Esophagitis in San Antonio, TX

Some of the most common symptoms or signs of esophagitis in adults involve:

• Chest pain
• Difficulty and pain when swallowing
• Food impaction – food getting caught in the esophagus
• Acid regurgitation
• Heartburn

Young children can also develop esophagitis. Common signs of this condition in young kids can include:

• Difficulty feeding/eating
• Failure to thrive (failing to grow at a normal pace, malnutrition, etc.

You should request a consultation with a gastroenterology provider at a San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates location near you if symptoms persist longer than a few days, over-the-counter antacid medications are not providing relief, eating is difficult due to pain, or if your symptoms occur alongside flu-like symptoms such as a headache, fever, and body aches.

Treatment for esophagitis centers on minimizing the symptoms in the patient. The treatment can differ depending on the root cause of the condition. Some of these treatment options might include:

• Changing medications (if caused by oral medications)
• Surgery (to strengthen the esophageal sphincter and reduce acid regurgitation)
• H-2 receptor blockers (prescription-strength acid reflux medications)
• Steroids
• Antivirals
• Dietary restrictions
• Esophageal dilation
• Proton pump inhibitors
• Antibiotics
• Antacids (medications that reduce acid production

The main goal of the prevention and treatment of esophagitis is to diminish acid reflux. This might be achieved by avoiding the consumption of caffeine, mint-flavored food items, and any additional foods that trigger acid regurgitation. Incorporating the following lifestyle changes could also help:

• Lose weight
• Stop smoking
• Proper pill-taking protocols (including eating before taking medication, drinking plenty of water with it, and avoiding lying down after taking pills)
• Avoid lying down after eating