Candida Esophagitis
Candida esophagitis is a yeast infection of
the esophagus, caused by the same culprit that causes vaginal
yeast infection and oral thrush.
Symptoms of Candida Esophagitis
The symptoms of candida esophagitis are:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain during swallowing
- The feeling of food stuck in the throat
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
Diagnosis
Your doctor will look for the following signs of candida infection:
- Oral thrush
A yeast infection of the throat.
- Candida plaques
White, cheesy patches in the esophagus
The following are tests that your doctor may conduct:
- Visual examination of the mouth and throat
- Endoscopy to visually inspect the esophagus
- Biopsy of the esophageal lining.
Cause of Candida Esophagitis
Candida esophagitis is an opportunistic infection caused by the
yeast Candida. It is called an opportunistic infection
because it develops only when the body’s immune system is
weakened by other diseases, such as:
- AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome)
- Immune system disorder
- Cancer
- Chemotherapy to treat the cancer
- Malnutrition
- Diabetes
- Drugs or alcohol abuse
Treatments for Candida Esophagitis
The treatments for candida esophagitis are:
- Antifungal medications, such as nystatin
and clotrimazole in pills or liquid forms.
- Intravenous antifungal medications, such
as amphotericin B
Unless the underlying conditions are treated, however, the candida
infection may recur.
