Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus characterized by an increased number of eosinophils. This condition can cause significant swallowing difficulties an...
📋Understanding Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus characterized by an increased number of eosinophils. This condition can cause significant swallowing difficulties and may be triggered by food allergies or environmental factors.
Symptoms
EoE symptoms can vary by age and may include difficulty swallowing, food impaction, and chest pain. Symptoms often worsen over time if left untreated.
- •Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- •Food getting stuck in the esophagus
- •Chest pain or discomfort
- •Heartburn that doesn't respond to acid blockers
- •Nausea and vomiting
- •Abdominal pain
- •Poor appetite and weight loss
- •Failure to thrive in children
- •Regurgitation of undigested food
Symptoms may be intermittent and can be triggered by specific foods. The condition can affect people of all ages, from infants to adults, with different symptom patterns.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of EoE requires endoscopy with biopsy to confirm the presence of eosinophils in the esophagus and rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
- •Upper endoscopy with esophageal biopsies
- •Histological examination for eosinophil count
- •Allergy testing for food and environmental triggers
- •pH monitoring to rule out acid reflux
- •Esophageal manometry for motility assessment
- •Barium swallow studies
- •Blood tests for eosinophil count
- •Evaluation of response to acid suppression
Our comprehensive diagnostic approach helps confirm the diagnosis, identify potential triggers, and develop an effective treatment plan.
Treatment
Treatment for EoE involves a combination of dietary modifications, medications, and in some cases, endoscopic procedures to manage symptoms and reduce inflammation.
- •Elimination diets (six-food elimination diet)
- •Topical corticosteroids (swallowed)
- •Proton pump inhibitors
- •Elemental diet for severe cases
- •Endoscopic dilation for strictures
- •Biologic therapies for refractory cases
- •Allergen immunotherapy for identified triggers
- •Regular monitoring and follow-up
Treatment plans are personalized based on symptom severity, identified triggers, and individual response to different therapies.
Prevention
Preventing EoE flares involves avoiding identified food triggers, maintaining treatment compliance, and regular monitoring to detect early signs of inflammation.
- •Strict adherence to elimination diets
- •Regular follow-up with gastroenterologist and allergist
- •Monitoring for new food sensitivities
- •Maintaining treatment compliance
- •Avoiding known environmental triggers
- •Regular endoscopic monitoring
- •Education about the condition
- •Support groups and resources
Prevention strategies are most effective when implemented consistently and tailored to your specific triggers and treatment response.
Frequently Asked Questions
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