Does esophagitis cause chest pain?

Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 09, 2024
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People with esophagitis, generally reflux esophagitis, suffer due to the stomach acid refluxing back into the esophagus, which irritates or damages the mucous membrane of the esophagus. This causes symptoms such as congestion, edema, and pain, especially after consuming acidic, spicy, or overly hot foods, where the sensation of pain can become more pronounced. Thus, patients with esophagitis may experience symptoms of chest pain. By paying attention to dietary control, avoiding overly acidic, spicy, or hot foods, and taking medications that protect the esophageal mucous membrane and suppress stomach acid secretion, these symptoms of chest pain can gradually be alleviated and even completely cured.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Can esophagitis cause coughing?

Esophagitis generally does not cause coughing, as coughing is a symptom of respiratory diseases. Esophagitis mostly causes symptoms of the digestive system, such as heartburn, particularly when eating food, accompanied by painful swallowing, and pain behind the sternum. Severe esophagitis can lead to the narrowing of the esophageal lumen, difficulty swallowing, and may also present with vomiting. Esophagitis can also cause bleeding; bleeding of the mucous membranes can lead to vomiting blood or black stools. Recurrent esophagitis causes a decrease in appetite and impairs absorptive functions, leading to weight loss.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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What is good to eat for esophagitis?

For esophagitis, first pay attention to dietary hygiene. Meals should be regular, and consume soft, easily digestible foods, such as noodles, rice soup, and vegetable soup. Avoid dry, hard, cold, overly hot, and gas-producing foods, such as bean products, milk, and nuts. Also, eat fresh vegetables and adequately supplement plant-based fiber, reduce the intake of high-fat foods, and avoid smoking, alcohol, strong tea, coffee, and other irritant foods. Make sure to eat on a schedule, in small, frequent meals.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Does esophagitis cause constipation?

Esophagitis generally does not cause constipation. However, if a person has esophagitis and their gastrointestinal motility is reduced, constipation may occur. The main symptoms of esophagitis include feeling like there is a foreign object when swallowing, pain when swallowing, and pain behind the sternum. The diet for esophagitis generally consists of semi-liquid or liquid food. It is advisable to eat more vegetables and soft, easily digestible foods, and to avoid raw, cold, and strongly irritant foods. Additionally, it is important to hydrate regularly and choose antibiotics appropriately for treatment. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Which department should I go to for esophagitis?

Esophagitis is a disease of the digestive system and can be treated at the Department of Gastroenterology. Generally, it requires routine examinations such as barium meals of the esophagus or endoscopy. Through the examination of the barium meal, one can observe the disordered folds of the damaged esophageal mucosa, sometimes small niches and narrowing of the esophageal lumen can be seen. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy can reveal inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa. For milder cases of esophagitis, medication can be used primarily to inhibit the secretion of stomach acid and for anti-inflammatory purposes. More severe cases may require hospitalization for infusion therapy.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Esophagitis examination methods

Currently, for the examination of esophagitis in clinical practice, imaging studies are primarily used, including barium swallow tests and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Barium swallow tests are more commonly used in primary care hospitals, while upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is more frequently used in county-level and higher hospitals. Under barium swallow exam, it is possible to observe the disordered mucosal folds of the damaged esophagus, sometimes small niches and narrowing of the esophageal lumen can be seen. Under endoscopy, inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa can be detected.