The etiology of Esophagitis: When I think of how to define Esophagitis, I try to explain it as a serious condition that entails an inflammation of the esophageal lining. Esophageal lining is the mucus-coated passage of your throat or esophagus. The esophagus is the tube that carries food, from the minute you swallow, down your throat to the stomach. If the condition goes untreated, it can become very uncomfortable, causing complications with swallowing, stomach ulcers, and esophageal/internal throat scarring. Esophagitis is caused by an infection or irritation in the esophagus and can be painful, difficult swallowing and chest pain.. An infection can originate from many factors such as: bacteria, viruses, fungi, or immune system weakening. …show more content…
Over-the-counter medications are ones that can be purchased out of the store without a prescription. The over-the-counter medications that can be purchased without a doctor’s prescription are as follows: antacids, like Maalox and Mylanta, that reduce acid production or H-2-receptor blockers, like, cimetidine or Tagamet HB and ranitidine or Zantac, and medications that block acid production and heal the esophagus, like Lansoprazole or Prevacid and Omeprazole or Prilosec, called proton pump inhibitors. In addition to the previously listed medication, there is a medication called Baclofen that may decrease the constant muscular movement of the lower esophageal sphincter. The decrease of this movement calms the inner parts and reduces acidic development. Lastly, a somewhat helpful, yet unorthodox treatment to calm acid reflux is chewing gum in foil right after a meal, this method stimulates saliva production. During saliva production, the acid is neutralized and assists in moving food from the stomach to the small intestine in a more abrupt manner. In the article, Magee prefers sufferers to choose a “flavor that isn 't peppermint or mint”, this would assist in soothing and calming the esophageal lining and