Peptic Esophagitis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits
Peptic Esophagitis and Receiving Social Security Disability Benefits Heartburn is a common difficulty for people in the United States. It is also a common problem in the rest of the Western world. Somewhere around 7% of the population have heartburn on a daily basis. Probably 20 to 40% of the people who experience heartburn on a daily basis have peptic esophagitis. Most people know about acid reflux, heartburn and indigestion. However, if you have heard of peptic esophagitis, it is probably because you have been diagnosed with this condition. If so, you know that peptic esophagitis can be a serious problem. Peptic esophagitis is a condition in which the liquid content of your stomach regurgitates (backs up or refluxes) into your esophagus. This liquid can inflame and damage the lining of your esophagus. Fortunately, this only occurs in a minority of people. This regurgitated liquid usually contains acid and pepsin that are made by your stomach. Pepsin is an enzyme that starts the digestion of proteins in your stomach. The regurgitated liquid may also contain bile that has backed-up (refluxed) into your stomach from your duodenum. (The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine that attaches to your stomach.) Acid is thought to be the most harmful component of the refluxed liquid. Bile and pepsin also may injure your esophagus, but their part in the production of esophageal damage and inflammation (esophagitis) is not as clear as the role that acid plays. Doctors think that there are multiple causes of peptic esophagitis. Different things may cause this condition in different people. There are a small number of people who make unusually large amounts of acid, but this has not been found to be a contributing factor in the majority of people with peptic esophagitis. Doctors believe that there are several factors that may result in the development of peptic esophagitis. Some of these are:- Emptying your stomach
- Your lower esophageal sphincter
- Hiatal hernias
- Esophageal contractions
- A feeling of choking that may awaken you from sleep
- A dry cough
- The feeling of burping acid into your mouth
- Bad breath
- The frequent sour taste of acid, especially when you are lying down
- The feeling that food is stuck in your throat
- Trouble swallowing
- A raw, sore throat or hoarse voice.
