Learn about EoE, how to spot symptoms and what you can do to treat it
Alex Fulton has been working in the wellness field for more than 20 years. She has written extensively about integrative medicine, herbalism, supplements and other topics related to holistic health.
Alex also focuses on issues related to women's health, from menstruation to menopause. She has collaborated with physicians, midwives and functional medicine practitioners to promote natural approaches to health care for women. She has a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.in the United States are living with eosinophilic esophagitis , a condition that was once considered rare but has gotten more and more common over the last two decades.
EoE is a chronic immune condition that affects the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. EoE happens when a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil builds up in the lining of this tube. The buildup causes chronic inflammation in the esophagus that can lead to symptoms of EoE.
When a person has EoE, their immune system floods the esophagus with white blood cells as a response to triggers such as certain food and environmental allergens, touching the lining of the esophagus. This abnormal response by the immune system is known as Type 2 inflammation. EoE looks different at different ages. Babies and young children may not want to eat and may spit up or vomit more frequently, have stomach pain, have disrupted sleep, and not grow properly.
These symptoms may come and go, flaring up only once in a while, or they may be constant. Even when you don’t have symptoms, you still have EoE because it is a lifelong, chronic condition. EoE can affect anyone at any age, but certain risk factors may make a person more likely to have the disease.
Your chances of having EoE are higher if you have:Because the symptoms of EoE are similar to those caused by other health problems that affect the esophagus, like gastroesophageal reflux disease or a food allergy, it can be tricky to diagnose. , which is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and manages diseases of the digestive system.
They will look at your symptoms and do some tests, which may include:A long, skinny tube with a light and camera are used to view the lining of your esophagus and take samples to view under a microscope. An endoscopy and biopsy are required for an EoE diagnosis. Blood work is done to check for allergens, higher than usual eosinophil counts or other signs of allergic reactions. Note that blood tests alone cannot reliably diagnose EoE or food triggers.
While there is no cure for EoE and it is a lifelong, chronic disease, it can be treated. Gastroenterologists treat and manage EoE.may also be part of your care team. While they cannot diagnose or treat EoE itself, they can help manage conditions that co-exist with EoE, such as food allergies.which are medicines that help reduce inflammation.
EoE is treated using liquid steroids that are swallowed so they come in direct contact with the lining of your esophagus to take down swelling.a procedure that involves using an endoscopy to widen the esophagus to make swallowing easier, but does not treat the underlying inflammation. Dilation is usually used along with medications or dietary changes. Treatments may change over time as your response and/or lifestyle change, so you should re-evaluate your treatment options with your HCP frequently.
Since symptoms alone cannot determine whether you’re responding to treatment, repeated endoscopies and biopsies will be needed to measure your response to treatment and disease activity or progression. Together, you and your HCP can come up with a plan to treat your EoE on an ongoing basis. If you think you may be having EoE symptoms — particularly if you also have allergies, asthma or other conditions that may put you at risk — talk to your HCP.
Catching EoE early helps prevent damage to your esophagus that can happen over time. And the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can start managing your EoE so you feel better.
Alex also focuses on issues related to women's health, from menstruation to menopause. She has collaborated with physicians, midwives and functional medicine practitioners to promote natural approaches to health care for women. She has a BA in English from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Digestive Disorders Chronic Conditions Digestive Health Allergies Eoe
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