Esophagitis

Description

Inflammation that damages the tube running from the throat to the stomach, called the esophagus.

Overview

Esophagitis causes include stomach acids backing up into the tube, infection, some medicines and allergies.

Symptoms

Esophagitis often causes painful, difficult swallowing and chest pain with eating. Emergency symptoms include food stuck in the esophagus and chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes.

Treatments

Treatments depend on the cause and can include medicines and surgery. In some cases, lifestyle changes also may help.