Table of Contents
What does distal esophagitis mean?
Reflux esophagitis is an esophageal mucosal injury that occurs secondary to retrograde flux of gastric contents into the esophagus. Clinically, this is referred to as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Typically, the reflux disease involves the distal 8-10 cm of the esophagus and the gastroesophageal junction.
What causes distal esophagitis?
Causes of esophagitis include stomach acids backing up into the esophagus, infection, oral medications and allergies.
What is it called when you have a narrow esophagus?
An esophageal stricture is an abnormal tightening or narrowing of the esophagus. Your esophagus is a muscular tube that connects the throat to the stomach, carrying food and liquid.
What is a diverticulum of esophagus?
Esophageal diverticula are weak parts of the esophagus that pouch outward. The types of diverticula include: Zenker’s diverticula, which occur at the top of the esophagus. Mid-esophageal, which occur in the middle. Ephiphrenic diverticula, which appear at the bottom.
What is distal esophageal mucosa?
Most patients with extensive segments of columnar mucosa in the distal esophagus have a mixture of gastric-type mucosal cells and specialized columnar mucosa. It is the specialized columnar mucosa that appears to be at risk for malignant degeneration.
Can esophagitis be caused by stress?
These results suggest that stress could actually induce objective reflux of gastric contents and eventually result in reflux esophagitis regardless of symptom presence. Furthermore, stress is believed to induce reflux esophagitis by increasing esophageal mucosal permeability.
How serious is esophagitis?
Untreated esophagitis can lead to ulcers, scarring, and severe narrowing of the esophagus, which can be a medical emergency. Your treatment options and outlook depend on the cause of your condition. Most healthy people improve within two to four weeks with proper treatment.
What is Barrett esophagus?
Barrett’s esophagus is a condition in which the flat pink lining of the swallowing tube that connects the mouth to the stomach (esophagus) becomes damaged by acid reflux, which causes the lining to thicken and become red.
What causes a pocket in your esophagus?
It is believed that the internal pressure produced by the esophagus to move food into the stomach can herniate the esophageal lining through a weakened wall, creating a pouch or a diverticulum. There is usually distal end obstruction.
Is the distal esophagus the lower esophagus?
The dilated distal esophagus is the pathologic manifestation of destruction of the abdominal segment of the lower esophageal sphincter.