Medication-Induced Esophagitis
Visual lesson on medication-induced esophagitis — NSAIDs, potassium, bisphosphonates, tetracyclines, and the stay-upright rule.
Key Medical Facts
🦠 Diseases
Medication-Induced Esophagitis
Inflammation of esophageal mucosa caused by pills getting stuck and dissolving locally, causing direct mucosal irritation
The angry red esophagus tunnel with vehicles crashing
🤒 Symptoms
Odynophagia
Painful swallowing — the 'ow!' when you swallow. Classic symptom of esophagitis
Red inflamed tunnel walls causing pain
💊 Drugs
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, naproxen) — fight inflammation elsewhere but cause esophageal burns when stuck
The N.S.A.I.D. fire truck that accidentally starts fires in the tunnel
Potassium Chloride (KCl)
Large caustic tablets that cause local injury when stuck in esophagus
The K-Banana truck spilling its cargo into the tunnel
Bisphosphonates
Osteoporosis medications (alendronate/Fosamax) that cause severe esophageal ulceration when stuck
Bea's-Fosamax Cement Company truck with bones, driven by grandma
Tetracyclines
Antibiotics (especially doxycycline) that cause esophagitis when taken with too little water or before lying down
The Cycline Gang motorcycle riders — Doxy Rider and Tetra-Cycle
💉 Treatments
Stay Upright 30+ Minutes
Key prevention: remain upright after taking pills to allow gravity clearance and prevent prolonged contact
The 'STAY UPRIGHT for at least 30 mins!' warning sign
Take Pills with Full Glass of Water
Prevention strategy: adequate water helps wash pills into stomach, preventing dry swallow injury
The broken water cooler in the 'DRY SWALLOW ZONE'
💡 Memory Aids
Pill Esophagitis Lineup
The 5 classic causes: Bisphosphonates, Tetracyclines, NSAIDs, KCl, Ferrous sulfate
The vehicle parade: cement truck, motorcycles, fire truck, K-truck, rusty iron
Downloadable Assets
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