What is esophagitis 1 tbsp. Esophagitis - what is it? Esophagitis: symptoms and treatment. Lifestyle with illness

Frequent heartburn is a sign of the development of chronic distal esophagitis. Acute attacks of this disease usually pass quickly, but if inflammation of the esophagus is a frequent concern, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis and start treatment in order to avoid complications of the pathology. There are several types of distal esophagitis, each of which has its own characteristics of the course.

Distal esophagitis is a disease of the esophagus characterized by an inflammatory process on the mucous membrane of its lower section, located near the stomach. Such inflammation is not always a pathology - in the normal state, it indicates that too aggressive food has entered the body. The process becomes permanent when the defense mechanisms are weakened and under the influence of a number of other factors.

Causes of pathology

According to the etiological sign (reasons), several types of distal esophagitis are distinguished:

Alimentary- due to mechanical, chemical, thermal and other effects on the esophagus. It is a natural reaction to hot, spicy, poorly chewed food, strong alcohol, cigarette smoke.
Professional- due to exposure to harmful substances in production (vapors of acids and alkalis, metal salts, etc.).
Allergic- Caused by the body's reaction to an allergen taken with food.
Infectious- due to infection with measles, scarlet fever, diphtheria and other infections. In this case, the most morphological varieties of pathology occur.
Reflux esophagitis- due to ingestion of digested food from the stomach into the esophagus. This may be due to the weakness of the lower sphincter, located on the border of the two sections of the gastrointestinal tract, hernia - a protrusion of the stomach into the esophagus, and some diseases. Symptoms are more pronounced if the pathology is combined with factors that cause increased secretion of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
stagnant- Irritation of the esophagus with food debris stuck in it. Food may not pass into the stomach due to insufficient relaxation of the sphincter, congenital or stenotic reduction in the lumen of the esophagus, protrusion of its wall (congenital, caused by a benign or cancerous tumor, etc.)
candida- occurs when the fungus of the genus Candida, which causes thrush in the oral cavity, spreads to the mucous membrane of the esophagus. It is rare, because for this, candidiasis must be very neglected.

Important! Distal esophagitis is often not an independent disease, but a symptom of other problems with the body.

Because of this, frequent heartburn cannot be ignored - you need to contact a gastroenterologist for an examination.

Morphological forms of esophagitis

One of the main classifications of distal esophagitis is based on the nature of morphological changes occurring in the tissues of the esophageal mucosa. On this basis, the following main forms of pathology are distinguished:

Catarrhal (superficial) - the most common, characterized by redness and swelling of the mucous membrane. At the same time, tissues are not destroyed, therefore, with timely treatment, inflammation disappears without health consequences. Most often, this form occurs when the mucous membrane comes into contact with hydrochloric acid from the stomach. Less often - with esophagitis of an infectious nature.
Erosive. It is characterized by the formation of bleeding erosions and ulcers on the wall of the esophagus. It occurs with mechanical or chemical tissue damage (sometimes due to prolonged use of glucocorticoid drugs) and with infectious esophagitis.

Erosive distal esophagitis can be additionally divided into several types:

Hemorrhagic esophagitis is not always isolated in a separate form; differs in some features of the inflammatory process, which can only be determined by histological examination. It is characterized by a severe course with a high probability of exfoliation of the mucous membrane, hematemesis.
The fibrinous type of pathology occurs in childhood infectious diseases, as well as in adults as a side effect of radiation therapy and in hematological diseases. It is distinguished by the formation of a grayish-yellow film over the inflamed areas of the mucous membrane, which can exfoliate, revealing bleeding erosions and ulcers. The film consists of fibrin, which is why this form is also called pseudomembranous - a real membrane is formed from epithelial tissue. Clinically, fibrinous esophagitis does not differ from acute erosive pathology.
Exfoliative (membranous) esophagitis is characterized by delamination of the mucous membrane of the esophagus - the membrane in this case is a thin layer of detached epithelial tissue. In severe cases of pathology, flaps of deep-lying tissues can exfoliate, which leads to the formation of perforations, bleeding, which sometimes results in death. The reason for the development of this form of pathology are severe chemical burns, infectious diseases (smallpox, shingles).
In the rarest cases, necrotizing distal esophagitis occurs. It occurs with a critical weakening of the immune system, combined with severe infectious diseases (typhoid, sepsis, etc.). Morphologically manifested in tissue necrosis.

A complication of any form of pathology can be phlegmonous esophagitis, which occurs as an independent disease in cases of mechanical damage to the mucous membrane by foreign bodies and burns. In this case, purulent edema and abscesses form on the wall of the esophagus, which can spill and melt the mucous membrane.

A separate form is chronic esophagitis, which develops as a result of prolonged exposure to the mucous membrane of the esophagus. Its most common type is peptic esophagitis, caused by the systematic ingress of gastric juice into the lower esophagus. Its complication is peptic ulcer.

Degrees of the disease

Based on changes in the tissues of the mucous membrane, identified during the endoscopic examination of the esophagus, the severity of the pathology is determined:

I degree- inflammation is focal, mild. There is friability of the mucosa at the junction of the esophagus with the stomach. The folds are slightly smoothed out.
II degree- the occurrence of separate elongated erosions, capturing only the upper layers of the mucous membrane and extending to no more than 10% of the surface of the wall of the lower third of the esophagus. Possible exudate.
III degree- single erosions merge with each other, exudate is abundantly secreted, tissue necrosis begins. The area of the affected surface is not more than 50% of the total.
IV degree- erosions that are completely merged, affect the esophagus in a circle, spreading more than 5 cm from the entrance to the stomach. Necrosis intensifies, ulcers form, affecting the deep layers of the epithelial tissue. The lumen of the esophagus narrows.

Narrowing of the esophagus interferes with the passage of food into the stomach. If left untreated, the ulcer can go into perforation of the esophageal wall, which is fraught with death. A serious complication of esophagitis can be cancer associated with the fact that the cells of the mucous membrane of the esophagus degenerate into cells of the gastric epithelium.

Clinical manifestations

The main symptom of most forms of esophagitis is severe heartburn that occurs immediately after eating. It is usually observed in a horizontal position of the body, disappearing when taking a vertical posture. It also increases with active physical activity and overeating.

In the early stages of the development of the disease, the following symptoms are also observed:

belching with a sour or bitter taste that occurs with reflux esophagitis, when the contents of the stomach rise into the oral cavity;
increased secretion of saliva;
difficulty and pain in swallowing.

These symptoms disappear or weaken after taking antacids - drugs that neutralize the acid component of gastric juice.

As the pathology develops, the following clinical signs of esophagitis appear:

hoarseness and cough, sore throat;
hiccups that appear after belching;
heaviness in the abdomen;
chest pain;
isolation with cough and vomiting of exfoliated flaps of epithelial tissue lining the wall of the esophagus.

Acute esophagitis is sometimes accompanied by fever, weakness, and nervousness.

Methods for eliminating pathology

First of all, the cause of the inflammation must be eliminated. With the infectious nature of the disease, the basis of treatment will be a course of antibacterial or antiviral drugs. Fungal inflammation is treated with fungicidal preparations. If distal esophagitis is idiopathic (of unclear origin) or caused by a single mucosal lesion, therapy will be based on symptomatic relief.

Diet

In most cases, the inflammatory process stops on its own as soon as the patient's nutrition returns to normal. It is necessary to limit the irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the esophagus by excluding fried, spicy, smoked foods and too hot dishes from the diet. To avoid mechanical damage to inflamed tissues, food should be crushed before use and chewed thoroughly. You also need to limit the use of strong alcohol, juicy fruits and vegetables, smoking.

The patient's diet should consist of dietary meat and fish, non-acidic juices, mineral water, steamed vegetables, cereals, low-fat dairy products. Enveloping products are recommended - for example, vegetable oil. If reflux esophagitis is diagnosed, you should not take a horizontal position: within two hours after eating it is better not to go to bed at all, but you need to sleep with your upper half of your body elevated.

Medical therapy

Drugs are prescribed if the pathology has reached the late stages of development and with complications. In addition to drugs that help fight the cause of esophagitis, the following medications are used:

antacids - omeprazole, as well as acidity stabilizers;
prokinetics (stimulators of gastrointestinal motility) - domperidone;
antispasmodics;
enveloping agents;
analgesics.

In the chronic form of the disease, specific drugs are needed that reduce acidity, but are not absorbed into the mucous membrane. These include medicines based on alginic acid.

Folk remedies

From heartburn with distal esophagitis, herbal decoctions help. Plant components have an antacid, enveloping, anti-inflammatory effect, they can be used in various combinations. It is recommended to change the decoction recipe every two weeks for better treatment effectiveness.

The following means are applied:

flax seeds are a good antacid;
chamomile has an anti-inflammatory effect;
lemon balm leaves soothe inflamed tissues;
rose hips accelerate the regeneration of the epithelium.

From these components, it is easy to collect a decoction that will help relieve almost all the symptoms of acute distal esophagitis. For example, to relieve pain, inflammation and reduce acidity, the following collection is used: 2 tbsp. chamomile and flax seeds are mixed with 1 tbsp. l. motherwort, lemon balm leaves and licorice root. The mixture is poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water and infused for 10 minutes. The tincture is filtered and consumed in the amount of 1/3 cup 4 times a day.

Potato juice, sweet water, mint or chamomile tea, dry raspberry leaves will help get rid of heartburn.

Inflammation relieves decoction of dill. Ground seeds of the plant in the amount of 2 tsp. pour a glass of boiling water and infuse for several hours. A decoction is used before meals, 1 tbsp. l.

Important! Decoctions should be insisted on water - alcohol tinctures will aggravate the inflammatory process in the esophagus.

In addition to decoctions, the following herbal remedies can be used:

aloe juice - envelops the mucous membrane of the esophagus, preventing food from irritating it;
sea buckthorn oil - analgesic.

Esophagitis complicated by recurrent bleeding or perforation of the esophagus is treated with surgery.

Diagnostics

The main methods for diagnosing esophagitis are x-rays of the esophagus and endoscopic examination, which helps to assess the degree of damage to the mucous membrane. With the help of these procedures, the degree of development of the pathology is also established and the cause of the disease is determined.

Diagnosis can be supplemented by esophagomanometry - a procedure that assesses esophageal motility disorders. Daily monitoring of esophageal pH is also used.

Features of prevention

Prevention of acute distal esophagitis is:

avoidance of mechanical, thermal and chemical damage to the esophagus;

Many people are concerned about the question, what is it - reflux esophagitis of the first degree? Reflux esophagitis is a type of gastroesophageal reflux disease, characterized by a constant reflux of gastric contents into the lumen of the esophagus and a negative effect on the mucous membrane of the latter.

GERD is characterized by regular episodes of acidic stomach contents back up into the esophagus.

Reflux esophagitis is an extremely common disease among the population, characterized by prolonged irritation of the esophagus by gastric juice. Despite this, there is some bias towards this condition among the population and doctors, associated with its underestimation as a possibility of developing serious conditions and complications. Therefore, each of us is recommended to know the main causes of reflux esophagitis, the first symptoms of the disease, as well as the basic principles of correct diagnosis and treatment.

Reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree is characterized by minimal symptoms (heartburn, belching, and others), which many people interpret as a consequence of eating poor-quality food. However, behind them is a serious disease, prone to constant progression and the development of a number of complications, up to cancer of the esophagus.

The prevalence of the disease in the population

The prevalence of reflux esophagitis in Russia is unknown, since a holistic record of the incidence is not kept. However, according to a recent social medical survey in Moscow, the main symptom of this disease, namely heartburn, is observed in 35% of women and 15% of men. Such figures indicate the occurrence of reflux esophagitis in every 8 people, which makes doctors sound a certain alarm. At the same time, no more than 10% of people with this symptom seek medical help.

A more complete picture of the prevalence of reflux esophagitis can be obtained by studying the statistics of the disease abroad. According to the US medical services, symptoms of reflux esophagitis are found in 30-50% of adults, and about 20% of people experience heartburn on a weekly basis. As in Russia, people with symptoms of the disease do not rush for medical help - only one in three people go to see their doctor.

GERD is a very common disease

Causes of reflux esophagitis

All causes of the disease can be divided into four large groups:

Associated with a congenital or acquired decrease in the activity of the antireflux mechanism, which prevents the entry of gastric juice into the esophagus.
Decrease in the rate of passage of food through the esophagus, which leads to its overstretching and disruption of the sphincters, which normally close the place where the esophagus passes into the stomach.
Increased sensitivity of the inner lining of the esophagus to irritants, in particular, to gastric juice.
Hypersecretion of hydrochloric acid and active enzymes in the stomach, which leads to an increase in the aggressiveness of gastric juice.

In most cases, in patients with reflux esophagitis of any stage, there is a combination of several factors leading to constant irritation of the esophageal mucosa and the appearance of symptoms of the disease. It should be noted that some of them may be congenital in nature (the nature of the antireflux mechanism, the sensitivity of the esophageal wall, and others).

Clinical manifestations of reflux esophagitis

Reflux esophagitis is often characterized by painful symptoms

The clinical symptoms of reflux esophagitis are varied. It should be noted that the severity of all symptoms does not depend on the nature and severity of changes in the inner lining of the esophagus, which makes it difficult to set the correct severity.

The manifestations of reflux esophagitis are divided into two large groups:

Associated with damage to the esophagus, which includes heartburn, swallowing disorders, belching, retrosternal pain and regurgitation.
Not related to the esophagus: cough, dry throat, hoarseness, shortness of breath, increased salivation, caries and others.

According to patient surveys, the most common symptoms are heartburn and belching of sour foods, most often occurring either during sleep or when leaning forward. The second most common symptom of reflux esophagitis is chest pain that mimics angina pectoris. The rest of these symptoms are not as common.

Heartburn and belching

The most common complaints in patients with reflux esophagitis. Heartburn is a burning sensation of varying strength behind the sternum (corresponding to the lower third of the esophagus) or in the region of the shoulder blades. It occurs in nine out of ten patients with the disease. The reason for the appearance is the effect of the contents of the stomach with a very low pH on the mucous membrane of the lower esophagus. Both the doctor and the patient must remember that the severity of heartburn does not reflect the severity of the esophageal lesion. At the same time, heartburn attacks occur more often when the diet is violated, the use of various carbonated and alcoholic beverages, during exercise and during sleep.

Chronic heartburn is the most common symptom of GERD.

Very often, heartburn is the first symptom of a disease that requires attention from a person and seeking medical help.

Belching and regurgitation of food are observed in half of the patients. The most typical occurrence of these symptoms after eating. Most often, regurgitation of acidic contents occurs.

Pain behind the sternum

Pain sensations are localized behind the sternum, between the shoulder blades and can move to the neck, lower jaw, left half of the chest. Very often similar to angina attacks, but not stopped by taking nitroglycerin. In this regard, in order to exclude angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and other diseases, it is necessary to pay attention to the factors that caused the pain syndrome. Retrosternal pain is often associated with a poor prognosis for the patient, especially when combined with rapid weight loss and impaired swallowing.

Swallowing disorder

Swallowing disorder, or dysphagia, is less common than other symptoms, and is associated with impaired progression of the food bolus through the esophagus. One of the rare signs of the disease, along with extraesophageal symptoms.

Feeling of food stuck in the esophagus

Diagnosis of reflux esophagitis

The following methods can be used to make a correct diagnosis:

An X-ray examination using a contrast agent allows assessing the motor function of the esophagus, identifying a diverticulum of the organ wall, various strictures and narrowing of the lumen of the esophagus, as well as indirect signs of an inflammatory process in the wall (its thickening, changes in the nature of folding, unevenness of the contour).
Endoscopy with or without 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring is considered the gold standard for diagnosis. In addition, it is endoscopic examination that allows you to correctly set the severity of reflux esophagitis. Daily monitoring of pH in the esophagus allows you to identify its changes and detect the strength and frequency of reflux of gastric contents.
Evaluation of the motor activity of the esophagus allows you to evaluate the evacuation function of the organ and the work of antireflux mechanisms.
Morphological examination of the esophageal wall plays an important role in the diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma. Barrett's esophagus is a precancerous condition characterized by changes in the wall of the organ with the replacement of the esophageal type of the mucosa with the gastric type.

It is important to remember that all these diagnostic methods should be supplemented by the history of the patient's illness and life, as well as his complaints. None of the diagnostic methods guarantees 100% accuracy of the result.

Treatment of the disease

In the treatment of reflux esophagitis of the first degree, non-drug and drug therapies play an important role. Remember that the appointment of treatment should be carried out by the attending physician after a complete examination of the patient, taking into account all indications and contraindications.

Non-drug methods

Any patient with a diagnosis should follow a number of recommendations:

Do not eat large portions of food and do not overeat, especially before bedtime. It is important to adhere to fractional nutrition with the use of small portions. Reduce the amount of fatty, spicy, sweet foods, which in themselves can serve as an irritant. Carefully use drugs that promote the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus (sedatives, theophylline, nitrates, verapamil and other calcium channel inhibitors).
Reduce the amount of physical activity associated with lifting heavy weights and tension in the abdominal muscles.
Raise the head of the bed and sleep with your head elevated.
Give up bad habits (smoking and drinking alcohol).
Reduce body weight in case of its excess.

Medical methods

For the treatment of reflux esophagitis of the first degree, drugs are used for a long time that help reduce the acidity of gastric juice and accelerate the movement of food through the esophagus:

Drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice. This therapy is aimed at increasing the pH of the gastric juice and, thereby, at reducing its ability to damage the mucosa of the esophagus. The most effective in this respect are proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, rabeprazole and others), which inhibit the production of hydrochloric acid and increase the pH level. Less often, blockers of H2-histamine receptors (Ranitidine, Famotidine) are used, which also reduce acidity, but are less effective.

proton pump inhibitor

Drugs that speed up the passage of food through the esophagus and prevent the reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus. This group of medicines includes Domperidone, Cerucal and others. Can be used as the sole drug in combination with lifestyle changes for grade 1 reflux esophagitis.

Reflux esophagitis of the first degree is characterized by mild symptoms (heartburn, belching) and most often does not cause concern in patients. However, the progression of the disease without appropriate treatment can lead to the development of severe complications, up to oncopathology.

In the event of the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to immediately seek medical help for timely diagnostic measures and the appointment of the necessary treatment.

Reflux esophagitis is a disease of a chronic nature, which consists in the pathological reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus.

Since there is no protection against such aggressive substances in the mucous membrane, epithelial damage occurs due to contact with them, with further inflammation and, accordingly, painful sensations.

When reflux esophagitis occurs, the acidity level of the esophagus drops markedly due to the mixing of the contents of the esophagus with acidic gastric reflux and digestive enzymes. The result of prolonged contact of the mucous membrane of the esophagus with such an irritant is its inflammation and trauma.

In this article, we will look at reflux esophagitis, its first symptoms and the basic principles of treatment, including at home.

Causes

Why does reflux esophagitis occur, and what is it? The cause of reflux esophagitis lies, as a rule, in the excessive relaxation of the esophageal sphincter at the entrance to the stomach. This muscle should be in a compressed state most of the time. A healthy esophagus only relaxes for 6-10 seconds to allow food or liquid to pass through. If the sphincter remains relaxed for longer (up to a minute for patients after each swallow), this causes a regression of the acidic contents of the stomach into the esophagus.

Often reflux esophagitis accompanies diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as:

or stomach cancer;
vagus nerve damage;
violation of duodenal patency of the esophagus;
pyloroduodenal stenosis;

It is not uncommon for reflux esophagitis to occur after stomach surgery. Also, the disease can be the result of smoking, drinking alcohol and drinking a lot of coffee. In some cases, sphincter relaxation occurs in people suffering from a hernia of the esophagus or from penetration of part of the stomach into the chest. This is seen in obese people, as a large belly increases pressure on the diaphragm.

Erosive reflux esophagitis

A complicated form of the disease, in which small ulcers (erosion) form on the esophageal mucosa. With erosive reflux esophagitis, all of the above symptoms become more pronounced, bringing tangible discomfort to the patient. Manifestations of the disease are aggravated after eating, as well as certain drugs, such as aspirin.

Degrees

The course of the disease is characterized by several stages, and the symptoms gradually increase, and the erosive lesion of the esophagus becomes more pronounced.

degree - manifested by separate non-merging erosions and erythema of the distal esophagus;
degree - merging, but not capturing the entire surface of the mucosal erosive lesions;
degree - manifested by ulcerative lesions of the lower third of the esophagus, which merge and cover the entire surface of the mucosa;
degree - chronic ulcer of the esophagus, as well as stenosis.

Symptoms of reflux esophagitis

If reflux esophagitis occurs, the symptoms of this disease may be pain behind the sternum, extending closer to the heart and even to the left shoulder, and can also suck in the pit of the stomach. Very often, the patient does not even associate these symptoms with problems with the esophagus at all, they are mistaken for an angina attack.

So, the main signs of reflux-esophagitis in adults are:

belching air or food;
heartburn;
nausea;
regurgitation;
sour taste in the mouth;
incessant hiccups.

Symptoms of reflux esophagitis often worsen when lying down (especially after eating) and disappear when sitting.

Chronic reflux esophagitis

Esophagitis in a chronic form, with a characteristic change in periods of exacerbation with periods of remission, can either be the result of acute undertreated reflux esophagitis, or develop against the background of alcoholism and the intake of coarse poor-quality food.

According to the types of changes, reflux esophagitis can be:

superficial (distal);
erosive;
hemorrhagic;
pseudomembranous, etc.

Signs of reflux esophagitis in the chronic stage, with a medical examination using X-rays, may be a violation of the mucous membranes of the esophagus, the appearance of ulcers and erosions.

Diagnostics

Today, quite different methods are used to detect gastroesophageal reflux. Thanks to the x-ray of the esophagus, it is possible to fix the ingress of contrast from the stomach into the esophagus or to find a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm.

A more reliable method is long-term pH-metry of the esophagus (measurement of acidity in the lumen of the esophagus using a probe). This allows you to set the frequency, duration and severity of reflux. And yet the main method for diagnosing reflux esophagitis is endoscopic. With it, you can get confirmation of the presence of the disease, and determine the degree of its severity.

In general, the symptoms and treatment of reflux esophagitis depend on the severity of the disease, the age of the patient, and comorbidity. Some forms require no therapy, while others require surgery.

How to treat reflux esophagitis

When symptoms of reflux esophagitis appear, treatment consists in eliminating the disease that caused it (gastritis, neurosis, peptic ulcer or gastroduodenitis). Proper therapy will reduce the symptoms of reflux in adults, help reduce the harmful effects of gastric contents thrown into the esophagus, increase the resistance of the esophageal mucosa, and quickly clear the stomach after eating.

Conservative treatment shown to patients with uncomplicated disease. It includes general recommendations:

after eating, avoid bending forward and do not lie down for 1.5 hours
sleep with the head end of the bed raised by at least 15 cm,
do not wear tight clothing and tight belts,
limit the consumption of foods that are aggressive to the esophageal mucosa (fats, alcohol, coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits, etc.),
give up smoking.

drug therapy with reflux esophagitis, at least 8-12 weeks are carried out, followed by maintenance therapy for 6-12 months. Appoint:

proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole) in regular or double dosage,
antacids (almagel, phosphalugel, maalox, gelusil-lacquer, etc.) are usually prescribed 1.5-2 hours after meals and at night,
prokinetics - domperidone, metoclopramide.

To reduce the manifestation of symptoms such as heartburn and chest pain in the supine position, you should adopt the correct posture - the upper body should be slightly elevated, for which several pillows can be used.

Operation

This treatment is rarely used. Main indications for surgery:

Ineffectiveness of long-term drug treatment.
Development of Barrett's esophagus with the risk of malignancy (development of cancer of the esophagus).
Esophageal strictures.
Frequent esophageal bleeding.
Frequent aspiration pneumonia.

The main method of surgical treatment is the Nissen fundoplication, which restores the normal functioning of the cardiac sphincter.

Diet

With reflux esophagitis, the diet is quite strict and prohibits eating a certain amount of food. Among them:

alcoholic drinks, natural fruit juices, carbonated drinks;
pickled and smoked foods, pickles;
strong broths and soups cooked on them;
fatty and fried foods;
fruits (especially citrus fruits);
spices, sauces;
chewing gum;
products that increase gas formation (cabbage, black bread, milk, legumes, etc.);
products that relax the lower gastric sphincter and provoke stagnation of food masses in the stomach (sweets, strong tea, chocolate, etc.).

The diet of a person suffering from reflux should include the following foods:

soft-boiled eggs,
low-fat milk and mashed low-fat cottage cheese,
dairy products,
porridge,
meat and fish soufflé,
steamed cutlets and meatballs,
crackers soaked in water or stale bread,
baked apples.

nutrition of patients suffering from reflux disease should be fractional and include five to six meals a day, the last - four hours before bedtime.
portions should be small so that the stomach is filled with only a third of its volume.
Afternoon sleep is better to replace with a quiet walk. This contributes to the fact that food quickly gets from the stomach to the intestines, and the reflux of acidic contents into the esophagus will not occur.

To reduce gastroesophageal reflux, you must:

lose weight
sleep on a bed with a high headboard,
observe time intervals between meals and sleep,
stop smoking,
stop drinking alcohol, fatty foods, coffee, chocolate, citrus fruits,
break the habit of drinking water.

Folk remedies

Treatment of reflux esophagitis with folk remedies can only be carried out as an auxiliary procedure. Alternative treatment of reflux esophagitis is based on taking decoctions that soothe the mucous membrane of the esophagus, products that stimulate the tone of the sphincter, reduce acidity and fight heartburn.

Forecast

Reflux esophagitis has, as a rule, a favorable prognosis for working capacity and life. If there are no complications, then it does not reduce its duration. But with inadequate treatment and non-compliance with the recommendations given by doctors, new relapses of esophagitis and its progression are possible.

Reflux esophagitis is an inflammatory pathology that provokes gastric contents thrown into the esophagus due to insufficiency of the lower sphincter of the latter. Aggressive substances contained in gastric juice negatively affect the mucous membrane, causing pain.

Causes of reflux esophagitis

Often this disease occurs due to a weakening of the muscle tone of the lower esophageal sphincter. As a result, the latter is partially or completely open, which allows the contents of the stomach to enter the esophagus.

In turn, sphincter insufficiency occurs due to nerve stress, chemical / nutritional factors, and increased pressure in the peritoneum.

A hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm can provoke insufficiency of the sphincter: when the latter expands, the contents of the stomach are thrown.

Provoking factors:

Obesity;
Smoking, alcoholism;
Taking a number of medications (eg nitroglycerin, metoprolol);
Excessive passion for coffee, chocolate, spices;
Pregnancy;
Ulcer disease.

Degrees and forms of the disease

This pathology can be acute and chronic. In the first case, the symptoms include soreness after a meal, discomfort behind the sternum along the esophagus, general malaise, slight fever, burning sensation in the neck, profuse salivation.

The chronic form of inflammation manifests itself primarily in pain localized behind the sternum, often accompanied by gastritis. There is heartburn, difficulty breathing, hiccups, vomiting.

What is it - reflux esophagitis 1, 2, 3 and 4 degrees?

The first degree indicates that there are several erosions on the mucosa that do not merge, as well as erythema in the distal organ;
The second degree - erosion is already merging, but does not affect the entire mucosa.
Third - ulcerative lesions form in the lower third of the esophagus.
The fourth degree is a chronic ulcer and stenosis.

Symptoms and treatment strategy for reflux esophagitis

The first warning sign is heartburn. The latter can occur regardless of the time of day, after eating, when the body is in a horizontal position.

In addition, there is pain in the chest area, which is often perceived as cardiac. Sometimes these symptoms are completely absent, but there is a violation of the swallowing process. The latter indicates the development of cicatricial narrowing and the progression of pathology.

Other symptoms of the disease:

Sour or belching air;
Failures of the swallowing reflex, violation of the passage of food;
Chronic cough, obstruction of the bronchi with a viscous secret;
Rhinitis and pharyngitis. The mucous membrane of the pharynx and nose becomes inflamed due to frequent contact with the contents of the stomach;
Destruction of tooth enamel by acidic gastric juice.

Sometimes even an experienced doctor finds it difficult to determine this disease, since it has a similar clinical picture with many pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

In order to detect the disease in time, it is necessary to conduct a series of studies. Typically, a set of diagnostic procedures includes esophagoscopy (examination of the esophagus using endoscopic equipment), X-ray, mucosal biopsy, esophageal pH-metry (to determine the level of acidity).

What is catarrhal and erosive reflux esophagitis?

The catarrhal form of the disease is most often diagnosed. In addition to the main symptoms listed above, the doctor, during a diagnostic examination, detects swelling and hyperemia of the esophageal mucosa. Catarrhal esophagitis occurs due to insufficient function of the cardiac sphincter of the esophagus.

Erosive reflux esophagitis is characterized by a stronger and deeper lesion of the mucosa. This form of pathology is less common than the previous one, but much more often leads to various complications. So, the disease is accompanied by the formation of ulcers and erosions on the mucous membrane of the esophagus.

There are 3 degrees of pathology:

I - a single formation of small erosions;
ІІ – increase in the affected area;
ІІІ – formation of a chronic ulcer.

How to stop the symptoms and treatment of the disease, diet for reflux esophagitis?

As with any other diseases, therapy in this case begins with the exclusion of possible causes of the development of pathology, for example, smoking, stress, obesity.

Medications are mandatory. First of all, these are antacids - drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric juice by neutralizing it.

One of the most famous antacids is Almagel. The latter is taken for several days in a row, 5-10 mg three times a day before a meal.

In addition to antacids, treatment includes prokinetics - substances that increase the muscle tone of the lower sphincter. These include Motilium and Motilak.

It is also necessary to take antisecretory drugs that reduce acidity by inhibiting the production of the latter. These include Famotidine and Omeprazole.

Diet for reflux esophagitis

Diet modification is a mandatory component of the treatment complex. From the menu, first of all, you need to exclude the following products:

alcohol (increases acidity, relaxes the sphincter);
strong tea, coffee, soda;
chocolate (promotes relaxation);
mushrooms;
mayonnaise, ketchup, hot spices;
smoked meats;
marinades;
legumes, especially peas and beans (increase intra-abdominal pressure);
canned food;
sour juices;
fresh and sauerkraut;
fatty;
black bread;
fast food, chips, chewing gum;
fried foods.

If discomfort occurs after eating, you need to pay attention to what foods were eaten and, accordingly, exclude them from the diet.

The diet necessarily includes the following products:

mashed cottage cheese (fat-free);
sour cream and milk (with a low% fat content);
fresh and soft-boiled chicken and quail eggs;
homemade crackers;
any cereals;
steam cutlets;
baked apples of sweet varieties;
baked vegetables;
baked and boiled fish.

Food can be diversified with products, after the use of which there is no discomfort. In addition, you need to pay attention to the diet. It is necessary to exclude nervous overload at work, get enough sleep, eat 4-5 times a day (eat slowly, avoid haste), after a meal it is recommended to walk or work while standing (you can not sit).

Symptoms and treatment of reflux esophagitis: therapy with folk remedies

Alternative medicine, of course, can be used and at the same time very effectively. However, various recipes can only supplement the main, drug treatment.

In addition, therapy with folk remedies lasts quite a long time - about two months.

To reduce acidity, stop pain, relieve inflammation, a collection of chamomile flowers and flax seeds (2 tablespoons each), lemon balm leaves, licorice root, motherwort (1 tablespoon each) will help. Herbs are poured with boiling water and boiled in a water bath for 10 minutes, then the broth is kept for 2 hours and after filtering they drink a third of a glass up to 4 times a day;
Take a tablespoon of oregano, calendula, calamus rhizomes, anise fruits, fireweed, white yasnitka, mint. Chop the ingredients. The broth is prepared, as in the previous recipe, but first insist and then boil. Drink the medicine 50 ml up to 6 times a day;
Mix 2 tbsp. l .: plantain leaves, dandelion, chamomile flowers, mountaineer roots, oregano, yarrow and shepherd's purse grass. Pour the collection with hot water and insist. After straining, drink warm up to 6 times a day.

You can fight heartburn with folk remedies such as juices, for example, potato. It is necessary after eating to drink 1/2 cup of freshly squeezed juice and seize it with sugar. Sweet water works in a similar way (prepare in the evening, drink in the morning). Chamomile and mint tea will also help, you can chew raspberry or blackberry leaves.

Having heard the diagnosis of reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree, many patients do not understand what it is. This pathological condition is not a separate disease, but one of the main components of the development of gastric and duodenal ulcers. This is just a lesion of the esophagus, which is caused by the reflux of the contents of the stomach in the opposite direction. It is quite easy to cure it in the initial stages.

Causes of reflux esophagitis

The development of reflux-esophagitis is due to the fact that the work of the lower esophageal sphincter is disrupted. It is he who protects the esophagus from the ingress of acidic gastric juice. The reason for the insufficiency of the lower sphincter is the mechanical pressure on it through the diaphragm from the side of the peritoneum. This most often occurs when:

(distention of the intestines);
overeating;
obesity
hernia of the esophageal part of the diaphragm.

Also, the lower sphincter does not cope with its function if the patient takes antispasmodics in large quantities (Spasmalgon, Papaverine, Platifillin, etc.).

Symptoms of reflux esophagitis grade 1

The first symptoms of reflux esophagitis are pain in the epigastric region and. Also, the patient may experience a feeling of "coma" when swallowing. Most often, patients associate these signs of a pathological condition with the intake of heavy or prolonged physical work in a forward bending position or a plentiful meal.

In chronic reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree, sometimes there is:

nausea;
hiccups
salivation.

If the symptoms appear no more than once a month, then all functional disorders are restored on their own. With frequent complaints, it is urgent to undergo an examination, as the disease will progress.

Diagnosis of reflux esophagitis grade 1

To diagnose inflammation and understand how quickly grade 1 reflux esophagitis progresses, esophagogastroscopy should be done. This is a research method that is based on the introduction of a very thin tube with an optical device into the stomach. With its help, you can examine absolutely all parts of the esophagus. In the first stage of esophagitis, the mucosa always has a bright red color, scratches and cracks.

Treatment of reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree

Having noticed the first symptoms and having diagnosed reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment. In most cases, to eliminate this pathology at the initial stage of development, no medication is required. It is enough to follow a few rules:

Do not drink alcohol and carbonated drinks.
Don't overeat.
Do not eat at night.
Do not lean forward immediately after eating.
Do not wear tight belts.
No smoking.
Do not take antispasmodics and sedatives.

With distal reflux esophagitis of the 1st degree, folk remedies, for example, dandelion flower syrup, also have a good effect.

syrup recipe

Ingredients:

fresh dandelion flowers - 150 g;
granulated sugar - 150 g.

Preparation and application

Place the dandelion flowers and granulated sugar in layers in a glass jar. Press down a little on top of them and insist until juice is formed. Take this syrup three times a day, diluting one teaspoon in 100 ml of water.

Erosive reflux esophagitis grade 1 can be cured with herbal tea.

tea recipe

Ingredients:

Preparation and application

Mix herbs with boiling water. After 5 minutes, strain the tea. You need to take this tea 75 ml three times a day.

If these methods of treatment do not give results, the patient is prescribed antisecretory drugs that reduce the acidity of gastric contents (omeprazole) and improve gastrointestinal motility (metoclopramide).