Esophageal corrosion occurs when harmful substances pass through the esophagus. These substances can damage the mucosa of the esophagus in event of contact. The treatment may include medication to alleviate the symptoms, performing a dilatation of the esophagus, and even surgery to remove severely damaged part of the esophagus.
The esophagus is a long and hollow tube, which connects the throat with the stomach, and its purpose is to transport food into the stomach. Esophageal corrosion is a form of esophageal inflammation (esophagitis) with extensive alteration of the mucosa, which is caused by harmful substances that damage the mucous membrane and other esophageal tissues in event of contact.
There are various substances that can cause esophageal corrosion. The three most common substances include: 1) Caustic substances: people may drink this type of substance accidentally or with suicidal purpose. Some of these substances are common in daily life, for example cleaners, acids, alkalis, and other strong chemicals. 2) Boiling fluids: very hot fluids can cause burning of the esophageal mucosa. 3) Pills: Some pills contain substances that are toxic for the mucosa. If such pills are stuck in the esophagus, they can also damage its tissues. Besides esophageal corrosion, there are some more reasons for an inflammation of the esophagus, such as radiation therapy, infections with viruses and fungi, and the most common is reflux of gastric acid (see also gastric reflux disease). People with esophageal inflammations often have symptoms such as pain during swallowing, difficulty in swallowing, esophageal stricture, loss of appetite and even bleeding.
The treatment of esophageal corrosion includes: 1) medication: antibiotic drugs will be used to prevent further infections, steroids can help decrease inflammation, stomach acid blockers can help reduce the additional irritation from stomach acid, and antiulcer medications can help the esophagus to heal. 2) Dilatation: esophageal corrosion may also result in esophageal stricture due to the development of scars. Therefore it is sometimes necessary to perform a dilatation of the esophagus. 3) Surgery: in severe cases surgery may be needed to remove the irreparably damaged parts of the esophagus.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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