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Chronic esophagitis
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Chronic esophagitis is a disease of the esophagus, which is characterized by inflammation of the mucosa of the esophagus lasting more than 6 months.
Inflammation of the mucosa of the esophagus lasting up to 3 months is considered acute esophagitis, lasting from 3 to 6 months - subacute esophagitis.
[What causes chronic esophagitis?
Depending on the cause, which causes the development of chronic esophagitis, the following types of disease are distinguished.
Alimentary esophagitis
Alimentary esophagitis occurs as a result of permanent traumatization of the mucous membrane of the esophagus by hot, acute, too cold, rough food, and also due to alcohol abuse.
Professional esophagitis
Professional esophagitis develops as a result of constant exposure to the mucous membrane of the esophagus of harmful production factors (vapors of concentrated acids, alkalis, salts of heavy metals, and others).
Congestive esophagitis
Stagnant esophagitis is caused by a constant and prolonged stagnation and decomposition of food in the esophagus. This condition can be observed with the following diseases: diverticula of the esophagus, benign and malignant stenoses of the esophagus and achalasia of the cardia.
Peptic esophagitis or reflux esophagitis
This form of esophagitis develops due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) .
Pathogenesis of chronic esophagitis
The pathogenesis of chronic esophagitis consists in the damaging effect of etiological factors on the mucosa of the esophagus, as well as in reducing its protective properties and resistance.
Symptoms of chronic esophagitis
Symptoms of chronic esophagitis depend on the degree of inflammatory changes in the mucosa of the esophagus, concomitant esophagus dyskinesia and those conditions that caused the development of chronic esophagitis.
Where does it hurt?
What's bothering you?
Diagnosis of chronic esophagitis
Diagnosis of chronic esophagitis is based on the use of instrumental research methods (esophageal X-ray, esophagoscopy, esophagomanometry, 24-hour intra-esophageal pH-metry) and laboratory methods (general blood test).
Diagnosis of chronic esophagitis
Differential diagnosis of chronic esophagitis reduces to differential diagnosis of the main symptoms of the disease - dysphagia, pain for the sternum, eructations and vomiting.
What do need to examine?
Who to contact?
Treatment of chronic esophagitis
The treatment of chronic esophagitis pursues the main goal - elimination of the cause of the disease, the detection of which occurs through a comprehensive examination of the patient, which includes the study of its VNS, the functional and organic state of the gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory tract. If necessary, conduct probe nutrition, and also eliminate the anatomical defects of the esophagus and tumor diseases. Non-surgical treatment of chronic esophagitis is in the competence of vestigators-gastroenterologists, surgical - in the competence of thoracic surgeons.
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