Candida Esophagitis
[Home] [Knowledge for Everyone]
Candida esophagitis is a yeast infection in the esophagus, caused by the same troublesome fungus that produces oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections. A classic "opportunistic" infection (so named because it tends to develop when the body's defenses are already weakened by illness), it is almost always a complication of another disease-most commonly, infection with HIV, the immune system-compromising virus that causes AIDS.
A diagnosis of Candida esophagitis does not mean that you have HIV, or that you are going to develop AIDS. Cancer (and chemotherapy to treat it), poorly controlled diabetes, inadequate nutrition, a chronic illness, and even drug or alcohol abuse can also hamper the body's immune system and allow Candida esophagitis to develop. Some people are prone to recurrent Candida infections.
· Difficulty, mild discomfort or severe pain during swallowing
· A feeling that food gets stuck on its way down after you swallow
· Nausea
· Loss of appetite.
Oral thrush, a yeast infection that may be visible in an examination of your throat; or the telltale white, cheesy patches of Candida plaques (splotches of yeast infection in your esophagus), visible during endoscopy; positive results of a biopsy of the cells lining your esophagus.
Be sure to give your doctor a detailed medical history. Often, when the history suggests that Candida esophagitis is a likely possibility, doctors prefer to take the less invasive approach by treating with antifungal medications for a week to 10 days, and performing endoscopy only if the symptoms persist.
The goal is to kill the fungus, and the drugs that do this are called "antifungal" agents. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, you may receive treatment orally-in the form of a pill, if you are able to swallow it, or a medicated, "nonabsorbable" wafer (which, like a cough drop, stays in the mouth until it dissolves)-or intravenously (which may require hospitalization). The mainstay of treatment is oral nystatin in wafer form, taken four times a day; clotrimazole (Mycelex) is also used in this manner. Drugs in pill form include ketoconazole and fluconazole. Intravenous antifungal agents include amphotericin B.
If you have trouble or pain on swallowing that lasts more than a day or two, call your physician. The risks in waiting are becoming dehydrated and malnourished, and-equally serious-of developing a systemic (spread throughout the body) infection.
This depends on the underlying condition. If, for example, Candida
esophagitis is caused by poorly regulated diabetes, it will likely improve
as the diabetes is brought under control. If it's the result of a temporary
breach in the immune system-by chemotherapy to treat cancer, perhaps-here again,
as the body's defenses grow stronger, the infection's foothold should diminish.
If, however, the fungal infection results from HIV, Candida
esophagitis may be a recurrent-although treatable-problem.
The information contained herein has been devised without reference
to cultural, dietary, societal, language, prescribing or dispensing conditions
(including those imposed by law), other than those of the United States, which
might affect the information provided. Information is for your personal use only
and may not be sold or redistributed.
© Copyright 1996-1999 The Johns Hopkins University. All rights reserved. Source: Inteli-Health Inc.. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to InteliHealth's disclaimer and terms and conditions.