Ulcer is called ulceration of the mucous walls of the organ. Ulcer of the esophagus is a disease that is most often located in the lower third of the esophagus. As a rule, there is a single ulcer in the esophagus, but in some cases ulcers can be multiple. The disease can be acute or chronic. In this case, more than a quarter of the ulcers of the esophagus are combined with gastric and intestinal ulcers.
Oesophageal ulcer causes
The mechanism of ulceration in the esophagus is based on the flow of gastric juice into the esophagus from the stomach. Ingredients of gastric juice, namely pepsin and hydrochloric acid negatively affect the mucosa of the esophagus, damaging it. The reasons are:
- infection;
- some medications;
- burns;
- trauma to the esophagus;
- diseases of the central nervous system;
- hernia of diaphragm;
- surgical interventions in the esophagus;
- some systemic diseases;
- diseases of the digestive tract.
Ulcer of the esophagus - symptoms
Symptoms of peptic ulcer of the esophagus are palpable and pronounced. They include:
- pain behind the sternum ;
- eructation;
- dysphagia (difficulty in swallowing);
- pain when swallowing;
- vomiting;
- severe heartburn , which is worse after eating, tilting the body down, lying down;
- regurgitation of sour.
Symptoms of peptic ulcer of the esophagus are acute, but may eventually subside in the period of remission. If the therapeutic diet is disturbed, the symptoms will quickly become more acute again. The diagnosis is determined by the presence of symptoms and after the esophagoscopy.
Ulcer of the esophagus - treatment
The first principle of treatment is diet food. It involves the reception of predominantly liquid and ground foods. Food should not be spicy, sour, fried, smoked and hot. You can not drink alcohol and smoke. Meals are fractional, in small portions.
Treatment is often carried out in a hospital. But even at home, the patient is recommended to spend most of the time in bed, with the upper half of the trunk raised. This is necessary to prevent the throwing of gastric contents into the esophagus.
Do not undergo treatment without prescribing drugs. The largest group of them are antacids (Almagel, Fosfalugel). Also prescribed are mucosal regenerating drugs, antibiotics, a preparation stimulating the formation of mucus and others. In particularly difficult cases, when conservative treatment does not work, surgical treatment is performed.