Reflux esophagitis is divided into several grades.

Written by Luo Peng

Thoracic Surgery

Updated on September 15, 2024

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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.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu

Gastroenterology

49sec

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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.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie

Gastroenterology

1min 8sec

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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.

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Written by Si Li Li

Gastroenterology

1min 12sec

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Is reflux esophagitis serious?

Reflux esophagitis can be observed during an endoscopy as changes in the esophageal mucosa, including hyperemia, edema, erosion, and ulcers. The severity is graded based on the size of the erosion and ulcers, with smaller areas indicating milder conditions and larger areas indicating more severe conditions. An endoscopy can definitively diagnose reflux esophagitis, whose main symptoms include upper abdominal pain, chest pain, belching, acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment primarily involves acid suppression, protection of the stomach lining, and promoting gastric motility, with a treatment duration of about six to eight weeks. Dietary considerations include avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol, not consuming strong tea or coffee, and avoiding spicy, stimulating, fried, and barbecued foods that are difficult to digest.

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Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

45sec

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Can people with reflux esophagitis drink alcohol occasionally?

People with reflux esophagitis should not drink alcohol, as it can irritate the stomach lining and exacerbate the symptoms of esophagitis, leading to frequent recurrences of the condition. If you have reflux esophagitis, you should primarily eat a bland diet, and avoid spicy and stimulating foods. It is also important to avoid alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and foods that are overly sweet, sour, spicy, too cold, or too hot. Normally, it is advisable to consume foods that are easy to digest and absorb and are generally light. Therefore, regular treatment is also crucial for those suffering from reflux esophagitis.

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Written by Wang Hui Jie

Gastroenterology

1min 1sec

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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.