This symptom is actually fungal esophagitis

Fungal esophagitis is caused by infection with Candida albicans. Generally, symptoms will appear on the human skin or in the anus and vagina. Symptoms of fungal esophagitis may also appear. It can be improved and treated by taking medication, and you should also pay attention to dietary moderation.

symptom

Most patients with fungal esophagitis seek medical treatment due to upper gastrointestinal symptoms, such as foreign body sensation when swallowing, discomfort behind the sternum, acid reflux, nausea, and a feeling of fullness. Or there may only be upper abdominal discomfort and anorexia. During routine gastroscopy, doctors may find discontinuous dot-like and island-like white matter attached to the esophagus, which is not easily washed away with water. Bacterial brushing and smear examinations may reveal fungal infections such as Candida albicans, Cryptococcus or Coccidia.

Causes

1. Long-term and high-dose use of broad-spectrum antibiotics will inhibit sensitive bacteria in the body and disrupt the body's balance. For example, if certain Gram-negative bacteria that can produce antifungal substances are inhibited, the reproduction rate of mold will accelerate.

2. Long-term use of large amounts of adrenal cortical hormones can promote the lysis of neutrophils and macrophages, reduce antibodies, and increase the toxic effects of mold.

3. High-dose radiation exposure and the use of immunosuppressants cause a decrease in the number of neutrophils and macrophages, and even directly damage normal tissues and cells, thus creating conditions for fungal infection.

4. Malnutrition, aging, wasting diseases, surgery, etc. can lead to low cellular immune function and reduced phagocytic and bactericidal functions of white blood cells.

Notice

Chronic diseases and long-term use of antibiotics can increase the chance of fungal infection of the esophagus, leading to the occurrence of fungal esophagitis. For example, patients with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, blood diseases, malignant tumors, chronic kidney disease, etc. However, it should be noted that some healthy people may also develop esophageal fungal infections, which may be related to their temporary decrease in immune capacity. In addition, Director Zhou Changjiang specifically pointed out that fungal esophagitis often coexists with oropharyngeal candidiasis or limb fungal infection, which also suggests that healthy people may develop secondary esophageal fungal infection. Treatment usually requires the use of antifungal drugs in combination. For example, nystatin plus fluconazole can be used for 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, while some patients may need six weeks of treatment. Since most patients with fungal esophagitis suffer from chronic diseases, gastrointestinal reactions or symptoms of liver and kidney damage may occur during long-term use. In order to avoid the side effects of antifungal drugs, once discovered by gastroscopy, a drug can be sprayed immediately. Through the surface bactericidal effect, it can effectively remove the fungi infected on the surface of the esophageal mucosa. There are no side effects caused by antifungal drugs, and the local treatment effect is obvious.

Prevention

Fungal esophagitis should be treated with a combination of prevention and treatment, especially prevention of infections caused by iatrogenic factors, and strict control of the indications for the use of antibiotics and hormones to reduce the occurrence of the disease. There are many treatment methods, including Chinese medicine Xilei San, Yunnan Baiyao, allicin, and Western medicine nystatin, amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole and other antifungal treatments are all effective.