Esophageal Candidiasis

Esophageal Candidiasis – General Information

This medical condition can easily affect people of all ages from all over the world. The disorder is actually an infection of the patient’s esophagus (the natural connector between the stomach and the mouth). The infection is known to be triggered by an abnormal overgrowth of a fungus that is naturally found in the patient’s vagina, the gastro-intestinal tract, the mouth and also on the patient’s skin. The fungus is called Candida. This micro organism is known to be an important part of natural “flora” of bacteria and / or fungi that is sheltered by our organism. If the number of fungus is between the normal levels, the presence of Candida does not cause any type of medical condition or clinical symptom. However, if the fungus becomes overgrown, severe medical disorders might occur.

The disorder commonly known as Esophageal Candidiasis is actually an AIDS-defining medical condition. Like most other disorders that scientists have associated with the Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (or Acquired immune deficiency syndrome), this type of candidiasis has luckily become quite rare, as various types of therapies and of treatment options have been discovered (due to the increased concern for sufferers of AIDS). Therefore, this medical condition can be easily dealt with, with the help of a therapy that employs drug cocktails (antiretroviral therapy).  

This medical condition (Esophageal Candidiasis) is generally triggered by a certain type of this fungus, called Candida albicans. However, some clinical cases who presented this form of candidiasis which had not been caused by the albicans species have been reported. Such medical cases are rare, but also very severe, as the fungus could prove an increased resistance to the average first-line therapies.

Esophageal Candidiasis – Symptoms

As we have stated in the previous chapter, Esophageal Candidiasis is a medical condition that affects the patient’s esophagus. Like most other medical issues that involve damage to this organ, a patient who suffers from this disorder will probably develop increased difficulty swallowing, chest pain (that is generally localized behind the patient’s breastbone), symptoms of cold (for example a sore throat), and so on. Most individuals who were suffering from this type of candidiasis usually presented oral thrush. In such cases, a detailed oral medical examination is needed. Patients who have been diagnosed with this medical condition (Esophageal Candidiasis) have also presented: feeling that food tends to stick behind your stern), pain that accompanies swallowing, nausea and / or vomiting, weight loss, changes in your regular appetite, and so on. However, all patients ought to be aware of the fact that fever is not a symptom of this medical issue. If you present fever, you might be suffering from another type of illness. We strongly advise you to seek professional help at once. Go to the nearest emergency room or set up an appointment with your personal health care provider as soon as possible. All patients must keep in mind that in this chapter, we have tried to familiarize you with the most common symptoms that a patient with this medical disorder will complain of. However, we were only able to provide you with some basic information. Therefore, if you want to know further details regarding this medical condition and the symptoms that it could potentially trigger, we advise you to see professional guidance at your physician’s office.

Esophageal Candidiasis – Treatment

The proper therapy option that should be able to keep your medical condition under control and should allow you to get rid of the fungal infection as soon as possible should be acquired from your personal health care provider’s office. This is why, if you present any of the symptoms that have been mentioned above, or if you suspect (for any reason) that you are suffering from this medical condition (or from other types of illnesses), we advise you to seek professional medical attention as soon as you can.

When you undergo a medical check-up, the physician will want to determine the exact cause of your symptoms. This requires several medical exams of great importance. If your personal physician has determined that you are suffering from Esophageal Candidiasis, you will have to start a strict prophylaxis in order to effectively treat your medical condition. Patients who have this form of candidiasis are generally prescribed a treatment with Fluconazole. The initial dose of this medical product is 200 mg per day. After your symptoms and your disease have improved, you will have to lower your dose of this medicine. From this moment, you will have to take in 100 mg of Fluconazole per day for 2 weeks (14 days).Another therapy option involves the intake of Itraconazole. The most popular form of this medicine is the oral suspension. The average dose of this medication includes the intake of 200 mg of medicine per day, for 2 weeks.

Other alternative therapy options for patients who suffer from Esophageal Candidiasis are less effective. They include the intake of Ketoconazole capsules (for 2 weeks, in doses of 200 mg per day) and of Itraconazole pills (for 2 weeks, in doses of 200 mg per day). If a patient presents the refractory form of Esophageal Candidiasis (if the severity of his or her medical condition has not improved at all after at least one or two weeks of intense therapy with any of the azole antifungal medications that we have listed above), new therapy options ought to be taken into consideration. The main risk factors that make a patient more prone to developing the refractory form of Esophageal Candidiasis are a chronic, prolonged therapy with antifungal medications and the patient’s CD4 counts (especially if they are lower than <50 cells/µL). In similar clinical cases, it is of great importance for the physician to confirm one again the diagnosis of this medical condition. This means that the patient will have to undergo the same set of medical tests. The main therapy options for patients who suffer from the refractory form of the Esophageal Candidiasis include higher doses of azole antifungal medications (double or even triple doses of these medicines) or the intake of other forms of medical products: Caspofungin, Amphotericin, and so on.