Monthly Archives: November 2020

What You Need to Know About Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis or EoE is a condition that causes the esophagus to swell. The esophagus is a tube-like internal part of the body that transports food that you eat into the stomach. EoE causes discomfort or even pain and difficulty in swallowing the food you eat due to the inflammation.

you can also be triggered by mold, pollen, or food allergens. Although, there is no exact proof and research about these claims. Nonetheless, it would be a good idea to consult an allergy physician for proper diagnosis and treatment.

What you need to know about you

Eosinophilic esophagitis or EoE is a long-term disease that affects the immune system. It involves the eosinophil, a type of white blood cell, which builds up in the esophageal lining. Often, this buildup is caused by food allergens. The said buildup leads to the inflammation of the esophageal tissue, making swallowing difficult and even painful.

If you experience this, do not delay as it can be potentially life-threatening. Visit an allergy clinic and have yourself treated by a trusted allergist doctor. EoE is considered one of the major causes of gastrointestinal illnesses. Common symptoms of EoE include the following:

  • Dysphagia (Difficulty in swallowing)
  • Chest pain
  • Regurgitation
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Delayed growth and weight loss (in children)

This means eosinophilic esophagitis can be contracted by both children and adults. Men are more at risk of having this condition than women. Likewise, those who have family members who also suffer from allergies are also at risk of having EoE.

EoE in children vs. adults

As mentioned, eosinophilic esophagitis can occur both in children and adults. However, those who have a history of food allergies, eczema, and asthma are at higher risk of having EoE. Unfortunately, this condition might be challenging to detect as symptoms can differ depending on age and are often mistaken for other health issues.

For example, infants and toddlers suffering suspected of having EoE would not eat due to difficulty in swallowing. Some kids would also experience abdominal pain, vomiting, and growth delays in the worst cases. EoE patients point out certain food triggers that are causing the condition.

In adults, one of the most common symptoms of EoE is what is called dysphagia. It occurs when the food you eat gets stuck in the esophagus. Patients would have to chew their food carefully and drink lots of water to push the food down their stomach. If you or your child suffer from (or suspecting of having) EoE, it would be a better idea to consult an allergy physician near you.

Is not considered a food allergy?

Technically, it can be considered as one. When you take a certain food that is suspected of causing an allergic reaction, the condition usually subsides and makes the person feel better. But when the person starts eating that offending food again, the allergic reaction might come back.

Also, EoE does not involve IgE antibodies which makes it a little tricky to detect what the offending food is. That said, allergy experts suggest undergoing allergy testing to determine if there are any IgE-mediated allergies such as mold, pollen, or animal dander allergies.

How to treat EoE

Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure for you. However, this condition is generally manageable by proper diet, medication, or both. For one thing, there is no existing treatment for you.

However, allergy experts prescribe corticosteroids or glucocorticosteroids for the patients. Steroids can help provide relief from inflammation and lessen eosinophil activity. On the downside, steroids can only deal with the symptoms and can have potential side effects such as acne and weight gain.

Another way to treat EoE is by adjusting your diet. You can visit an allergy clinic in Manassas VA to determine the specific food item that is causing the adverse reaction. The “Six-food Elimination Diet” refers to a diet that eliminates the most common allergenic foods such as eggs, nuts, soy, milk, wheat, and seafood. From here, doctors and patients will know which among these allergens the culprit is and come up with proper treatment.

The patient can also try the “elemental diet” which is getting rid of all regular drinks and foods from your usual meal plan. And then replacing it with various vitamins, minerals, and amino acids for about a month or so. Once there is an improvement in the esophagus, foods can be reintroduced slowly to determine the culprit that is causing the EoE symptoms.

Food Allergy vs. Food Intolerance: What’s The Difference?

Food and drinks are meant to be enjoyed and to be sources of nourishment and better health. Unfortunately, some people are not able to enjoy certain foods due to health reasons. For example, some people may be advised by their doctors to avoid fatty or salty foods. Others have to avoid dairy products or peanuts due to potential allergic reactions.

Speaking of allergic reactions, you should visit an allergy doctor if you experience symptoms after eating a certain food item. Some of these symptoms may only be mild, while others can be potentially life-threatening. If you suffer from common allergy symptoms, you should go to an allergy clinic immediately for proper treatment.

Often interchanged

There are many types of allergies, one of the most common is food allergies. Food allergies cause adverse reactions when a person consumes a food item that turns out to be the cause of the said allergic reaction. However, there are also instances wherein people mistake food intolerance as allergies.

Food allergies and food intolerance are often mistakenly interchanged but are actually two different things. So, how would you know if what you have is a food allergy or food intolerance? First of all, you should consult a trusted allergist doctor to confirm it. Other than that, you should understand the difference between the two.

All about food allergy

Like any other allergies, a food allergy causes an adverse reaction on the immune system and cause those familiar symptoms including:

  • Itchy skin/hives/skin rashes
  • Runny nose, sneezing, wheezing
  • Stomach pain, diarrhea
  • Vomiting, nausea
  • Swelling around the mouth, throat, or tongue
  • Difficulty in breathing

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease reports that more than 30 million Americans suffer from some kind of allergies – both adults and children. Some children eventually outgrow their allergies, while others bring it along with them into adulthood.

Several food items often cause food allergies such as peanuts, eggs, dairy, soy, tree nuts, wheat, and fish. Food allergies can be life-threatening and can hit different parts of the body including the skin, cardiovascular, respiratory, and gastrointestinal systems. If you have allergies, make sure to visit an allergist for immediate treatment.

All about food intolerance

As mentioned, food allergies are often confused with food intolerance, which is two different things. Although, food intolerance can also cause discomfort and other symptoms similar to food allergies. However, there might be little to none reaction if you eat in small amounts. You can also opt for lactose-free milk or have Lactaid in hand just in case.

You can also consult an allergy physician if you are not sure if it’s an allergy or a food tolerance. Food intolerance occurs because of the following:

  • Being sensitive to certain food ingredients
  • Lack of an enzyme that is crucial to digest food properly
  • Stress/anxiety or any psychological issues that affect your eating
  • Celiac disease

Lactose intolerance is the most common and well-known type of food intolerance. The ingredient lactose is a type of sugar commonly found in dairy products. Some cannot tolerate food additives. The digestive system is the one affected by food intolerance and causes discomfort in your tummy area.

How to differentiate food allergies and intolerance

Both food allergies and intolerance can cause discomfort to those who have it. If you are not sure which of the two you have, you can visit a trusted allergist specialist to confirm your condition. Nevertheless, you should understand the difference between the two.

If you have a food intolerance, your digestive system is the one affected. Whereas, the immune system is often the one affected when someone is experiencing a food allergy. Food intolerance usually is tolerable with mild to moderate discomfort. However, food allergies can be potentially life-threatening if left untreated.

You usually feel the effects of a food intolerance a few hours after you have eaten the offending food. On the other hand, a food allergy symptom usually manifests itself within an hour. If that happens, be prepared to call the nearest emergency room or an allergy clinic in Manassas in case the symptoms worsen.

We need to eat to nourish our bodies and ensure a healthier body and mind. However, we still have to be careful with what we eat and make sure we only eat what’s best for our body and overall health.

Bronchiecstasis: Not Your Ordinary Respiratory Illness

Bronchiectasis is a chronic health condition wherein the airway walls become enlarged. It causes the build-up of mucous and makes your lungs prone to infection. The most common effects of bronchiectasis are shortness of breath and coughing with phlegm. Symptoms are usually worse if there is a lung infection.

What you need to know about bronchiectasis

For one, this condition makes your lung’s bronchial tubes are damaged permanently. A damaged airway causes mucous build-up and accumulation in your lungs. As a result, coughing up mucous and even blood is a normal occurrence for someone who has this respiratory condition.

It is also said that bronchiectasis is a complication of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). This condition refers to those who have allergic reactions to aspergillus, a type of fungi found in various environments around the world. If you have this condition, it would be best to visit an allergy clinic for proper treatment.

When someone with ABPA comes into contact with fungal spores, it can cause allergic reactions and can eventually lead to bronchiectasis. Unfortunately, there is no permanent cure yet for bronchiectasis but can be manageable. It can also not affect your daily life with help of proper treatment. You can also go to an allergy doctor as needed.

What causes bronchiectasis?

A lung injury is often the cause of this condition, either due to cystic fibrosis (CF) bronchiectasis or non-CF bronchiectasis. The former is a chronic condition that causes excessive mucous production. Cystic fibrosis usually affects the liver, pancreas, and other organs that can weaken their functions.

On the other hand, non-CF bronchiectasis is not related to CF whatsoever. Non-CF bronchiectasis can also lead to other health conditions such as:

  • Lung infections (ex. tuberculosis, whopping cough, etc.)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Allergic aspergillosis
  • HIV

As mentioned, bronchiectasis can also lead to an allergic reaction which can be potentially life-threatening.  In such a case, you should consult a trusted allergist doctor to help you manage your condition.

Symptoms of bronchiectasis

It is said that around 110,000 people in the US suffer from bronchiectasis. Those who have this condition are also diagnosed with asthma, CF, and immunodeficiency diseases. For those with asthma, make sure to go to an asthma doctor for proper asthma treatments.

Older people and women are more at risk of having bronchiectasis, although it can also occur in men and at any age. Bronchiectasis occurs due to mucous build-up that causes inflammation to the lungs. Tiny hairs in the airways, called the cilia, are mostly damaged which makes it difficult for the mucous to get out of the body.

Among common symptoms of bronchiectasis include the following:

  • Coughing a large amount of blood and mucous
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Chest pain
  • Wheezing
  • Fatigue
  • Fever and chills
  • Weight loss
  • Clubbing (the abnormal change of fingernail and toenail structure)
  • Being more prone to respiratory infections

If you experience at least one of these symptoms, go to the nearest allergy specialist doctor or any professional medical personnel for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Treating bronchiectasis

As mentioned, there is no permanent cure for this condition. However, certain treatments can lessen inflammation and infections due to bronchiectasis.

For one, those who have this condition would have to take macrolides. It is a type of antibiotic to ease inflammation and treat the bacteria in the airways. Taking mucolytics is also effective in mucus thinning.

Oxygen therapy is also prescribed for those who have this condition to improve their breathing and their quality of life. In the worst cases, you would have to undergo surgery to get rid of any airway blockage. Also, make sure to stay hydrated to help clear out the mucous.

Best to avoid smoking and being near polluted air and other toxic chemicals in the air to maintain healthy lungs. Ensure to have you and your children regular vaccinations against measles, flu, and whooping cough to lessen the risk of contracting bronchiectasis later in life.

Prevention is the key to ensure one’s quality of life. However, bronchiectasis has no permanent cure although some treatments can lessen the impact of its symptoms. Since it can also be triggered by allergies, best to lessen or avoid contact with fungi and other similar allergens.

Speaking of allergies, you should visit a trusted allergist specialist doctor in Manassas VA for proper allergy treatments.