Reality television star and business mogul Kim Kardashian has revealed a frightening health scare that reportedly resulted in her being hospitalized after she was diagnosed with esophagitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the esophagus.

The emotional revelation appears in the newly released trailer for Season 8 of The Kardashians, where the 45-year-old is seen in a hospital gown while discussing the diagnosis.

“I have something called esophagitis,” Kardashian says in the footage before an off-camera voice raises the painful connection to her late father, Robert Kardashian Sr.

Robert Kardashian died in 2003 at age 59 after battling esophageal cancer, making Kim’s latest health issue particularly emotional for the Kardashian family. Her mother, Kris Jenner, is also shown becoming visibly emotional while discussing the situation.

However, medical experts distinguish esophagitis from esophageal cancer. Esophagitis involves inflammation and irritation of the tissues lining the esophagus and can have several causes, including acid reflux. The trailer has not indicated that Kim has cancer or revealed how severe her condition is.

The health scare adds another deeply personal chapter to Kim’s life, as she has previously spoken publicly about how losing her father affected her and her siblings.

The Kardashian family has also helped support awareness and treatment of esophageal conditions. In 2019, the UCLA Robert G. Kardashian Center for Esophageal Health was established in honor of their late father.

Kim’s hospital scenes are expected to be explored further when the new season of The Kardashians premieres on Hulu on October 8, 2026.