Esophagitis occurs when the disease attacks the mucosa lining the esophagus. It has causes including stomach acid reflux, inflammatory diseases, and viruses.
Symptoms include difficulty swallowing, a feeling of a foreign body in the throat, and a burning sensation behind the breastbone. Treatment depends on the cause, but can be alleviated by stopping smoking and reducing drinks containing caffeine such as black tea and coffee. In addition to losing weight, people should avoid fatty, acidic or spicy foods.