The esophagus may heal within 6–8 weeks with the following lifestyle changes and treatments. Read more about GERD with esophagitis. Get weekly insights on ways to manage digestive conditions and boost your allover gut health.
Although healing of the esophagus may occur in 6 to 8 weeks, it should not be misunderstood that gastroesophageal reflux can be cured in that amount of time. The goal of therapy for GERD is to keep symptoms comfortably under control and prevent complications.
Esophagitis Symptoms
Difficult or painful swallowing. Acid reflux. Heartburn. A feeling of something of being stuck in the throat.
The main symptoms of esophagitis are: Pain in the chest (behind the breastbone) or throat. The pain can be burning, heavy or sharp. If acid reflux is the cause of esophagitis, the pain may be worse after meals or when you lie flat.
Change your eating habits to limit acid or irritation of the esophagus. This might mean switching to a bland diet for a while and avoiding spicy foods, citrus foods, chocolate, fatty foods, and caffeine. Stop smoking. Avoid or limit alcohol.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
PPIs suppress acid production much more effectively than H2 blockers. PPIs are the most effective medication for healing erosive esophagitis and providing long-term control of GERD symptoms.
Fiber. To keep foods soft, raw fruits and vegetables can be replaced with canned and frozen fruits—like applesauce and fruit cups. Avocados and bananas also work well. Soups and broths will help soften squash, potatoes (without the skins), carrots, peas, and other vegetables.
Some research suggests that inflammation in the esophagus (esophagitis) from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can take up to 8 weeks to heal with successful lifestyle changes and medications.
Yes, GERD can be cured. The most common treatment for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease is medication, which can help to decrease the amount of acid in your stomach. If lifestyle changes don't help, your doctor may also recommend surgery.
In some patients, heartburn does not go away, and over time the acids in the stomach damage the cells in the esophagus to the extent that they cannot repair themselves ... and this can lead to Barrett's esophagus.
Drinking water, low fat milk, and herbal teas may help manage it. Alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and sodas may worsen symptoms, however. Acid reflux, or heartburn, occurs when stomach acid flows up into a person's esophagus, or food pipe. It is common for people to experience acid reflux intermittently.
Spicy or salty foods. Avoid citrus fruit and juices such as oranges, grapefruit, cranberry juice. Do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Stress caused by anxiety may also affect contractions occurring in the esophagus, which propel food toward the stomach. If these contractions become irregular, it can lead to reflux. Finally, high stress and anxiety levels may increase the production of stomach acid.
Yes, it's possible. Emotional stress can increase acid production in the stomach, aggravating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In people with GERD, the lower esophageal sphincter muscle (which acts as a door between the stomach and the esophagus) doesn't work properly.
Your symptoms don't go away with initial medical treatment. Scarring can lead to a stricture (narrowing or tightening) of the esophagus. This narrowing can cause continuing swallowing difficulties that may require additional treatment.
Upper GI endoscopy is used to view the esophagus and check for inflammation or other symptoms.
Results—The cumulative healing rate at 12 weeks in the initial healing period was 95%, and 96% and 98% on rehealing courses after relapse in the first and second maintenance periods respectively. After 12 weeks of treatment, 98% of patients were free from heartburn and 97% were free of all reflux related symptoms.
CMW Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, can be caused by several conditions. The most common cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition known to occur in many individuals in the general population, though probably more often in adults than children.