What kind of doctor do you see for esophagus issues?

A gastroenterologist is a physician with specialized training in managing diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver).

What are the symptoms of problems with the esophagus?

Does an ENT treat esophagus?

Otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat doctors) have extensive experience with the tools that diagnose GERD. They are specialists in treating the complications associated with GERD, including sinus and ear infections, throat and laryngeal inflammation, Barrett's esophagus and ulcerations of the esophagus.

What is the most common symptom of esophageal disease?

The most common symptom of esophageal disease is heartburn, which is defined as a sensation of substernal burning. Chest pain without typical heartburn may occur in a variety of esophageal disorders, including gastroesophageal reflux and motor disorders such as in achalasia.

How do you test for esophagus problems?

During esophageal manometry, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) that contains pressure sensors is passed through your nose, down your esophagus and into your stomach. Esophageal manometry can be helpful in diagnosing certain disorders that can affect your esophagus.

Esophagitis (Esophagus Inflammation): Causes, Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Can a nasal endoscopy see the esophagus?

Transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure that utilizes an ultra thin endoscope inserted through the nasal passages to examine the esophagus and evaluate patients experiencing acid reflux, dysphagia, chronic cough and globus sensation (the feeling of a lump in the throat).

Can a CT scan detect acid reflux?

There are no CT-Scan findings associated with heartburn in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). CT-Scans can be performed to exclude other causes of heartburn such as esophageal cancer, achalasia or hiatal hernia.

How do you fix esophagus problems?

What does esophagus pain feel like?

Squeezing pain in your chest. The pain is often intense, and you might mistake it for heart pain (angina). Difficulty swallowing solids and liquids, sometimes related to swallowing specific substances, such as red wine or extremely hot or cold liquids. The feeling that an object is stuck in your throat.

How do you treat an inflamed esophagus?

Should I see a gastroenterologist or ENT?

If you had stomach issues, you'd check in with a gastroenterologist. And if you developed an issue with your head or neck—including your ears, nose, sinuses, throat, voice box, thyroid and esophagus—you'd take a trip to an otolaryngologist.

Should I see an ENT or gastroenterologist for acid reflux?

What kind of doctor do you think you should see? For many, the answer is to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist who specializes in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. While they may be able to help you in some instances, it may be that you also need the help of an ENT.

What doctor treats difficulty swallowing?

If swallowing is difficult on a regular basis, you should see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist, or otolaryngologist. People normally swallow hundreds of times a day to eat solids, drink liquids, and swallow the normal saliva and mucus that the body produces.

Does Covid affect your esophagus?

Coronavirus and GERD

This backwash of stomach secretions into the esophagus (acid reflux) can irritate the lining of your esophagus.

What is the most common cause of esophagitis?

CMW Esophagitis, or inflammation of the esophagus, can be caused by several conditions. The most common cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition known to occur in many individuals in the general population, though probably more often in adults than children.

How long does an inflamed esophagus take to heal?

It might take 1 to 3 weeks to heal. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems.

What is jackhammer esophagus?

Jackhammer esophagus is a specific disorder of the muscular action of the esophagus (aka “dysmotility”) wherein there are high amplitude abnormal contractions (“spasm”) of the esophageal muscle. These contractions are of much higher force than normal and also are discoordinated compared to normal contraction.

What causes problems with your esophagus?

The most common problem with the esophagus is GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). With GERD, a muscle at the end of your esophagus does not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back, or reflux, into the esophagus and irritate it. Over time, GERD can cause damage to the esophagus.

Does omeprazole help esophageal spasms?

Your doctor also may recommend over-the-counter acid reducers, such as famotidine (Pepcid AC), cimetidine (Tagamet HB), or omeprazole (Prilosec). Eat several small meals instead of two or three large meals.

What are the different types of esophagus problems?

Can a damaged esophagus heal?

Acid reflux, hiatal hernias, vomiting, complications from radiation therapy, and certain oral medications are among the reasons the esophagus can develop inflamed tissue. Esophagitis can usually heal without intervention, but to aid in the recovery, eaters can adopt what's known as an esophageal, or soft food, diet.

Can a chest xray show acid reflux?

Barium swallow chest X ray has low sensitivity. However, it is used to identify associated problems with GERD like esophagitis, esophageal erosions, and ulcers. Findings in barium swallow imaging include the following: Free acid reflux.

Can you do an MRI on the esophagus?

Conclusion. Swallowing MRI is a reliable, safe, and innovative diagnostic imaging modality with which to assess the anatomic and functional features of the gastroesophageal junction and the esophagus in one examination.

Does GERD show up on endoscopy?

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the mos common disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with GERD symptoms may exhibit a spectrum of endoscopic findings ranging from normal endoscopy (EGD negative) to severe ulcerative esophagitis.