Many conditions, lifestyle choices, medicines, and diseases interfere with your ability to heal or fight infection. You may be at risk for a more serious problem from your symptoms if you have any of the following. Be sure to tell your doctor.

Conditions

• Being older than 50
• History of a problem with your esophagus, such as:
  • Enlarged veins in the esophagus (esophageal varices)
  • Barrett's esophagus
  • Narrowing of the esophagus (esophageal stricture)
  • Abnormal passage of foods through the esophagus into the stomach (motility disorders)
  • Esophageal tear (Mallory-Weiss syndrome)
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
  • Hiatal hernia
  • Peptic ulcer disease, especially if it is caused by an infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria
• A problem or condition that has been present since birth (congenital defect)

Lifestyle choices

• Alcohol abuse or withdrawal
• Being overweight
• Drug abuse or withdrawal
• Smoking or other tobacco use

Medicines

• Antianxiety medicines, such as diazepam (for example, Valium) or lorazepam (for example, Ativan)
• Antibiotics, such as tetracycline
• Anticholinergics, such as dicyclomine hydrochloride (for example, Antispas) or glycopyrrolate (for example, Robinul)
• Antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton
• Heart medicines, such as propranolol (for example, Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), diltiazem (for example, Cardizem), digoxin (for example, Lanoxin), or nifedipine (for example, Procardia)
• Bisphosphonates, such as alendronate (Fosamax)
• Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
• Narcotics, such as Demerol
• Nitrates, such as isosorbide dinitrate or nitroglycerin
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen
• Potassium or iron supplements
• Radiation therapy
• Steroids, such as prednisone
• Theophylline medicines for asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Vitamin C

Diseases

• Bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia or idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Malnutrition or an eating disorder such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson's disease
• Sickle cell disease
• Stroke