Esophagus infection or irritation can cause esophageal ulcers that have some symptoms.
Symptoms of Esophagitis
- Difficulty during swallowing (dysphagia)
- Pain during Swallowing (odynophagia)
- Heartburn is a burning sensation in the upper abdomen, lower chest, and throat.
- Hoarseness
- Red and Sore mouth
- Red and Sore throat
- Choking sensation - Sensation of something being stuck in the throat
- Regurgitation (food moves back into the mouth)
- Chest pain just behind your breastbone particularly occurs when eating.
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chronic cough
- Bad breath (halitosis)
Normally, the esophagitis symptoms tend to worsen at:
- Night when lying down in bed,
- When bending down, lifting or straining.
If you have many of these symptoms, then you need to go for esophagitis diagnosis/test. Early diagnosis and treatment is suggesting preventing any complications.
Esophagitis Diagnosis
If you have most of the symptoms of esophagitis, doctors may prescribe some medication. If there is no notable improvement, then your doctor may suggest you some esophagitis diagnosis tests.
These tests include:
- Upper endoscopy - is a procedure that helps gastroenterologist to examine the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum (first part of small bowel) using a thin, flexible tube with light & camera and view the images using a monitor.
- Biopsy - a small sample of the esophageal tissue is removed and sent to a lab for examine it under a microscope.
- Upper GI series (or barium swallow) - is a radiological test used to visualize the structures of the upper digestive system (esophagus, stomach and duodenum). The test is carrying out after drinking a barium solution. Barium solution coats the esophagus lining and shows up as white on an x-ray. This helps doctors to assess certain esophagus abnormalities.