Treating Erosive Esophagitis

Erosive esophagitis is a condition in which the esophagus is inflamed, irritated or swollen. Symptoms include a burning sensation in the esophagus, difficulty swallowing and acid reflux. Treating erosive esophagitis requires a doctor's expertise, as ineffective treatment can lead to permanent damage.

Things You'll Need

• Doctor
• Medication
• Straws
• Soft foods
• Wedge pillow

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Instructions

• 1

  Go to the doctor. The doctor will need to perform tests to determine whether erosive esophagitis is really the problem. Tests for this condition include an endoscopy, an esophagus culture, a biopsy of the inflamed tissue and a barium X-ray. These tests allow the doctor to look at how the esophagus is functioning and rule out other medical conditions.

• 2

  Follow the treatment as prescribed by the doctor. Treatment may include pain medication, steroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics to treat any infection related to the erosive esophagitis or medications designed to reduce acid production if acid reflux is found to be a cause.

• 3

  Avoid triggers and irritants. Alcohol, tobacco, spicy foods, hard foods and acidic foods can all irritate the condition, so it's best to stick to mild fare. Consume drinks through straws and purchase soft, mellow foods such as pudding and soup to consume until the condition heals.

• 4

  Purchase a wedge pillow and use it while sleeping. Wedge pillows, which keep the upper body elevated during the night, can cut back on acid reflux that can further irritate the esophagus.