In the medical literature, distal esophagitis is characterized as an inflammation of the esophageal mucosa. This disease in most cases is a manifestation of other diseases of the stomach or esophagus.
Types and symptoms
Distal esophagitis has no generally accepted classification. However, depending on the similarity of the nature of manifestation, duration of the course and ways of penetration, the most frequently encountered varieties of esophagitis are distinguished:
- acute;
- catarrhal ;
- erosive;
- surface;
- peptic;
- mechanical;
- chronic.
The most common form of acute esophagitis is distal catarrhal esophagitis. As a rule, manifestations of this form of the disease is limited by overflow of the mucous fluid and the appearance of edema on its walls.
Often accompanying some acute infectious diseases, as well as allergic processes, erosive esophagitis can manifest itself in the form of erosion, an abundance of mucus and hemorrhages of the mucosa of the esophagus.
Acute distal surface esophagitis is a complication of an infectious disease, such as dysentery, influenza, etc. Sometimes it can occur due to small scratches, injuries that occur when swallowing pits and sharp elements, as well as when burning the esophagus with alkalis and acids, and hot food.
The most common form of chronic esophagitis is peptic distal esophagitis, which is a consequence of the reverse flow of gastric juice into the esophagus. In most cases this condition is combined with a hernia arising in the esophageal aperture of the diaphragm.
The main symptoms of distal esophagitis are:
- pain in the chest and stomach;
- hoarseness;
- choking cough;
- vomiting;
- heartburn.
Diagnosis of distal esophagitis
To make an accurate diagnosis, which will confirm the presence of this disease, you need to go through six stages of diagnosis:
- Radiography of the esophagus . With the help of this procedure, it becomes possible to identify the main cause of the disease and determine whether a possible contrast occurs from the stomach into the esophagus.
- Endoscopy of the esophagus . It provides an opportunity to determine the severity of esophagitis. In medicine, several of its stages are distinguished: with no erosion, with its presence, with the presence of small ulcers or with chronic ulcers of the esophagus.
- The intrasophageal pH-metry is a study which, using a special probe, shows the acidity of the esophagus environment by means of a special probe.
- Detection of esophageal clearance . Esophageal clearance is a protective mechanism of the body, which makes it possible to move the pH to the desired degree of acid environment.
- The manometric method . Designed to detect abnormalities in the work of the esophagus and stomach.
- Radionuclide method . With the help of the liquid introduced into the stomach, the level of radioactivity in the esophagus is determined.
Treatment of distal esophagitis
In order for the treatment of distal esophagitis to be effective, first of all it is necessary to eliminate all causes of inflammation, that is, stimuli of the esophagus. Mandatoryly prescribed antispasmodics, antacids, antifungal and enveloping the mucous esophagus and stomach drugs.
It is very important, in addition to the main drug treatment, to observe a special diet based on enveloping, jelly-like dishes, vegetable oil, broths of dog rose and chamomile. With this diet is contraindicated the use of chocolate, fatty and spicy dishes, tomatoes and other products that can lead to irritation of the esophagus mucosa and inflammatory processes in the stomach.