Esophagitis refers to any kind of swelling, inflammation or irritation of the esophagus, regardless of the source. An episode of esophagitis can have symptoms that include difficult or painful swallowing, heartburn or a sore throat.

A number of different causes can be behind an episode of esophagitis, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
• Eosinophilic esophagitis, an autoimmune disorder
• Excessive use of alcohol
• Smoking
• Chest surgery, including treatments for lung cancer
• Some medications
• Frequent vomiting, as is found in conditions like bulimia
• Candida infections

If esophagitis is left untreated, it could lead to ulceration of the esophagus or even cancer. If the source of the esophagitis is identified, often the treatment is as simple as removing the cause.

Treating Esophagitis

Acid reflux can be treated in a variety of methods, including taking over-the-counter antacids or prescription medications. Changing eating habits can also help ease the symptoms of acid reflux.

If esophagitis is caused by alcohol consumption or smoking, it may be time to discuss these habits with your doctor. Addictions can be difficult to treat, but they are never impossible. Your doctor can help you set up a program to treat your addictions and prevent further damage to your esophagus.

Certain medications, such as Fosamax and other osteoporosis medications, ibuprofen, aspirin and even vitamin C can be rough on your esophagus. Taking these medications with plenty of water and not laying down immediately after taking them can help ease the discomfort. If you are taking Fosamax, follow your doctor’s directions carefully, as they are quite specific to help prevent esophagitis.

If your esophagitis is caused by an infection, like candida, treating the infection will treat the esophagitis.

For serious conditions like esophagitis caused by cancer treatment, bulimia or eosinophilic esophagitis, have a frank discussion with your doctor and follow your treatment program carefully.

Natural Esophagitis Treatments

A number of natural remedies are available to help ease the pain and discomfort of esophagitis. It is important to note that these remedies will not heal or cure the conditions that may be causing your esophagitis. They are primarily useful for easing the symptoms until the underlying condition is successfully treated.

• Drinking a single glass of cold milk can provide relief from esophagitis symptoms.
• Steep ginger tea using loose tea or teabags found in the natural foods section of your local market. Add honey to the tea and allow it to cool. Drink it lukewarm or iced for the best results.
• Eating yogurt every day can help to treat many throat infections, and is especially helpful if your esophagitis is caused by a candida infection.

Changing some of your eating habits can also provide you with relief from esophagitis symptoms. Eating several small meals a day, instead of three large ones can help treat your esophagitis, especially if acid reflux is the culprit. Chew your food thoroughly and take smaller bites. If you are having an acute flare, stick with soft foods like puddings, applesauce and cold soups and avoid spicy foods.

For more information on esophagitis treatment of for information on preventative care be sure to contact Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Burning esophagus is also known as heartburn, pyrosis and acid indigestion. It is classified as a burning sensation in the chest originating just behind the breastbone in the esophagus. The sensation usually rises in the chest and spreads to the throat, neck and in some cases even to the jaw. Those who suffer from occasional heartburn should not be alarmed; over-the-counter medications and changing your lifestyle can be just the remedy required. Those who experience more severe heartburn should make changes to their lifestyle and seek more intensive medical help.

In most cases heartburn is associated with the regurgitation of gastric acid which is also one of the significant indicators of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Burning esophagus is also an indicator of ischemic heart disease, so doctors have to be sure that they don’t misdiagnose patients who think they have gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Symptoms of heartburn include: a burning pain in the chest that is usually experienced after eating and tends to occur at night, pain that sharpens whenever you bend over or lay down. You should seek immediate medical attention when you experience acute chest pain and other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, pain in the arm and/or jaw as well as chest pain. Chest pain is especially important as it could mean that you’re having a heart attack. You should be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor if your heartburn flares up more than twice a week, if you have trouble swallowing or if your symptoms continue despite using over-the-counter medications.

There are certain kinds of drink and food that have been known to cause heartburn. The include: alcohol, chocolate, black pepper, coffee, fatty food, ketchup, fried food, orange juice, onions, mustard, peppermint, soft drinks, tomato sauce and vinegar.

Antacids such as Maalox, Gelusil, Tums, Rolaids and Mylanta can provide you with rapid and temporary relief, but antacids alone will not heal an inflamed esophagus that has been eaten away by stomach acid. Overuse of these over-the-counter medications can cause unfortunate side effects such as constipation or diarrhea. Medications called H-2 receptor blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet HB), ranitidine (Zantac 25, Zantac 75, Zantac 150), nizatidine (Axid AR) or famotidine (Pepcid AC). While these don’t act as quickly as antacids do, the relief they provide is longer. Even stronger versions of H-2 receptor blockers are available in prescription form.

For those who subscribe to an alternative medication lifestyle, there are some natural remedies that can help with heartburn. Aromatherapy, gentle exercise, hypnosis, music, massages and relaxation techniques can all be used to combat heartburn.

Lifestyle changes that can reduce heartburn include: maintaining a healthy weight, avoid tight clothing, eating smaller meals, avoiding food and drink that trigger burning esophagus, not lying down after meals and elevating the head of your bed. These small changes can have a large impact on your heartburn flare-ups. For more information on soothing and/or eliminating a burning esophagus be sure to visit Reflux Remedy at refluxremedy.com today!

Talk with your doctor today if you experience constant and acute heartburn as it may be an indication of a more serious medical condition.

There are specific erosive things that can cause you to have inflammation, swelling and irritation of your esophagus (throat).

The most common erosive thing that can cause esophagitis is acid reflux. Acid reflux is the main cause of gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is like heart burn on steroids!

The erosive nature of digestive acids does severe damage to your more sensitive throat (esophagus) lining. Esophagitis is one of the first symptoms that can lead to throat cancer.

If the cause of your acid reflux isn’t discovered the damage to your esophagus will eventually cause a mutation in your throat cells.

That’s correct; your throat cells will actually mutate to become more like your stomach cells.

This is an amazing feat of self preservation by your body/mind’s own automatic healing process. Hopefully you find a natural remedy for your erosive esophagitis before it gets that bad.

The trick to healing erosive esophagitis is to remove the cause of the inflammation, which in most cases is from your acid reflux.

Here are 5 things that can also trigger the symptoms of erosive esophagitis such as:

1. Pharmaceuticals

2. Vomiting

3. Herpes

4. Candida

5. Immune imbalance

You should suspect you have erosive esophagitis if you have difficulty swallowing or feel pain in your throat. If something was stuck in your throat you can expect the same symptoms of erosive esophagitis to develop. So if you take a lot of pills make sure you help them go down with some water.

If you have blood in your vomit you need to see a doctor immediately. Even if your stools are dark or tar-like you most likely have blood in your stools from the erosive esophagitis. In either case see a doctor immediately.

Some of the procedures doctors use to find out if you suffer from erosive esophagitis are:

• Endoscopy: Using a camera to directlt view inside your esophagus
• Biopsy: Cutting out a sample of your esophagus tissue.
• Culture: Taking a sample with a swab, without cutting your esophagus
• Barium X-Rays: Using a radioactive dye that enhanced the X-Ray photos.

Depending how bad your erosive esophagitis is determines how doctors will treat your symptoms. It’s not unusual for them to use Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs), antibiotics, steroids and pain medication.

Always look into discovering the cause of your erosive esophagitis, don’t just treat the symptoms . . . eliminate the cause and your throat will heal naturally given time.

You were born to heal,

Todd M. Faass

Health Advocate