Esophagitis (Amlapitta)

विरुद्धदुष्टाम्लविदाहिपित्तप्रकोपिपानान्नभुजोविदग्धम्।
पित्तंस्वहेतूपचितंपुरायत्तदम्लपित्तंप्रवदन्तिसन्तः॥

Esophagitis (Amlapitta) - Causes, Symptoms and Ayurvedic Treatment

Esophagitis in children is the inflammation of the squamous esophageal epithelium. It may result from various causes, including acid and nonacid gastroesophageal reflux (GER), food allergies, dysmotility due to various causes, infections, trauma, and iatrogenic causes. In the pediatric population, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), infection, eosinophilic esophagitis, and corrosive ingestions account for most cases.

In Ayurveda, Esophagitis can be correlated to Amlapitta which is one of the commonest vyadhi (disease) of annavahasrotas (Gastrointestinal tract disorder), caused by vitiated agni (Appetite).

Dr. Gupta’s IAFA has a separate pediatric wing with a dedicated facility for comprehensive management of diseases, disorders, and other medical conditions in children.

Causes of Esophagitis

A backflow of acid fluid from the stomach to the esophagus (GERD)
Vomiting
Medications such as aspirin and anti-inflammatories
Viruses, fungi, bacteria, or diseases that weaken the immune system

Read: EoE – Eosinophilic Esohagitis, Causes, Symptoms, Diet, Do’s, Don’ts, Yoga, Ayurvedic Treatment: Complete Ayurveda Details

Ayurvedic Reference of Esophagitis (Amlapitta)

Symptoms of Esophagitis

The following are the most common symptoms for ulcerative esophagitis. However, symptoms differ in each children. They include,

Epigastric and / or substernal burning pain, especially when lying down or straining; and can make swallowing difficult (dysphagia)
Regurgitation
Heart burn
Pain while swallowing food
Water brash

Nausea
Chest pain
Belching
Head ache

“Dr. Gupta’s IAFA offers fruitful Ayurvedic Management for Esophagitis. Institute of Applied Food Allergy® is committed towards providing the outstanding service for all the health problems of your children through Ayurveda”.

If you are looking for your child’s better health, Think about Dr. Gupta’s IAFA!!!

-Dr. Sahil Gupta (B.A.M.S., M.H.A.)

Ayurvedic Allergy Specialist

CEO & Founder of IAFAⓇ

Diet in Esophagitis

Do’s (Pathya) in Esophagitis

Take meals in a relaxed atmosphere at regular intervals.
Do exercise regularly.
Instead of taking three big meals, take 4-6 smaller portions
Raise the head end of your bed or sleep on extra pillows so that head is higher than your feet

Don’ts (Apathya) in Esophagitis

Avoid tea, coffee, and carbonated or alcoholic beverages
Avoid processed and fermented foods, curd
Avoid using garlic, ginger, onions, tomatoes, and vinegar in cooking
Avoid rich gravies, sour, salty, and spicy foods
Avoid physical activities just after eating
Avoid mental stress & worries

Yoga Therapy for Esophagitis

Specific Asanas (Yoga), Pranayama, meditation, deep relaxation techniques, help to arrest the progression of the disease.

Postures include,

Vajrasana,
Bhujangasana
Salabhasana

Pranayama include,

Bhastrika
Shitali
Shitkari

Ayurvedic Treatment for Esophagitis

Line of treatment

Avoid causative factors
Palliative treatment – As the disease is of Pitta origin, all measures are undertaken to pacify pitta.

Panchakarma treatment – When a patient cannot be well managed with oral medications ‘Panchakarma procedures’ like Vamana (emesis) or virechana (purgation) whichever is needed should be administered. In chronic cases, Asthapanavasti (medicated enema) is indicated.

Internal Medicines for Esophagitis

Narikela Lavan
Dashang Kwath
Bhoonimbadi kwatha
Patoladi Kwatha
Gulucyadi Kashaya
Amalakyadi Churna
Avipattikar Churna
Amalaki Rasayan
Shatavari Ghrit

Aahar Amrutham Bindu
Pitpapra Swaras
Yashti Ghrit
Sukumaara Ghritam
Shishu Laxoherb
Dadimadi Ghrita
Sutashekhar Rasa
Prawal Pishti
Prawal Panchamrit
Shankh Bhasma

Purificatory Therapies for Esophagitis

Vamana (Emesis)
Virechana (Purgation)

Asthapanavasti (Medicated Enema)

Single Herbs Used in Esophagitis

Ardraka ( Zingiber officinale) ( After proper assessment of dosha)
Vacha ( Acorus calamus) and
Musta ( Cyperus rotundus)
Parpata ( Fumaria indica)
Yashtimadhu ( Glycyrrhiza Glabra)
Sauf ( Foeniculum Vulgare)
Anjeer ( Ficus Carica)

Shrifal ( Aegle marmelos)
Bhumi Amla ( Phyllanthus niruri)
Dadima ( Punica Granatum)
Sariva ( Hemidesmus Indicus)
Amalaki ( Phyllanthus emblica)
Hrivera ( Valeriana wallichii)

Article Written By: Dr. Sahil Gupta, Ayurvedic Allergist

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What is Esophagitis?

Answer: Esophagitis is a diffuse non-specific inflammatory disease of unknown origin that continuously affects the colonic mucosa starts from the rectum and often forms erosion and or/ ulcers.

Question: What are the causes of Esophagitis?

Answer: Common causes of Esophagitis include acid reflux, side effects of certain medications, and bacterial or viral infections.

Question: What is the Ayurvedic treatment for Esophagitis?

Answer: Aim of treatment is to minimize symptoms and remissions, to avoid complications and complete cure without recurrence. So Ayurvedic management in the form of diet (Ahara) which improves digestive fire, drugs (Chikitsa – Shamana and Shodhana], exercise (Vihara) and change in lifestyle can be adopted.