In the normal human microflora there is always a Candida fungus, but it can multiply only under certain conditions. For example, if the immune forces of the body are very weakened or a serious illness has been transferred. The fungus itself of this genus has more than 100 varieties. In the intestine, it occupies about 80% of the entire microflora, and in the oral cavity - 25%.
Fungi of this genus are unicellular organisms that barely reach 6-10 microns in size. They are found not only in the human body, but also in the entire environment. Candida fungi can be found in water, food, soil, on the mucous membranes and skin of people and animals. In fact, a person is in contact with these unicellular microorganisms on an ongoing basis.
Possible causes of the "awakening" of the fungus
Mycosis of the esophagus can appear on the background of contact with a sick person or when eating foods that are infected with fungi from the yeast group. The reason may be household items that are infected with these microorganisms.
However, not only weakened immunity and contact withan infected person can cause mycosis of the esophagus. Risk factors include:
- diabetes mellitus (fungus occurs in about 7% of type 1 diabetics);
- damage to the esophagus by ordinary bones or piercing objects;
- alcoholism and smoking;
- oncological diseases;
- taking antibacterial and hormonal drugs;
- malnutrition;
- insufficient protein intake;
- dysbacteriosis;
- poisoning (most often by chemicals);
- pregnancy;
- allergy;
- early childhood or old age;
- AIDS (fungus occurs in 2% of patients).
How to understand that the disease has begun?
Symptoms of mycosis of the esophagus are not very pronounced, so they often go unnoticed. According to statistics, approximately 30% of patients do not even suspect that they have a disease. However, there are still some characteristic features of the course of the disease that will make it possible to suspect the presence of a pathology:
- heartburn;
- loss of appetite;
- pain when swallowing;
- nausea, often turning into vomiting, with a simultaneous rise in body temperature;
- sore throat;
- weight loss;
- diarrhea.
Moreover, the last symptom is characterized not just by loose stools, but also by the presence of mucus, white film and blood in the feces.
In some patients, mycosis in the oral cavity develops in parallel. Against the background of this disease, a white film falls downfrom the oral cavity to the gastrointestinal tract and can block the lumen of the esophagus, resulting in the formation of ulcers on the mucous membrane.
As a rule, an ailment is diagnosed by chance, when examining the body in connection with complaints of other diseases.
How is the illness progressing?
Despite the fact that mycosis of the esophagus has mild symptoms, the disease is still progressing. Initially, small spots of white or yellowish color are formed, which are raised above the surface of the walls of the esophagus. Over time, they begin to merge, forming a plaque with a large affected area. Microorganisms at this time actively multiply, penetrate into the vessels, membranes and tissues.
The plaque itself, mixed with fungi, on the walls of the esophagus is a dead epithelium with inflamed cells. If you look at it under a microscope, you can clearly see the filaments of Candida mycelium.
Types of disease
Mycosis of the esophagus can have one of three varieties, which are characterized by certain symptoms:
- Catarrhal type. On the mucous membrane of the esophagus, swelling, hyperemia is observed. The plaques are whitish in color.
- Fibrinous esophagitis. The patient has pain, there may be bleeding at the site of the fungus.
- Fibro-erosive variety is characterized by the appearance of a loose coating, white or yellowish. Outwardly, such a plaque resembles a fringe. Hyperemia is observed on the mucous membrane under the plaque.
The most commonfibrous-erosive mycosis.
If sores appear, then most likely there is some other pathology in the digestive tract, since their appearance is not typical for mycosis.
Endoscopic classification
Against the background of three varieties of the disease, 4 degrees are distinguished, which can only be determined during endoscopic examination:
- Mycosis of the esophagus of the 1st degree is characterized by the presence of a small amount of plaques that barely reach 2 millimeters. At this stage, there are no ulcers and swelling yet.
- At the second stage, the plaques are already increasing in size, hyperemia and swelling appear, but the sores are not yet formed.
- The third stage is already characterized by the fusion of plaques into nodular and linear raids, ulcers may already appear.
- At the last stage, all the symptoms characteristic of the third are noted, but looseness of the mucous membrane is added to them, against which a narrowing of the lumen can form.
Diagnostic measures
To determine the presence of mycosis of the esophagus, endoscopic examination is most often performed. In a serious condition of the patient, diagnostics can be carried out using a special tool, which, after extraction, has fragments of mucus on its surface. It is then examined in the laboratory to clarify the diagnosis. Simultaneously, mucus can be submitted for culture to determine the sensitivity of the fungus to drugs.
In addition, the patient is required to collect an anamnesis, a general blood test is performed andto determine the level of glycosylated hemoglobin. Simply put, those studies are being carried out that make it possible to exclude the presence of cancers.
In severe cases, x-rays with contrast may be done.
Therapeutic interventions
How to treat mycosis of the esophagus? Naturally, it will be quite difficult to cope with such an ailment on your own. Doctors in such cases prescribe antifungal drugs. The selection of these medicines is carried out on the basis of the results of the analysis of the material after instrumental diagnostics, it depends on the sensitivity of the fungus to certain medicines.
If the examination revealed that the patient has reduced immunity, then immunomodulators are prescribed.
In cases where the examination revealed that there are many lesions (and not only in the esophagus), then the entire body is treated. You can not start fungal diseases in the oral cavity, as there is a huge risk of bacteria entering the food tract.
Treatment of mycosis of the esophagus can be carried out not only by the use of tablets, but also through the endoscopic administration of concentrated forms of drugs. There is also a laser treatment technique.
Drugs
When choosing drugs for treatment, the doctor must take into account the resistance of the fungus. Most often, drugs from the group of fungicides are prescribed: Miconazole, Clotrimazole, Fluconazole and others. Not so long ago appeared on the pharmaceutical marketnew generation drugs that affect the synthesis of the fungal wall and destroy it, for example, Cancidas.
Most likely, the doctor will advise resorting to diet and alternative medicine to alleviate the patient's condition.
Diet food
Nutrition plays a huge role in therapeutic measures in case of mycosis of the esophagus. Most patients have to give up their usual diet. The best foods to speed up the healing process are those that contain beneficial bacteria:
- serum;
- yogurt;
- biokefir.
However, when using fermented milk products, you will have to adhere to a certain rule: be sure to alternate them in order to prevent the fungus from becoming addicted to certain beneficial bacteria.
It is recommended to introduce oatmeal jelly and pickled vegetables into the diet. But you will have to give up sweets, chocolate, fatty and fried foods, smoked meats and seasonings, that is, remove everything that can irritate the esophagus.
If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, then there is a great chance to completely get rid of the disease and prevent its recurrence.
Alternative medicine
It is not forbidden to treat mycosis of the esophagus and folk remedies, such recommendations can even be heard from the attending physician. After all, medicinal plants improve the effect of conservative therapy.
You can make a tincture with kerosene. Suitable young pine branches, cones, black poplar buds, shootsarborvitae, cypress and other conifers. Needles are placed in a jar and filled with kerosene. After three months, treatment can be started by taking half a teaspoon three times before meals (30 minutes in advance). It is necessary to store such a product in a cool and dark place.
If mycosis began to progress in the oral cavity, then it is recommended to rinse it with a solution of baking soda. For one glass of warm water, you need 1 teaspoon of baking soda. The rinsing procedure should be carried out 3 times throughout the day.
You can make decoctions of herbs (sage, chamomile, yarrow and calendula). Another recipe includes calendula, St. John's wort, oak bark and celandine. All components are mixed, then a decoction is made from them, which can be drunk instead of tea.
Carrot juice has good antimicrobial properties and can be consumed on a regular basis.
Danger of mycosis of the esophagus
Why does it happen? There are a lot of reasons for the appearance of such an ailment, and the disease itself is very dangerous. Therefore, it is so important to immediately consult a doctor at the slightest suspicion of mycosis. If there is no adequate treatment, the following complications may occur:
- internal hemorrhages;
- purulent processes in the connective tissue;
- death of intestinal tissues;
- narrowing of the lumen of the esophagus;
- ulcers on the mucous membrane that provoke the development of the inflammatory process.
All these complications will not only bring discomfort and pain, but also threaten human life.
Prevention of disease development
To prevent the development of mycosis, you should follow the simplest rules of hygiene:
- wash your hands regularly, especially before eating;
- brush your teeth twice a day;
- limit sweets;
- if you had to be treated with antibacterial or antifungal agents, then be sure to take probiotics in parallel to reduce the negative impact of such drugs.
Do not forget about strengthening the body's defenses. Go in for sports and do not allow hypothermia. Nutrition should be balanced.
