Reflux Esophagitis Treatment

Reflux esophagitis is seen quite often by doctors. It can be a painful condition, as well as an unnerving condition because it inhibits you from eating properly. Many people who suffer from reflux esophagitis experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, heart burn, mouth and throat sores, and painful swallowing. There are several different forms of treatment for this condition. The longevity of your condition, as well as its severity, will determine which treatment is best for you.

What is Reflux Esophagitis?

Esophagitis is the irritation of the esophagus, which is the tube that food passes through to get to the stomach. It can become inflamed for several different reasons, including illnesses or irritation from an outside source. Excessive vomiting can irritate the throat, as well as certain medications, like motrin or nsaids, that are taken over time. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, herpes, candida and reflux can cause esophagitis. It can even be caused by radiation from cancer treatments. When the esophagus gets inflamed, it can make it difficult to swallow and to keep food down. If esophagitis is suspected, it should be treated by your physician as soon as possible.

Medications for Esophagitis

Your doctor may want you to try medication first to see if they help to keep the stomach acid down rather than refluxing. There are several acid-blocking medications that can be purchased over the counter; there is Prilosec, Zantac, Tagamet and Pepcid. These were once prescription only medications, and now you can purchase them over the counter. Some people with reflux problems take products like Tums, Malox and Mylanta; these are popular antacids.

Diet With Esophagitis

Diet is very important in treating esophagitis. Your doctor will probably put you on a strict diet of no acid-based foods that are harsh on the stomach lining. He will have you eat bland foods and stay away from acid increasing and gas producing foods such as, pepper, spicy foods, tomatoes or acidic fruits, even coffee. Bland foods would include yogurts, plain pastas, cooked cereals, applesauce and custards. Anything that irritates the esophagus and stomach lining, can increase reflux.

Surgical Treatment

If medications and diet do not work to correct the problem, your doctor may think you are a candidate for a procedure called, fundoplication. This procedure has two purposes: one is to increase the LES pressure, (lower esophageal sphincter), and the other is to repair any hiatal hernia that may be present. The lower esophageal sphincter sits at the bottom of the esophagus and connects to the stomach. If the sphincter is not tight enough, food can reflux back up into the esophagus instead of continuing into the stomach.

Considerations

If you have experienced reflux problems over a length of time, it is best to see your physician as soon as possible. Esophageal reflux can cause severe damage to the esophagus over time, including increasing risks of esophageal cancer. Esophagitis is not only painful, but it can lead to other, more serious problems. It is also best not to diagnose yourself. You need a medical professional to tell you that it is esophagitis, and to help you decide which form of treatment is best for you.