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Chronic esophagitis
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 12.07.2025
Chronic esophagitis is a disease of the esophagus, which is characterized by inflammation of the esophageal mucosa lasting more than 6 months.
Inflammation of the esophageal mucosa lasting up to 3 months is considered acute esophagitis, and lasting from 3 to 6 months is considered subacute esophagitis.
What causes chronic esophagitis?
Depending on the cause that causes the development of chronic esophagitis, the following types of the disease are distinguished.
Alimentary esophagitis
Alimentary esophagitis occurs as a result of constant trauma to the mucous membrane of the esophagus from hot, spicy, too cold, rough food, as well as due to alcohol abuse.
Occupational esophagitis
Occupational esophagitis develops as a result of constant exposure of the esophageal mucosa to harmful production factors (vapors of concentrated acids, alkalis, heavy metal salts, etc.).
Congestive esophagitis
Congestive esophagitis is caused by constant and prolonged stagnation and decomposition of food in the esophagus. This condition can be observed in the following diseases: esophageal diverticula, benign and malignant esophageal stenosis and achalasia of the cardia.
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Peptic esophagitis or reflux esophagitis
This form of esophagitis develops as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Pathogenesis of chronic esophagitis
The pathogenesis of chronic esophagitis consists of the damaging effect of etiological factors on the esophageal mucosa, as well as a decrease in its protective properties and resistance.
Symptoms of chronic esophagitis
Symptoms of chronic esophagitis depend on the degree of inflammatory changes in the esophageal mucosa, concomitant esophageal dyskinesia and the conditions that caused the development of chronic esophagitis.
Where does it hurt?
What's bothering you?
Diagnosis of chronic esophagitis
Diagnosis of chronic esophagitis is based on the use of instrumental research methods (X-ray examination of the esophagus, esophagoscopy, esophagomanometry, 24-hour intraesophageal pH-metry) and laboratory methods (general blood test).
Diagnosis of chronic esophagitis
Differential diagnosis of chronic esophagitis comes down to differential diagnosis of the main symptoms of the disease - dysphagia, chest pain, belching and vomiting.
What do need to examine?
Who to contact?
Treatment of chronic esophagitis
The main goal of chronic esophagitis treatment is to eliminate the cause of the disease, which is identified through a comprehensive examination of the patient, which includes a study of his autonomic nervous system, the functional and organic state of the gastrointestinal tract and upper respiratory tract. If necessary, tube feeding is performed, and anatomical defects of the esophagus and tumor diseases are eliminated. Non-surgical treatment of chronic esophagitis is the responsibility of gastroenterologists, surgical treatment is the responsibility of thoracic surgeons.
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