What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic condition that occurs when you have an allergic reaction in your esophagus, which connects your mouth to your stomach. White blood cells called “eosinophils” accumulate in the esophagus, causing inflammation. This can lead to scarring, irritation, and injury to these delicate tissues, causing uncomfortable symptoms like difficulty swallowing and pain.
Eosinophilic esophagitis can be diagnosed at any age. It is a lifelong condition that currently has no cure, but it can be managed with treatment and lifestyle changes.
Causes
Eosinophilic esophagitis is caused by an allergic reaction in the lining of your esophagus. The most common triggers are foods such as dairy, eggs, nuts, seafood, soy, and wheat, but it is also possible that allergens in the environment, such as pollen can cause symptoms.
Risk factors that make you more likely to develop this condition include:
- Being male
- Having a family member with eosinophilic esophagitis
- Having pre-existing allergies, asthma, eczema, atopic dermatitis, or chronic respiratory disease
- Living in a cold or dry climate
Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing. A buildup of scar tissue can cause the esophagus to narrow or tighten, making it harder to swallow foods or liquids you previously had no trouble with.
- Heartburn, chest pain, or abdominal pain. Inflammation can irritate or even tear the lining of the esophagus, leading to a heartburn-like feeling that doesn’t respond to antacids.
- Food getting stuck in the throat. With scarring or narrowing of the esophagus, food may have trouble passing through the esophagus and get stuck, a condition called impaction that requires immediate medical attention.
- Vomiting. Inflammation in the esophagus and food getting stuck can lead to vomiting.
Diagnosis
To confirm a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, an upper endoscopy is performed. An endoscopy is a thin tube with a camera that passes through the mouth. The patient is asleep during the procedure, so they do not feel any pain or discomfort. Through the endoscopy, biopsies -- or small samples -- of the esophagus can be taken to evaluate for the condition.
When to Seek a Specialist
See a doctor if your eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms have not been treated, if you’ve noticed that swallowing is becoming more difficult, or if you’re experiencing unplanned weight loss. Seek emergency medical care or call 911 if you have food stuck in your throat, have trouble breathing, or experience chest pain.
Why Temple Health for Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
Temple’s Esophageal Disorders Program treats a variety of eating and swallowing problems, including eosinophilic esophagitis. This team of specialists includes gastroenterologists and thoracic surgeons who will work with you to develop a treatment plan for your specific needs.
In addition to medication management, these specialists also offer advanced procedures and are leaders in minimally invasive treatments that can help you heal and feel better faster.
Patients also come to Temple to treat side effects from previous surgeries, including esophageal scarring.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis Treatment Options
Our Esophageal Disorders Program has the expertise and capabilities to diagnose and treat your eosinophilic esophagitis, managing your symptoms to reduce your discomfort and avoid complications.
Treatments may include:
- Food group elimination — Your provider may work with you to identify the allergens that are triggering your eosinophilic esophagitis so you can avoid them. This process can involve food group elimination, avoiding certain foods and reintroducing them under the guidance of your doctor, who will test for signs of inflammation.
- Medication — You may be prescribed medication to treat your symptoms or manage inflammation, including proton pump inhibitors (PPI) which block acid and improve inflammation; topical corticosteroids, which protect the esophagus to heal inflammation; or a monoclonal antibody, which blocks inflammation.
- Dilation — If scar tissue leads to severe narrowing, your provider may recommend dilating (stretching) the esophagus through an endoscopy.
- Endoscopy — If food gets stuck in your throat, a gastroenterologist may use an endoscope to remove it safely.
- Lifestyle changes — Your care team may recommend lifestyle changes, such as avoiding foods that trigger heartburn or difficulty swallowing, sleeping with your head elevated, and maintaining a healthy weight, to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms.
Ready for an Appointment?
If you're experiencing signs or symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.