GERD with esophagitis: symptoms, treatment and follow-up

The food pipe, or oesophagus, carries swallowed food to the stomach. Repeated contact with stomach acid can irritate and inflame its lining. This may cause burning pain, painful swallowing, food sticking, regurgitation or chest discomfort. A clinician may diagnose inflammation from your symptoms, tests, or an examination of the upper digestive tract. Chest symptoms can also come from the heart, lungs or muscles.

Take prescribed acid-reducing treatment exactly as instructed and do not stop early without advice. Use smaller meals, avoid foods that clearly trigger symptoms, and remain upright after eating. Avoid smoking and limit habits that worsen reflux. If swallowing hurts, choose textures that are easier to manage and maintain fluids. Your clinician may arrange follow-up to check symptom control and decide whether further examination is needed.

Contact your clinician promptly if swallowing becomes painful or difficult, food feels stuck, symptoms continue despite treatment, or you lose weight without trying. Seek emergency help for vomiting blood, black stools, severe chest pain, faintness or breathing difficulty. Do not assume new chest tightness is reflux, particularly when it comes with sweating or pain spreading to the arm or jaw.

Ask how inflammation was confirmed, how long treatment is expected to continue, which medicines can irritate the food pipe, and what symptoms should trigger an earlier review.