1 Clinical picture

Distal reflux esophagitis occurs when irritant factors influence the esophagus. Because of this, the tissues of the organ swell. Mucous membranes begin to become inflamed. In the normal state, the esophagus does not react strongly to aggressive food, but if its protective mechanisms weakens, this esophagus arises, which is characterized by inflammatory processes in the place where the food is adversely affected by the esophagus. The defeat itself can only be on a certain area of ​​the organ or on its entire internal surface. If the entire esophagus is inflamed, then the esophagitis will be total. If the affected areas are located only in the lower part of the tubular organ, esophagitis is called distal. This ailment occurs if the integrity of the mucous membranes of the esophagus is broken in the region closer to the stomach. By the way, from the lack of cardia this also depends. It is this form of the disease that is most common.

The disease is of a lengthy nature. Symptoms of the disease differ depending on its type. Sometimes symptoms do not appear at all. Due to lack of treatment, esophagitis becomes chronic. In this case, the periods of remission alternate with exacerbation.

In some cases, the disease develops due to the fact that the lower sphincter is weakened and does not fulfill its functions. He must keep the food lump in his stomach and do not let the contents of the stomach go out into the esophagus. If the muscle ring weakens, then food is thrown. This phenomenon is called reflux. Very often this is accompanied by an increase in the level of acidity in the stomach.

2 Types of inflammation in the esophagus

There are many classifications of distal esophagitis. They can take into account the localization of the affected areas of the organ, the course of the disease, the form and complications. But most often used classification, which takes into account changes in the mucous layers of the esophagus. According to this theory, erosive reflux esophagitis, catarrhal, necrotic and hemorrhagic is isolated. Most often, these disorders appear on the far part of the esophagus( distal section).With this may be associated with stomach diseases, the release of hydrochloric acid into the esophagus, narrowing of the lumen in the tubular organ and so on.

The most common form of distal lesion is catarrhal esophagitis. In this case, the local reaction of the mucous membrane is pronounced, reddening( hyperemia) and swelling of the tissues. This form is also known as superficial esophagitis. It is this disease that is associated with the problems of cardia and its insufficiency. Cardia is the lower sphincter, which separates the stomach and esophagus. The superficial type of the disease appears for various reasons, but the most obvious is the frequent casting of gastric juice into the esophagus, which irritates the mucous layers of the organ. By the way, sometimes catarrhal esophagitis occurs with gastritis, which is caused by the activity of the bacterium, with various viral diseases that occur in an acute form.

In the hemorrhagic form of the disease, inflammatory processes are of a nonspecific nature. They develop because of infections. For example, the cause may be epidemic typhus of a typhus type.

Erosive esophagitis is also not a rare form. Very often the aggressive effect of the reagent is so pronounced that not only inflammation but also various defects that are called erosions appear on the mucous membrane areas. Erosive esophagitis gradually intensifies, if not treated. As a result, erosions become very deep ulcers.

If esophagitis occurs due to a sharp weakening of the immune defense and the appearance of any infection, then the necrotic form of this unpleasant disease can develop. It is considered the most rare and dangerous.

In the absence of treatment, the ailment acquires a permanent character.

Chronic distal esophagitis is much more difficult to treat, so it's better to consult a doctor and be examined in time.

3 Treatment of

disease Treatment of distal esophagitis must begin with the identification of all factors that have affected the development of the disease and minimize their impact on the patient's body. First you need to be examined, and then to identify the causes of the disease. Symptomatic therapy will not be sufficient for complete recovery. If different infections and other factors are eliminated in time, complications can be avoided. In addition, recovery will go much faster.

If a patient has esophagitis caused by a bacterial infection, the doctor must prescribe antibacterial agents that will help fight the infection. It is necessary to check microorganisms for sensitivity to antibiotics. In addition, it should be borne in mind that for a long time to apply antibiotics is prohibited. If the catarrhal type of the disease was caused by another viral disease, then the patient is assigned antiviral agents. Necessarily need to take medicine that strengthens the immune system so that the body can fight infection.

Given that the lower zones of the esophagus are very often adversely affected by hydrochloric acid from the stomach, you need to include in therapy drugs that can reduce acidity. The rapid effect of medicines from the group of antacids. They need to be taken no longer than a week.

In order to normalize the level of acidity in the stomach, histamine-type receptor blockers are prescribed. Also in this case, proton pump inhibitors will help.

If the patient has a chronic form of esophagitis of the distal part, special therapeutic therapy will be needed to protect the mucous layers of the stomach and esophagus. This treatment is designed to reduce acidity. You need drugs that will not be absorbed immediately. For this purpose preparations from group of alginates are intended.

It is very important in the treatment of this dangerous disease to eliminate all factors that can provoke the development of inflammatory processes. For example, some medicines irritate the mucous membranes. In this case, you will temporarily have to stop using hormonal medications, certain types of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs in tablet form.

When esophagitis is a superficial type, doctors recommend the use of aids that help protect the mucous membranes by enveloping them. For example, different broths and tinctures based on herbs are suitable. It is very useful to drink broths based on inflorescences of chamomile, eucalyptus leaves and mint. It is necessary to use a decoction of rose hips. It can be replaced by a decoction based on viburnum. You can add honey to these drinks. Also useful is sea buckthorn oil. You can use solcoseryl. Of course, do not forget about the diet. It is proper nutrition that plays the main role in the prevention of this disease. Especially dietary nutrition is necessary for people with a chronic form of the disease, tk.this will help prevent the development of an exacerbation. Do not eat too hard food, sweet, alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, smoked foods, fatty, fried, pickled dishes.

4 Recommendations

Distal esophagitis is a fairly common disease. The factors of appearance, signs and the therapy itself are not much different from other diseases of the esophagus with inflammatory characteristics. Most often, the distal department suffers, and therefore the disease is called the distal catarrhal esophagitis. This disease, in general, has a chronic course and appears against the background of diseases of the stomach and lower esophageal sphincter. Therapeutic therapy includes not only the use of medicines, but also various physiotherapy procedures. In addition, you must necessarily put in order the lifestyle and nutrition. Only in this way can the patient's condition be stabilized.