Kim Kardashian has revealed that she has esophagitis, an inflammation of the esophagus, in the trailer for the upcoming eighth season of The Kardashians.
The new footage shows Kardashian lying in a hospital bed while discussing the condition. The trailer does not disclose when she was diagnosed, what caused it or what treatment she received.
According to the Mayo Clinic, esophagitis involves inflammation or irritation of the tissues lining the esophagus, the muscular passage that carries food and liquid from the mouth to the stomach.
The condition can be associated with acid reflux, infections and allergies and may cause painful or difficult swallowing or chest pain.
The medical disclosure carries additional personal significance for Kardashian because her father, Robert Kardashian, died from esophageal cancer in 2003 at age 59.
He was diagnosed only two months before his death, and Kim has spoken publicly about continuing to miss him.
A Family Connection to Esophageal Health
The Kardashian-Jenner family later became involved in efforts to raise awareness of esophageal health. In 2019, they helped open the UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health in Los Angeles.
Kim said in 2024 that she had referred friends to the center and was proud to hear about their experiences receiving specialized care there.
The trailer also captures other family storylines, including tensions involving Kourtney Kardashian, Kris Jenner’s concerns about her children and Kendall Jenner addressing speculation surrounding her friendship with Cara Delevingne.
When ‘The Kardashians’ Returns
The Kardashians season eight is scheduled to premiere Oct. 8 on Hulu. The trailer provides no further medical details about Kim Kardashian’s esophagitis.
