esophagitis

Esophagitis is inflammation of the esophagus. Esophagitis refers to inflammation caused by edema and congestion of the esophageal mucosa due to abnormal stimulation of the superficial or deep layers of the esophageal mucosa. These stimuli include gastric acid, bile regurgitated from the duodenum, strong liquor, chili peppers, excessively hot soup, and overly strong or hot tea, among others. It can be classified as primary or secondary esophagitis. Prolonged exposure of the esophageal epithelium to refluxed gastric acid is the cause of esophagitis. The duration of esophageal mucosal contact with gastric acid depends on the frequency of reflux and the duration of each reflux episode, and is determined by the rate of esophageal acid clearance. Clinical symptoms include retrosternal pain upon swallowing, which may also cause esophageal spasm and transient dysphagia. The causes include infection or impairment of the barrier function of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing gastric contents to reflux into the esophagus and cause esophageal injury; it can also be caused by physical and chemical irritation. Mild injury generally only causes inflammation of the mucosal layer, which may disrupt the integrity of the mucosa, termed erosion. If the destruction reaches the submucosa, it is termed ulceration. Severe injury or chronic repeated injury can destroy the full thickness of the esophageal wall. Acute lesions often heal spontaneously within a short period. Chronic lesions may recur repeatedly and be refractory to treatment. Lesions involving the full thickness may develop fibrosis of the esophageal wall during the repair process, causing esophageal stricture and persistent dysphagia, which requires surgical relief of the stricture.