The esophagus is a hollow organ in the form of a tube up to 30 centimeters long, connecting the larynx to the stomach. This organ is rarely affected by any diseases. But, despite this, certain pathologies can also affect him. One of them is erosion of the esophagus. This is a very insidious disease that can lead to the development of dangerous complications. What symptoms are typical for this disease and how it is treated, we will consider in the article.
What is esophageal erosion?
Erosion of the esophagus is damage to the mucous membrane of an organ due to the penetration of gastric juice containing hydrochloric acid into it. In this case, irritation of the mucous membrane occurs, which provokes the development of erosion. The disease is dangerous because the symptoms of erosion of the esophagus do not appear immediately. The patient may not be aware of the presence of pathology, which in the future can lead to severe complications.
Classification of pathology
Erosion of the esophagus is usually divided into the following types:
- Surface. In this case, the mucosal lesions will be of minor size. There are no symptoms of erosion of the esophagus. This is why this type is dangerous, because in the absence of treatment and the presence of provoking factors, it can move to the next type.
- Linear. The patient begins to worry about pain and discomfort. Ulcers increase in size and create extensive mucosal lesions. With this type, there is a high probability of formation of scars from the connective tissue, which reduce the elasticity of the esophagus and impair its patency. Requires immediate treatment.
Erosion is also divided by severity:
- 0 degree. There are no symptoms of the disease, erosion is not visualized.
- 1 degree. Small mucosal lesions appear that do not touch each other and are small in size.
- 2 degree. Erosions are able to merge and affect up to half of the entire mucous membrane of the organ.
- 3 degree. There is a complete lesion of the lower part of the esophagus. Ulcers form, which are deeper lesions than erosions.
- 4 degree. The symptoms are severe. If left untreated, dangerous complications develop.
Reasons
Basically, erosion of the esophagus develops against the background of other pathological conditions of the body. Consider the most significant of them:
- hernia of the diaphragm of the esophagus is one of the main causes;
- insufficient tone of the walls of the esophagus;
- sphincter disorders;
- pathologykidney;
- lack of adipose tissue;
- gastroduodenitis;
- short esophagus;
- diabetes;
- increased intra-abdominal pressure;
- prolonged stress;
- curvature of the spine;
- complications after surgery;
- traumatic injury to the esophagus (e.g. eating spicy, hard or too hot food);
- wrong lifestyle;
- taking certain medications.
Symptoms
This disease is very dangerous because the symptoms of erosion of the esophagus are very mild. Often the patient learns about the presence of pathology quite by accident. Signs begin to appear at more advanced stages, at which full recovery becomes difficult. Symptoms of erosion of the esophagus and stomach are very similar, which greatly complicates the diagnosis. Therefore, if a person with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract begins to worry about frequent heartburn, he does not pay much attention to it.
In addition to heartburn, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
- Burp.
- Vomiting or vomiting, and in advanced stages, blood may be present in the vomit.
- Frequent hiccups.
- Increased salivation.
- Pain when swallowing.
- Nausea in the morning.
- Feeling of heaviness and fullness in the abdomen.
- Bad breath.
- Pain and burning in the chest and stomach. It should be noted that such sensations are mainly felt inwhile eating or lying down. Lying down, the patient feels that the discomfort becomes much less.
- Feeling uncomfortable when eating.
Many people, having discovered the above signs, begin self-treatment with drugs that relieve discomfort. But, despite the fact that with erosion of the stomach and esophagus, the symptoms and treatment are similar, only a doctor can prescribe therapy after confirming the diagnosis.
Diagnosis of pathology
Since the symptoms of a patient with erosion of the esophagus are mild and blurred, it is necessary to carry out diagnostic measures in order to exclude diseases of other digestive organs.
From the very beginning, an anamnesis is taken at the appointment with a gastroenterologist. The doctor clarifies the presence of symptoms, the patient's living conditions, the presence of bad habits and past illnesses. It is also checked how often the symptoms of the pathology bother, at what time of the day and under what circumstances the pain recedes. The doctor examines the neck, skin, chest.
The following diagnostic measures are carried out:
- blood, urine and stool tests;
- ECG;
- X-ray of the esophagus;
- abdominal ultrasound;
- endoscopy;
- FEGDS;
- biopsy;
- Colonoscopy is performed to rule out intestinal pathology.
Treatment of erosion of the esophagus
Due to the fact that self-medication can aggravatethe course of the disease, how to treat erosion of the esophagus, is decided only by the attending physician. There are several very effective methods, which, as a rule, are prescribed simultaneously. These include:
- Drug therapy, which includes drugs that help reduce the acidity of the stomach and esophagus.
- Diet therapy.
- Also used for erosion of the esophagus folk remedies.
Let's consider each option in more detail.
Medicated treatment
Drugs are prescribed by the attending physician only after establishing an accurate diagnosis. The following types of medicines are used:
- Antacids that reduce the degree of irritation of the esophageal mucosa and relieve symptoms - heartburn, nausea disappear. These drugs include Almagel, Phosphalugel and others.
- Prokinetics. They activate the process of digestion of food and, by increasing the pressure in the lower esophagus, reduce the time of exposure of hydrochloric acid to the mucous membrane of the organ. Motilium has this effect.
- Alginates. They perform a protective function, covering the mucous surface of the esophagus with thick foam. They act very quickly without causing allergic reactions. The drugs with this effect include "Gaviscon".
- Mucus-forming drugs. For example, Venter, Keal. They form mucus, which, closing the affected areas of the mucosa, protects against the effects of hydrochloric acid and bile.
- Proton pump blockers that inhibit the formation of sulfuric acid. These include Omeprazole and Lansoprazole and others.
Very often, in addition to drug therapy in the treatment of erosion of the esophagus, physiotherapy is added. These include:
- electrophoresis;
- balneotherapy;
- mud treatment and others.
Diet therapy
When symptoms of esophageal erosion appear, diet plays a huge role in treatment. Proper nutrition is a key method of therapy for this pathology. Treatment with medications and folk remedies does not give a positive result if the patient's diet is not adjusted.
Consider the basic rules of the diet for this pathology:
- Food should be warm. It is forbidden to eat hot and cold food.
- You need to eat fractionally, about 5-7 times a day in small portions.
- Do not drink while eating.
- Skip junk food in favor of homemade food.
- Food should not contain solid fragments. Preferably if it is steamed or boiled.
The list of foods that are allowed for erosion of the esophagus is presented below:
- puree-like vegetable soups to which low-fat sour cream can be added;
- steam cutlets;
- well-boiled cereals;
- egg dishes, excluding fried ones;
- cottage cheese of low acidity and low fat;
- pasta;
- fermented milk products and cheeses;
- lean meat and fish, steamed or baked;
- boiled or bakedvegetables such as cabbage, zucchini, potatoes, broccoli, eggplant without skins, and others;
- dried fruits in compotes;
- jelly;
- berries and fruits - cherries, bananas, sweet strawberries, melon and watermelon;
- non-acidic juices and compotes.
The following foods are prohibited:
- any spicy, fried, pickled food;
- smoked meats and sausages;
- citrus fruits and other fruits that can increase acidity;
- carbonated drinks, alcohol and coffee;
- ice cream;
- chocolate, especially dark;
- fatty meat;
- spices.
Treatment of folk remedies for erosion of the esophagus
Traditional medicine has proven itself in the treatment of erosion. There are a large number of prescriptions that are used as an additional therapy. With erosion of the esophagus, symptoms and treatment with folk remedies will be interrelated. But it is worth remembering that before taking them, you need to consult a treating gastroenterologist.
The safest formulations include the following recipes:
- Raw potatoes. Freshly squeezed juice is used (you can grate and squeeze). It is taken 50 ml about four times a day. The course lasts about 2 months, after which a break is made for two weeks, and the course is resumed. This recipe allows you to remove the inflammatory process and heal existing wounds on the mucosa.
- Carrot fresh juice restores tissue that has been damaged by erosion. It is taken 70 ml twice a day. Sometimes itmixed with potato.
- Regenerating honey.
- Sea buckthorn oil, which is taken for about 2 months, 1 teaspoon before meals 2 times a day.
- Propolis in the form of tincture. It is crushed (10 grams) and poured into 100 ml of 70% alcohol. Insist in a dark place for about 10 days. It is taken in 0.5 tsp. three times a day.
- Flax seeds soaked in boiling water and drunk after a meal (1 tbsp.) form mucus that soothes the esophagus and reduces pain. It is a natural alternative to Almagel.
- Herbal teas - chop lime, St. John's wort, fennel, immortelle, valerian and marigold flowers. 1 st. l. this mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and taken 3 times a day.
To relieve the symptoms of erosion of the esophagus, treatment with folk remedies brings good results. But only if it is used together with other methods of getting rid of the disease.
Possible Complications
Erosion of the esophagus is a very dangerous disease that, due to mild symptoms, cannot be immediately diagnosed. Therefore, with this pathology, the risk of developing dangerous consequences is high. These include:
- Bleeding in the esophagus, often accompanied by vomiting with red blood. One of the causes of this condition is damage to a blood vessel in the organ.
- Peritonitis.
- Hyperplasia is an increase in cell growth. Can provoke the development of malignant processes.
- Deep lesions and changes in the esophagus.
- Swallowing disorder.
- Shortening the esophagus.
- Ulcerative lesions of the organ.
- Development of thrombosis and more.
Prevention
There are no special preventive measures to exclude the symptoms of esophageal erosion. But it is recommended to lead a he althy lifestyle, giving up junk food, smoking and drinking alcohol. Strengthen the immune system, play sports, avoid stressful situations. It is also very important to visit a doctor and get the necessary tests twice a year.
Conclusion
Prognosis for erosion of the esophagus is favorable if the recommendations of the attending physician are followed and there are no factors that provoke the development of pathology. Treatment can take from two weeks to several months. It is very important to listen to your body. Having noticed certain symptoms, you should not self-medicate, aggravating the course of the disease, but you need to see a doctor as soon as possible and take the necessary tests to make an accurate diagnosis.
