Can you smoke with esophagitis?

Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

Updated on September 24, 2024

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Patients with reflux esophagitis must avoid raw, cold, spicy, and irritating foods, including tobacco, strong tea, and coffee. Nicotine, primarily found in cigarettes, adversely affects the patient's blood vessels and irritates the stomach and esophageal mucosa to varying degrees. It also stimulates the trachea, causing coughing. Therefore, it is crucial for patients with reflux esophagitis to quit smoking. Moreover, these patients must strictly control their diet, avoiding overly spicy, acidic, hot, or overly cold foods. Treatment is important, but regular maintenance is also very crucial.

Other Voices

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

40sec

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Can esophagitis cause chest tightness?

Esophagitis generally does not cause symptoms of chest tightness, as the inflammation in the esophagus typically leads to symptoms of the digestive system, and does not cause disorders of the respiratory or circulatory systems. Clinically, common symptoms of esophagitis include a burning sensation, along with difficulty swallowing and pain behind the breastbone. When the esophagitis is severe, it can lead to a narrowing of the esophageal lumen, causing a choking sensation when swallowing food, and possibly inducing vomiting. The inflammation can cause bleeding, which may manifest as vomiting blood or black stools.

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Written by Jiang Guo Ming

Gastroenterology

50sec

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What are the symptoms of esophagitis?

The causes of reflux esophagitis are varied, including dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, esophageal hiatal hernia, gastric emptying disorders, psychological factors, and external stimuli such as medications or alcohol. Often, patients also exhibit insufficient gastric motility and excessive stomach acid. Common symptoms include upper abdominal bloating, belching, heartburn, acid regurgitation, a burning sensation or pain behind the sternum, and sometimes chest pain during eating. Some patients may experience irritative dry cough, which is often more pronounced at night or when lying down, but it tends to ease when standing up due to the irritation caused by acid reflux.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 22sec

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Esophagitis should be seen in the Gastroenterology department.

For esophagitis, we generally recommend that patients visit the department of gastroenterology. As the name suggests, esophagitis refers to inflammatory changes in the esophagus, which can have many causes such as diet, medications, and acid reflux, among others. Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing esophagitis; under endoscopy, we can observe congestion, edema, and even erosions in the esophageal mucosa. Severe esophagitis can also present as ulcerations. Clinically, most cases of esophagitis present with heartburn and acid reflux, especially heartburn, which is characterized by a burning pain in the esophageal area. This is usually related to diet and symptoms can worsen after eating, leading most patients to seek care from a gastroenterologist. Additionally, a small portion of patients may experience other gastrointestinal symptoms such as burping and nausea. Thus, it is recommended for patients with esophagitis to undergo a thorough endoscopic examination at a gastroenterology clinic.

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Written by Huang Gang

Gastroenterology

57sec

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Can I eat sweet potatoes with esophagitis?

If esophagitis is not severe, it is okay to eat a moderate amount of sweet potatoes, as they are not highly irritating and do not significantly affect the esophagus. However, if the condition is more severe, it is necessary to control the intake of sweet potatoes. This is because sweet potatoes contain a large amount of starch, which can lead to bloating after consumption and can trigger symptoms such as indigestion. Additionally, nausea, vomiting, or acid reflux might occur. Sweet potatoes are sweet and can stimulate the excessive secretion of gastric acid, which not only causes nausea and vomiting but also affects the mucous membrane of the esophagus, potentially worsening the symptoms of esophagitis. Those with esophagitis should aim for a bland diet, eat smaller and more frequent meals, and chew slowly and thoroughly.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua

Gastroenterology

1min 15sec

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What to eat with esophagitis?

For patients with esophagitis, it is recommended that they eat an easily digestible, clean diet, but they should eat smaller, more frequent meals and not overeat. After eating, patients should pay attention to their body position; it is advised not to lie down flat immediately after eating. Instead, sit for half an hour or engage in light activity before lying down once any significant bloating has improved. For food, it is suggested that patients eat easily digestible, clean foods such as rice noodles and pasta, and avoid high sugar and high-fat intake. If symptoms are still pronounced, oral medications can be added, such as those that protect the intestinal mucosa, protect the stomach mucosa, and improve gastrointestinal motility. For most patients, the above treatments can provide some relief and control of symptoms like regurgitation and heartburn in esophagitis. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)