Symptoms

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

When to see a doctor

Most signs and symptoms of esophagitis can be caused by a number of different conditions affecting the digestive system. See your doctor if signs or symptoms:

• Last more than a few days
• Don't improve or go away with over-the-counter antacids
• Are severe enough to make eating difficult
• Are accompanied by flu signs and symptoms, such as headache, fever and muscle aches

Get emergency care if you:

• Experience pain in your chest that lasts more than a few minutes
• Suspect you have food lodged in your esophagus
• Have a history of heart disease and experience chest pain
• Experience pain in your mouth or throat when you eat
• Have shortness of breath or chest pain that occurs shortly after eating
• Vomit large amounts, often have forceful vomiting, have trouble breathing after vomiting or have vomit that is yellow or green, looks like coffee grounds, or contains blood