2. Symptoms: More Than Just a Sore Throat
You might think that a sore throat or difficulty swallowing points to something minor—like a cold or perhaps overdoing it at last night’s karaoke. However, these are common symptoms of esophagitis. But let’s get into the nitty-gritty; it’s not just a garden-variety discomfort we’re talking about here.
Esophagitis brings a unique combination of symptoms to the table. Aside from the expected sore throat and difficulty swallowing, patients often experience chest pain that’s easily mistaken for something more alarming, like a heart attack. A distinct indicator here is that the chest pain will often worsen when you’re lying down.
But wait, there’s more! Unpleasant tastes or even bad breath are also symptoms of esophagitis. You might be brushing and flossing religiously, but if your esophagus isn’t cooperating, it can throw a wrench into your oral hygiene routine.
The story doesn’t end there. Believe it or not, in some cases, esophagitis can lead to food getting stuck in the esophagus. That’s called food impaction, and it’s as unpleasant as it sounds. Imagine eating a delicious meal and suddenly feeling like you can’t breathe because something’s stuck. (2)
