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How Long Does Esophagus Damage Caused By Smoking Take To Heal?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Jun 2016
Question: How long does it take for the esophagus to heal due to smoke inhalation? I was in a fire in 2004. It still hurts to breathe in the winter, if I'm out to long. It also hurts at other times.
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Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
This is unlikely to be due to smoke inhalation

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Smoke inhalation can cause esophageal irritation but unlikely to persist for so long. If it was serious injury then scarring may be there which can cause these symptoms. From your description I am unable to assess the severity of injury at that time. But probably it was not so severe.

So we should rule out more common causes like reflux esophagitis. An upper GI endoscopy should be able to diagnose it (or any other cause) properly.

Hope this helps.
regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Indranil Ghosh (15 minutes later)
I was in critical care for about a week. The doctor had to put me under, stick a tube down my throat. Told me I would make it or I would not.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Indranil Ghosh (7 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Then it was severe

Detailed Answer:
But the esophageal injury might not have been severe. May be it was more of lung injury, as expected in smoke inhalation.

A chest radiograph and lung function tests should help in assessing current lung condition. If required, some inhalers may be administered.
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Indranil Ghosh

Oncologist

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 1712 Questions

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How Long Does Esophagus Damage Caused By Smoking Take To Heal?

Brief Answer: This is unlikely to be due to smoke inhalation Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for your query. Smoke inhalation can cause esophageal irritation but unlikely to persist for so long. If it was serious injury then scarring may be there which can cause these symptoms. From your description I am unable to assess the severity of injury at that time. But probably it was not so severe. So we should rule out more common causes like reflux esophagitis. An upper GI endoscopy should be able to diagnose it (or any other cause) properly. Hope this helps. regards