My Esophagus Burns When Eating
With the help of the throat muscles, the esophagus relays food and drink to the stomach, keeping the body nourished and hydrated. Burning sensations in the esophagus can make swallowing painful, leading to poor nutrition. Burning in the chest associated with meals may be from esophageal conditions such as acid reflux, inflammation or ulcers. However, pain and burning while swallowing may also relate to conditions that involve the pharynx, or throat, since the throat muscles are so important in swallowing.
A woman holding her throat. (Image: deeepblue/iStock/Getty Images)Gastroesophageal Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, is a recurring problem, with symptoms affecting over 20 percent of Americans. It occurs when the esophagus becomes irritated from a back-flow of stomach acid. Prolonged exposure to acid reflux and irritation can result in painful swallowing and other complications because the lining of the esophagus becomes sore and inflamed. Structures in the throat can also be involved. There may be a burning feeling in the chest, throat and upper abdomen -- heartburn -- with other possible symptoms including nausea, vomiting and bad breath. Smoking and certain medications can further contribute to acid reflux and irritation of the esophagus and throat. Lifestyle changes in combination with acid-suppressing drugs lead to symptom improvement for most people with GERD.
Esophageal Pain and Burning
GERD is just one cause of inflammation of the esophagus, or esophagitis, and painful swallowing. Certain medications and supplements, infections such as candidiasis and radiation therapy may all cause esophagitis. Esophagitis may be associated with painful ulcers and even cellular changes. Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune disease that's increasingly recognized as a more common gastrointestinal disorder. Some people with this condition have pain in the center of the chest that does not improve with acid-suppressing medication.
The lining of the esophagus may be damaged in a number of other ways to produce pain, including swallowing food or foreign objects that scratch the lining as they go down. Problems with the muscular contraction and relaxation of the esophagus can also be painful. A description of timing and nature of the symptoms, along with tests, can help you and your doctor determine what may be causing your esophagitis or esophageal pain. Bring a list of current medications, and let your doctor know about any antibiotics -- even if recently finished -- since some may be responsible for drug-induced esophagitis.
Pharyngitis
A sore, scratchy and inflamed throat from pharyngitis can result in painful swallowing and loss of appetite and may be mistaken for esophageal pain. Pharyngitis can cause the tonsils at the back of the throat to become swollen and sore, which can make eating rather difficult. Most cases of pharyngitis are caused by viruses such as cold viruses, the flu or mononucleosis -- conditions that generally go away on their own with time. However, strep throat -- a bacterial pharyngitis -- is treated with antibiotics. Consulting your doctor's office can help you decide whether it is best to treat the symptoms and wait it out, or whether you need to be seen sooner.
Tonsillitis
Painful swallowing can be brought on by throat ulcers and acutely inflamed tonsils in tonsillitis. Tonsils may become infected by some of the same bacterial and viral agents that strike elsewhere in the throat, like streptococcus, adenovirus and herpes simplex. Short-term or acute bacterial tonsillitis can be treated with antibiotics. Chronic or recurring cases may benefit from surgical removal of the tonsils. Difficulty breathing, voice muffling, drooling or severe throat pain should be addressed immediately, as these symptoms may mean that something called a peritonsillar abscess has developed.
Precautions and Warnings
While acid reflux is often the cause of that burning sensation in the esophagus around meals, many other illnesses produce painful sensations in the throat and chest. Painful or difficult swallowing accompanied by the feeling that something is stuck in your throat should be evaluated by a doctor. Seek emergency care if you are vomiting blood or have what appears to be coffee grounds in your vomit.
Pain in the chest should never be ignored. Heartburn may be mistaken for a heart attack and vice versa -- if in doubt, check it out. Know your risk factors for heart disease, and call for emergency help if chest pain is persistent.
