Esophageal erosion

Esophageal diseases are not as common as stomach diseases or other parts of the digestive system. However, these pathologies are as serious as any inflammatory processes in the body. Esophageal erosion is a complex disease, if only because it can only be detected by gastroscopy.

There are no specific symptoms of this disease, so a person may not even suspect that he or she has this disease for some time.

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Causes of esophageal erosion

The following diseases and conditions can lead to erosive lesions of the esophagus:

• increased intra-abdominal pressure;
• weakening of the muscle tone of the esophagus;
• shortening of the esophageal tube as a result of inflammatory-adhesive changes or a tumor process;
• atrophic process of the left lobe of the liver;
• overstretching of the esophageal diaphragmatic sphincter;
• lack of fatty tissue below the diaphragm of the esophagus, between the chest and abdominal cavity;
• disorders in the thoracic spine, such as kyphosis – a backward curvature of the spinal column.

The listed pathologies create conditions for the formation of an axial diaphragmatic hernia (without damage to the diaphragmatic-esophageal membrane), which contributes to erosion of the esophagus.

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Symptoms of esophageal erosion

Quite often, the course of erosive lesion of the esophagus is asymptomatic, hidden and unexpressed. However, in most cases there are complaints of sluggish or sharp pain behind the breastbone, sometimes radiating to the abdominal cavity. Sometimes such pain is mistaken for an attack of angina.

The pain and discomfort increase when eating or when changing the position of the body - when bending, running, lying down. The pain may be combined with a feeling of internal pressure, fullness - such sensations are somewhat reduced in a standing position.

Indirect signs of esophageal erosion include the following symptoms:

• pain when swallowing (difficulty swallowing);
• the appearance of belching;
• frequent hiccups;
• heartburn;
• attacks of nausea and vomiting;
• increased salivation;
• the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the mouth.

Let us recall that esophageal erosion does not have specific symptoms that are unique to this disease. Therefore, it is impossible to make a diagnosis based on the clinical picture alone: additional diagnostic studies are carried out for this purpose.

Linear erosions of the esophagus

Erosive lesions are conventionally divided into superficial and linear. Linear erosion is damage to the mucous membrane with the formation of small ulcers at first, which subsequently turn into more diffuse foci. Linear erosion, as a rule, is the result of superficial erosion that has not been treated. It is more noticeable during examination and requires more complex treatment.

With this type of erosion, the mucous membranes of the esophagus are severely deformed. Undesirable adhesions (scarring) are formed, which only worsen the condition and impair the patency of the esophageal tube. Often, linear damage occurs when acidic gastric juice penetrates into the esophagus cavity, causing an alkaline environment to form in it. Other causes of linear erosion may be:

• chemical burns;
• injury to the mucous membrane by very rough or spicy food.

Often the superficial process does not manifest itself with any symptoms. Signs of the disease are more pronounced when the pathology passes into the linear phase.

Consequences of esophageal erosion

Despite the unexpressed clinical picture of the pathology, erosion is considered a fairly serious disease that can provoke the development of a large number of complications and adverse effects.

Perhaps the most dangerous complication is damage with a ruptured vessel and the onset of bleeding in the esophagus. The main symptom of this condition is vomiting with obvious blood content - the vomit is scarlet. Most often, this complication is observed in male patients prone to alcohol abuse, as well as in heavy smokers and people subject to frequent and severe stress. In elderly patients, this condition occurs less often than in young people, but in them, erosion often turns into a mucosal ulcer.

Among other possible consequences of erosive damage to the esophagus, one can note the formation of significant linear damage to the organ tissue:

• deep ulcers of the mucous membrane;
• esophageal vascular thrombosis;
• the emergence of various tumor processes;
• the formation of obstructions, scars, and narrowings that interfere with the normal functioning of the esophagus and impede blood flow in the esophageal tube.

Given the variety of possible consequences, treatment of the disease must begin immediately after diagnosis, without wasting precious time.

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Treatment of esophageal erosion

Treatment of the disease should not be carried out independently. Since the disease is quite complex, the scheme of procedures and appointments should be determined by a doctor. The patient can only supplement drug treatment with traditional medicine recipes, after consulting with a doctor.

Therapeutic measures for erosive lesions of the esophagus are usually complex, so we will consider all the most common treatment options for the pathology.

• Treatment of esophageal erosion with drugs includes the use of antacids, biologically active alginates and prokinetic agents.
• Biologically active alginates are produced from brown seaweeds, which contain alginate acid salts and hyaluronic acid. The main properties of alginates are considered to be the ability to adsorb exudative secretions, eliminate bleeding, envelop the affected surface, protecting it from unwanted adverse effects. Such drugs include, for example, Gaviscon (Gaviscon), which is prescribed 2-4 tablets for chewing after each meal, as well as at night. Gaviscon in suspension is used 5-10 ml at a time.
• Proton pump inhibitors (Omez, Omeprazole, Nexium) and h²-histamine blockers (Zantac, Gastrosidine, Ranitidine) reduce the secretion of gastric juice, thereby reducing its negative effect on the walls of the esophagus.
• Prokinetic agents Motilium, Ganaton, Cisapride (4 times a day, 10 mg) – facilitate the work of the stomach, increase pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter.
• Antacid drugs (reduce acidity, eliminate the feeling of heartburn and pain, coat the walls of the esophagus, promoting the healing of mucosal damage) - Maalox, Almagel, Phosphalugel, etc.

Treatment of esophageal erosion with folk remedies includes the use of herbal preparations and natural food supplements.

During the treatment period, it is recommended to drink freshly squeezed potato juice, at least four times a day, 50 ml per dose. The duration of such potato therapy is about 50-60 days. Then you can take a break in treatment (1-2 weeks), after which you can resume the intake. Up to 4 treatment courses can be carried out during the year.

Carrot juice is considered no less useful: it is drunk on its own or mixed with potato juice 1:1.

The following medicinal infusion is recommended for effective treatment: 2 parts linden flowers, 2 parts each of marigold and fireweed, 1 part horsetail herb, 1 part each of dill, valerian rhizome, celandine, St. John's wort, chamomile and immortelle. One tablespoon of the mixture is poured with 500 ml of hot water and infused under a lid (preferably in a thermos) for at least three hours. Then the medicine is filtered and prescribed to be taken - 4 times a day 30-35 minutes before meals, 100 ml.

Natural honey gives a good result in treatment – it helps to tighten erosion and stimulates regenerative processes in the mucous membrane. The treatment is quite simple: between meals, consume 1 tablespoon of honey. Honey for esophageal erosion will help not only in treating the disease, but also strengthen the body as a whole.

Other herbs used for esophageal erosion include hawthorn, calamus rhizomes, knotweed or dandelion rhizomes, oregano, and corn silk. The plants can be brewed separately or as a random mixture. Drink 30 ml for 2 months.

Sea buckthorn oil for esophageal erosion is a fairly common medicine. The oil restores the mucous membrane, accelerates healing, destroys microbial infection, inhibits the secretory activity of the stomach, envelops the walls of the esophagus, protecting them from the damaging effects of food and various chemicals. For erosion, sea buckthorn oil is taken half a tablespoon 3 times a day 15 minutes after eating and at night. Duration of treatment is until complete recovery + another 15-20 days.

Treatment of esophageal erosion with flaxseed oil can be an alternative to sea buckthorn. After all, it is an excellent source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. However, it should be taken into account that the shelf life of flaxseed oil is much shorter than that of sea buckthorn oil, since this type of oil oxidizes quickly. This oil is stored only in the refrigerator, in a sealed container, for no more than 3 weeks.

Nutrition for esophageal erosion

• Excessively hot or cold food can significantly worsen the patient's condition.
• It is not recommended to drink water while eating.
• In order not to affect the acidity of gastric juice, food should be consumed in small portions, but more often than usual - about 6 times a day.
• It is necessary to eat simple, easily digestible food, preferably not containing coarse elements, mashed. These can be various purees, cream soups, steamed meat and fish products, porridges, kissels, jellies, mousses.
• It is advisable to drink 200 ml of fresh milk at night.
• During an exacerbation of the disease, all raw vegetables or fruits are excluded from the diet.

The following diet is used for esophageal erosion:

• in the acute period – therapeutic diet 1a;
• after 10-12 days – treatment table 1b;
• after 20 days – diet No. 1.

During the recovery period, the patient is prescribed diet No. 1, but the doctor can make his own adjustments and expand the list of permitted products.

What can be consumed:

• boiled, steamed products in chopped or mashed form;
• warm foods and liquids;
• dairy products.

What you shouldn't eat:

• fried, baked and fatty foods;
• hot spices, sauces;
• hot food;
• ice cream;
• carbonated and alcoholic drinks;
• dry, coarse and unprocessed food.

Deviation from the rules of such a diet and a return to previous habits will in any case lead to a resumption of pain and discomfort.

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Prevention of esophageal erosion

There is no specific prevention of the disease. It is important to detect and treat diseases of the digestive organs in time, and to consult doctors promptly and without delay. Do not self-medicate, especially without knowing the diagnosis. All medications and traditional medicine should be used only after consultation with a specialist.

If you contact a doctor in a timely manner, the prognosis for esophageal erosion can be considered favorable. If the disease has been neglected, ulcers and even perforations have appeared, surgical treatment may be prescribed, which in the future may affect the patient's quality of life and diet.

Esophageal erosion requires careful patient monitoring, using laboratory and instrumental control methods. To assess the condition of your esophagus and the likelihood of possible consequences, as well as to develop a treatment program, you should visit a doctor and undergo all necessary diagnostic procedures.