Our Services / Eosinophilic Esophagitis

What is eosinophilic esophagitis?

Eosinophilic esophagitis or EoE is a chronic allergic condition that affects the esophagus, causing inflammation and dysfunction. The esophagus is part of your digestive system, serving as a passageway for food from your mouth to your stomach. 

Eosinophilic esophagitis is an immune system reaction to an allergen that triggers an overproduction of white blood cells called eosinophils. These eosinophils build up along the lining of the esophagus, causing inflammation that affects the motility of the esophagus and the movement of food. 

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a newly recognized disease and rare. However, people with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may have EoE. 

What are the symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis?

Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis vary. Common symptoms include:

• Heartburn
• Chest pain
• Difficulty swallowing
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Food getting stuck in the throat

People with eosinophilic esophagitis may try GERD medications and get no relief from their symptoms.

If you have ongoing heartburn that fails to improve with antacid medication, schedule a consultation at Gateway Gastroenterology.

What happens during an eosinophilic esophagitis evaluation?

Gateway Gastroenterology takes a patient-centered approach to care. You can expect a comprehensive evaluation when you come in with symptoms that sound like eosinophilic esophagitis.

Your gastroenterologist asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and family history. They perform a physical exam and run blood tests to check for other conditions that might explain your symptoms.

The gastroenterologist does an upper endoscopy to confirm an EoE diagnosis. During this procedure, they evaluate your esophagus, looking for white spots, rings, or a narrowing of the esophagus, which are signs of EoE. 

They also take a tissue sample and send it to a lab for analysis. If you have EoE, your gastroenterologist also runs allergy tests to find the allergen causing the reaction. 

What are the treatment options for eosinophilic esophagitis?

Treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis focuses on symptom management. Your gastroenterologist may prescribe a steroid to reduce inflammation and an acid suppressor to limit further irritation to the esophagus. 

Gateway Gastroenterology may also recommend diet changes, such as an elimination diet or an elemental diet. These diet changes help find the allergen causing the immune system reaction and give the esophagus the time it needs to heal.

To find out more about eosinophilic esophagitis, call Gateway Gastroenterology or request an appointment online today.