Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause of esophagitis.

• Acid reflux - Acid blocking medications, including H2-blockers and proton-pump inhibitors, may be used. For a few difficult cases, a type of stomach surgery can also help prevent reflux.

• Medications - Drinking a full glass of water after taking a pill can help. For severe esophagitis, it is sometimes better to stop the medicine and find alternative treatment. Since acid can worsen esophagitis caused by medications, your doctor may also recommend an acid-blocking medication to speed healing.

• Infections - These are treated with specific antibiotics. Some esophagus infections are difficult to treat with swallowed pills or liquids, so medicines may be given intravenously (into a vein).

While your esophagus is recovering, your doctor can ease your pain symptoms by prescribing pain relievers or a local anesthetic that can be swallowed in a thick liquid form to coat the esophagus lining.