Esophageal diseases

Esophageal disease
Head and neck. Esophagus at bottom.

Esophageal diseases can derive from congenital conditions, or they can be acquired later in life.

Many people experience a burning sensation in their chest occasionally, caused by stomach acids refluxing into the esophagus, normally called heartburn. Extended exposure to heartburn may erode the lining of the esophagus, leading potentially to Barrett's esophagus which is associated an increased risk of adenocarcinoma most commonly found in the distal one-third of the esophagus.

Some people also experience a sensation known as globus esophagus, where it feels as if a ball is lodged in the lower part of the esophagus.

The following are additional diseases and conditions that affect the esophagus:

• Achalasia
  
• Chagas disease
• Caustic injury to the esophagus
• Esophageal atresia and Tracheoesophageal fistula
• Esophageal cancer
• Esophageal web
• Esophagitis
• GERD
• Hiatus hernia
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome
• Neurogenic dysphagia
• Schatzki's ring
• Zenker's Diverticulum
• Boerhaave syndrome
• Esophageal dysphagia