Oesophagitis
clinical manifestations
defination
inflammation that damages the tube running from the throat to the stomach
difficult swallowing
disphagia
pain while swallowing in the chest or abdominal areas
heartburn
esophageal pain possibly radiating to the arms,neck and substernal area.
pathophysilogy
nursing care plan
eat small frequent meals of mostly bland foods
chew food thoroughly before swallowing
drink fluids to aid swallowing and food passage down the esophagus
refrain from laying down after eating
avoid eating within three hours of bedtime
assess all vomitus for content,note undigested food and blood
maintain integrity of the oral mucosa
minimize pain by instructing the patient to avoid irritants
oesophagitis develops when gastric contents are regurgitated into there oesophagus
natural peristalsis of the esophagus clears the refluxate back into stomach resulting in damage of the esophagus
damage causes symptoms and microscopic changes
gastric acid, pepsin, and bile irritate the squamous epithelium leading to inflammation, erosion, and ulceration of the esophageal mucosa.
diagnostic procedures
barium x-ray
laboratory tests
endoscopy
treatment
elimination of culprit food
antacids(cimetidine)
steroids(fluticasone)