Subscribe
Reflux esophagitis
Can grade C reflux esophagitis be cured?
Patients with Grade C reflux esophagitis can be cured; there is no need for excessive anxiety. Grade C indicates that the lesions of the esophageal mucosa are confluent but involve less than 75% of the esophageal circumference. Treatment for patients with Grade C reflux esophagitis requires regular medication, and the course of treatment may be relatively long. Consider using proton pump inhibitors to suppress gastric acid secretion and aluminum magnesium carbonate to protect the esophageal and gastric mucosa. Medications that enhance esophageal and gastric motility, such as mosapride, can also be considered. The choice, dosage, and administration of specific drugs should be under the guidance of a doctor. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)
How to deal with reflux esophagitis causing palpitations and a feeling of panic?
Patients with reflux esophagitis, if experiencing palpitations or a feeling of heart flutter, are advised to complete an electrocardiogram to rule out the possibility of heart disease. If heart disease causing these symptoms has been ruled out, then one may visit the hospital and consider taking oral proton pump inhibitors to suppress stomach acid secretion, reducing the erosive impact of acid reflux on the esophagus. Additionally, one can take protective agents for the stomach and esophageal mucosa, such as magnesium trisilicate, etc. The specific choice of medication and dosage should be used under the guidance of a doctor. Patients with reflux esophagitis should avoid alcohol, strong tea, coffee, etc.
Can reflux esophagitis be cured?
Reflux esophagitis can be cured, however, the recurrence rate of reflux esophagitis is more than 80%, and generally requires maintenance treatment. The treatment principles are acid suppression, enhancing the pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter, and protection of the mucosa. Next, let's specifically introduce non-drug treatments. Dietary therapy is very important, mainly involving reasonable dietary intake and good eating habits, which play a significant role in prevention. Another is positional therapy, mainly avoiding lying down immediately after meals, as well as quitting smoking and alcohol, reducing negative pressure, and taking some related medications or undergoing surgical procedures, etc. Generally, a combination of treatments is used to improve efficacy, and the treatment course should not be less than three months.
Can I occasionally eat ice cream with reflux esophagitis?
Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can occasionally eat ice cream. However, it is advisable for those with GERD to eat less high-fat food and avoid alcohol, strong tea, coffee, chocolate, etc. It is recommended to eat small, frequent meals and avoid overeating. Consuming fresh vegetables and fruits is encouraged, but patients should not have a heavy dinner or lie down immediately after eating. After taking medicine, it’s beneficial to stand and move around. Patients should maintain a regular diet, adhere to their medication schedule, and undergo regular endoscopic check-ups. Generally, GERD is not very severe.
Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease
The symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis are quite typical and include a range of symptoms. The most typical symptom is heartburn, primarily referring to a burning discomfort or pain felt behind the sternum or beneath the xiphoid process, usually occurring about an hour after eating, often accompanied by nausea. Another common symptom is acid regurgitation, which tends to occur more frequently on an empty stomach. Additional symptoms include chest pain, mainly due to the irritation of the esophageal mucosa by refluxed digestive juices, causing esophageal spasm and resultant pain. Difficulty swallowing is also a common symptom, initially mainly due to stress-induced spasms leading to swallowing difficulties. In later stages, it is often due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue forming scars that cause esophageal narrowing, resulting in swallowing difficulties. Other common symptoms include bloating, pharyngitis, cough, asthma, and more.
Reflux esophagitis is divided into several grades.
Reflux esophagitis can be classified into four grades based on the extent of esophageal mucosal damage: Grade A, B, C, and D. Grade A mainly involves damage to the folds of the esophageal mucosa, generally not exceeding 5 millimeters. Grade B refers to damage greater than 5 millimeters. Grade C indicates that the damage to the esophageal mucosa reaches 75% of the entire circumference of the esophagus; any damage below 75% falls into Grade C. Grade D, on the other hand, is quite severe, with extensive damage around the entire circumference of the esophagus, mainly divided into these four grades.
Can gastroesophageal reflux esophagitis be detected by a CT scan?
Reflux esophagitis generally cannot be detected on a CT scan unless it is very severe, at which point it may be evident on a CT. Diagnosis of reflux esophagitis is primarily through gastroscope examination, where damage and erosion of the esophageal mucosa can be observed. Patients with severe reflux esophagitis may experience symptoms such as acid reflux, heartburn, and a burning sensation behind the sternum. Additional diagnostic methods include upper gastrointestinal barium meal imaging and tissue pathology biopsy. An electrocardiogram can also be performed to rule out the possibility of conditions such as angina.
What are the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease?
The following are some symptoms: The most common and typical symptom is heartburn. It mainly manifests as a burning discomfort or pain behind the sternum and below the xiphoid process. This usually occurs about an hour after eating and may extend upward from the lower end of the sternum to the neck and between the shoulder blades, often accompanied by nausea. Another common symptom is acid reflux, which generally occurs more often on an empty stomach. Another symptom is chest pain, mainly caused by irritation of the esophageal mucosa leading to spasms. There is also difficulty swallowing, which is quite common; initially, it is often caused by a stress-induced spasm. In later stages, it is mostly due to the proliferation of fibrous tissue forming scars, leading to esophageal narrowing. Some less common symptoms include stomach bloating, pharyngitis, cough, asthma, and others.
Reflux gastritis and reflux esophagitis are not the same.
It's different. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refers to the abnormal reflux of stomach or duodenal fluids into the esophagus, causing a series of symptoms. Under endoscopy, severe esophageal inflammation and erosion can be seen, along with ulcers, fibrosis, etc. Prolonged episodes can lead to the development of Barrett's esophagus. On the other hand, reflux gastritis generally refers to bile reflux gastritis, which as the name suggests, is caused by the reflux of bile into the stomach. Endoscopically, swelling of the gastric mucosa can typically be seen, along with the presence of residual bile in the stomach, bile staining, and intestinal metaplasia, among others. Both conditions have clinically similar symptoms, including heartburn, acid reflux, and pain.
What should I do if reflux esophagitis causes vomiting and choking?
Patients with reflux esophagitis who experience vomiting and choking is relatively rare. Once vomiting and choking occur, it is necessary for the patient to urgently lie on their side, quickly expel the contents of the stomach and mouth, and they may drink some water to keep the respiratory and digestive tracts clear. If the patient still experiences choking after these measures, it is recommended to urgently visit a hospital for treatment. The specific treatment plan will be determined by a doctor based on the situation. The main symptoms of reflux esophagitis include reflux and a burning sensation in the stomach, which are the most common and typical symptoms for patients.