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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffRisk factors for esophagitis vary depending on the different causes of the disorder.
Reflux esophagitis
Factors that increase the risk of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — and therefore are factors in reflux esophagitis — include the following:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
- Hiatal hernia, a condition in which the stomach pushes through the opening in the diaphragm where the esophagus joins the stomach
A number of foods may worsen symptoms of GERD or reflux esophagitis:
- Tomato-based foods
- Citrus fruits
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Spicy foods
- Garlic and onions
- Chocolate
- Mint-flavored foods
Eosinophilic esophagitis
Risk factors for eosinophilic esophagitis, or allergy-related esophagitis, may include:
- A family history of the disorder, suggesting that a gene or genes may increase the risk of eosinophilic esophagitis
- A family history of allergies
Drug-induced esophagitis
Factors that may increase the risk of drug-induced esophagitis are generally related to issues that prevent quick and complete passage of a pill into the stomach. These factors include:
- Swallowing a pill with little or no water
- Taking drugs while lying down
- Taking drugs right before sleep, probably due in part to the production of less saliva and swallowing less during sleep
- Older age, possibly because of age-related changes to the muscles of the esophagus or a decreased production of saliva
- Large or oddly shaped pills
Infectious esophagitis
The primary risk factor for infectious esophagitis is poor immune system function due to such conditions as HIV/AIDS and certain cancers. Increased risk may also be due to certain cancer treatments, drugs that block immune system reactions to transplanted organs (immunosuppressants) and various immune system disorders.
- Franciosi JP. Eosinophilic esophagitis. Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America. 2009;29:19.
- Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux (GER), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gerd/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
- Castell DO. Medication-induced esophagitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
- Graman PS. Esophagitis. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00094-1&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&uniqId=270386537-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00094-1. Accessed Aug. 1, 2011.
- Patti MG. Gastroesophageal reflux disease: From pathophysiology to treatment. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 2010;16:3745.
- Geagea A, et al. Scope of drug-induced, infectious and allergic esophageal injury. Current Opinion in Gastroenterology. 2008;24:496.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 11, 2011.
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