What is esophagitis?
Esophagitis is any inflammation or irritation of the esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that sends food from your mouth to your stomach. Common causes include acid reflux, side effects of certain medications, and bacterial or viral infections. Reflux is when the stomach contents and acids back up into the esophagus.
This disorder can cause a variety of symptoms that include:
- trouble swallowing
- sore throat
- heartburn
Untreated esophagitis can lead to ulcers, scarring, and severe narrowing of the esophagus, which can be a medical emergency.
Your treatment options and outlook depend on the cause of your condition. Most healthy people improve within two to four weeks with proper treatment. Recovery may take longer for people with a weakened immune system or infection.
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