Esophagitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Esophagus and stomach anatomy

Esophagitis

Definition:

Esophagitis is a general term for any inflammation, irritation, or swelling of the esophagus, the tube that leads from the back of the mouth to the stomach.

Alternative Names:
Inflammation - esophagus
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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Esophagitis is frequently caused by backflow of acid-containing fluid from the stomach to the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux). It may also be caused by excessive vomitng, surgery, and medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, potassium, alendronate, and doxycycline.

In patients with weakened immune systems caused by HIV and certain medications (such as corticosteroids), esophagitis may be caused by an infection of the esophagus. Esophageal infection may be caused by viruses such as herpes or cytomegalovirus, and fungi or yeast (especially Candida infections).

The infection or irritation may cause the tissues to become inflamed and can occasionally cause ulcers. There may also be difficulty when swallowing, and a burning sensation in the esophagus.