Erosive Esophagitis – What It Is and How to Handle It

If you’ve ever felt a burning sensation in your chest after a meal, you might have heard doctors mention “erosive esophagitis.” It’s basically the lining of your esophagus getting irritated and worn away, usually because stomach acid keeps coming up. Knowing the basics helps you stop the discomfort before it turns into a bigger problem.

What Causes Erosive Esophagitis?

The main culprit is gastro‑esophageal reflux disease (GERD). When the valve at the bottom of the esophagus doesn’t close tightly, acid splashes up and starts eating away at the tissue. Other triggers include certain foods (spicy dishes, caffeine, chocolate), smoking, obesity, and some medications like NSAIDs. Even a hiatal hernia can make reflux more likely, increasing the risk of erosion.

How to Manage It

First‑line treatment is usually a proton‑pump inhibitor (PPI) or an H2 blocker. These drugs reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes, giving the esophagus a chance to heal. Most people notice relief within a week, but it can take a few weeks for the lining to fully recover.

Alongside medication, lifestyle tweaks make a big difference. Try to eat smaller meals, avoid lying down for at least three hours after eating, and raise the head of your bed by a few inches. Cutting back on alcohol, nicotine, and trigger foods helps keep acid at bay.

Diet plays a starring role. Focus on low‑acid foods like oatmeal, bananas, and steamed vegetables. Fatty or fried foods slow stomach emptying, so keep those to a minimum. Drinking water between meals rather than with them can also reduce reflux episodes.

If symptoms persist despite these steps, your doctor might recommend an endoscopy to check the extent of the damage. In rare cases, surgery (like a fundoplication) is considered to strengthen the valve and stop reflux for good.

Bottom line: erosive esophagitis is manageable with the right mix of meds, diet, and habits. Keep track of what triggers your heartburn, follow your treatment plan, and you’ll likely see the burning fade away. If you ever feel severe pain, difficulty swallowing, or unexplained weight loss, seek medical attention right away.