Conditions and symptoms
What Is Erosive Esophagitis? Food Pipe Damage Explained
Erosive esophagitis · say it: ih-ROH-siv ih-sof-uh-JY-tisAlso written: erosive oesophagitis, reflux esophagitis, EE
Short answer
Erosive esophagitis means the lining of the food pipe is inflamed and has small breaks (erosions), usually from stomach acid reflux.
What it means
The esophagus is the food pipe that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. In erosive esophagitis its lining is inflamed and has worn areas called erosions. This is most often caused by stomach acid flowing back up (GERD), but can also be caused by some tablets that stick in the food pipe, or by infections. It is usually seen during an endoscopy, a test that uses a camera tube.
Labels for proton pump inhibitors list 'healing of erosive esophagitis' as an approved use, often with a set course followed by maintenance treatment. Labels for some other tablets, such as bisphosphonates and some antibiotics, tell you to take them with a full glass of water and stay upright for a while, because otherwise the tablet can irritate or damage the food pipe.
Erosive esophagitis is a more severe form of reflux damage than ordinary heartburn. It is different from Barrett's esophagus, a change in the lining that can develop after long-term reflux and needs follow-up.
Where you may see it
- Proton pump inhibitor labels under 'Indications'
- Bisphosphonate and some antibiotic labels about how to swallow tablets
- Endoscopy reports
📄 How it looks on a report
Endoscopy: Los Angeles grade B esophagitis.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not cancer.
- It does not mean you will need surgery; most people are treated with medicines.
- Feeling better on medicine does not always mean healing is complete; follow your doctor's plan.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Erosive esophagitis”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Erosive esophagitis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Famotidine
A histamine-2 (H2) receptor blocker, a type of medicine that lowers stomach acid.
- Omeprazole
a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a type of medicine that lowers the amount of acid in the stomach
- Pantoprazole
a proton pump inhibitor (PPI), a medicine that reduces the amount of acid the stomach makes
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Erosive esophagitis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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