Common signs and symptoms of esophagitis include:

• Difficult swallowing
• Painful swallowing
• Chest pain, particularly behind the breastbone, that occurs with eating
• Swallowed food becoming stuck in the esophagus (food impaction)
• Heartburn
• Acid regurgitation

In infants and young children, particularly those too young to explain their discomfort or pain, signs of esophagitis may include:

• Feeding difficulties
• Failure to thrive

Esophagitis is generally categorized by the conditions that cause it. In some cases, more than one factor may be causing esophagitis.

Reflux esophagitis

A valve-like structure called the lower esophageal sphincter usually keeps the acidic contents of the stomach out of the esophagus. If this valve opens when it shouldn't or doesn't close properly, the contents of the stomach may back up into the esophagus (gastroesophageal reflux). Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which this backflow of acid is a frequent or ongoing problem. A complication of GERD is chronic inflammation and tissue damage in the esophagus.

Eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophils (e-o-SIN-o-fils) are white blood cells that play a key role in allergic reactions. Eosinophilic esophagitis occurs with a high concentration of these white blood cells in the esophagus, most likely in response to an allergy-causing agent (allergen) or acid reflux or both.

In many cases, this type of esophagitis may be triggered by foods such as milk, eggs, wheat, soy, peanuts, beans, rye and beef. However, conventional allergy testing does not reliably identify these culprit foods.

People with eosinophilic esophagitis may have other nonfood allergies. For example, sometimes inhaled allergens, such as pollen, may be the cause.

Lymphocytic esophagitis

Lymphocytic esophagitis (LE) is an uncommon esophageal condition in which there are an increased number of lymphocytes in the lining of the esophagus. LE may be related to eosinophilic esophagitis or to GERD.

Drug-induced esophagitis

Several oral medications may cause tissue damage if they remain in contact with the lining of the esophagus for too long. For example, if you swallow a pill with little or no water, the pill itself or residue from the pill may remain in the esophagus. Drugs that have been linked to esophagitis include:

• Pain-relieving medications, such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve, others)
• Antibiotics, such as tetracycline and doxycycline
• Potassium chloride, which is used to treat potassium deficiency
• Bisphosphonates, including alendronate (Fosamax), a treatment for weak and brittle bones (osteoporosis)
• Quinidine, which is used to treat heart problems

Infectious esophagitis

A bacterial, viral or fungal infection in tissues of the esophagus may cause esophagitis. Infectious esophagitis is relatively rare and occurs most often in people with poor immune system function, such as people with HIV/AIDS or cancer.

A fungus normally present in the mouth called Candida albicans is a common cause of infectious esophagitis. Such infections are often associated with poor immune system function, diabetes, cancer, or the use of steroid or antibiotic medications.

Risk 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:

• Eating immediately before going to bed
• Dietary factors such as excess alcohol, caffeine, chocolate and mint-flavored foods
• Excessively large and fatty meals
• Smoking
• Extra weight, including from pregnancy

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 history of certain allergic reactions, including allergic rhinitis, asthma and atopic dermatitis
• A family history of eosinophilic esophagitis

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

Risk factors for infectious esophagitis often relate to medications, such as steroids and antibiotics. People with diabetes also are at increased risk of candida esophagitis in particular.

Other causes of infectious esophagitis may relate to poor immune system function. This may be due to an immune disorder, HIV/AIDS or certain cancers. Also, certain cancer treatments and drugs that block immune system reactions to transplanted organs (immunosuppressants) may increase the risk of infectious esophagitis.

Left untreated, esophagitis can lead to changes in the structure of the esophagus. Possible complications include:

• Scarring or narrowing (stricture) of the esophagus
• Tearing of the esophagus lining tissue from retching (if food gets stuck) or during endoscopy (due to inflammation)
• Barrett's esophagus, characterized by changes to the cells lining the esophagus, increasing your risk of esophageal cancer