Sweet drinks, soda, coffee, tea, kvass.
- Pasta.
- Barley, corn, pearl barley, millet groats.
Unfortunately, you have to give up a lot. But therapeutic nutrition helps to alleviate discomfort and eliminate discomfort, and also normalizes the digestive tract.
What can I eat?
Since we are talking about the causes and treatment of esophagitis, it is necessary to tell separately about what people with this disease are allowed to eat. Menus can be built on the basis of such products:
- Yesterday or dried bread (gray and white).
- Dry cookies and biscuits.
- Vegetarian soups with small pasta and boiled cereals.
- Vermicelli.
- Mashed boiled porridge (oatmeal, semolina, rice, buckwheat). Better on the water. But you can mix water with milk.
- Cauliflower, zucchini, beets, cucumbers, potatoes, carrots, green peas. Rarely, in small quantities.
- Steamed protein omelettes and soft-boiled eggs.
- Skim milk, mashed cottage cheese, sour cream.
- Unsalted and mild cheeses.
- Low-fat poultry and meat in minced form (meatballs, meatballs, meatballs, souffle).
- Some offal (liver, tongue).
- Cooked sausage without fat (doctor's, dairy, diet).
- Lightly salted caviar.
- Sauces: bechamel (without frying flour), fruit, creamy, dairy.
- Garden herbs, cinnamon, vanillin.
- Meringue, honey, marshmallows, marmalade, pastille.
- Ghee and butter, refined vegetable oil.
- Weak coffee with low-fat milk, weak tea, a rosehip broth, compotes and juices from berries and sweet fruits.
- Melons, bananas, apricots, pears. You can make them mousse, jelly and jelly.
- Low-fat river fish in boiled or chopped form.
Well, as you can see, the diet for this disease is physiologically complete. Food is quite realistic to make diverse. The most important thing is to observe it. A well-thought-out diet regimen will enhance the effect of treating esophagitis with drugs and help achieve faster remission.