How does a private endoscopy for eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) work?
If you’re experiencing symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE), you need an endoscopy. The endoscopy will help your doctor diagnose your condition and recommend the most suitable treatment. Keep reading to learn how a private endoscopy for EoE works.
What is eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic condition. People with EoE experience an increase in eosinophils, leading to inflammation in the oesophagus (food pipe). Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell and are a key part of the immune system. But, a build-up can be painful and lead to trouble swallowing or dysphagia.
We don’t know the exact cause of EoE, but it’s believed to be an immune response to allergens that trigger eosinophil growth and inflammation in the oesophagus.
Potential triggers include food allergens, e.g. milk, wheat, nuts, soya, fish, and eggs.
Risk factors
EoE can affect anyone at any age, but you are more likely to develop it if:
- You’re a white male
- You have a family history of EoE
- You live in a dry or colder climate
- You have other allergic diseases such as hay fever, eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and food allergies
EoE can be confused with other conditions, as there is an overlap in digestive symptoms. Related disorders include acid reflux, GORD/GERD, achalasia, oesophageal strictures and oesophageal cancer.
How is EoE diagnosed?
After a thorough consultation, including a detailed discussion of your symptoms, we recommend an upper endoscopy (gastroscopy) to diagnose EoE.
Watch our animation, created in partnership with the EOS Network, to learn more about a private endoscopy for eosinophilic oesophagitis.
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Preparing for the procedure
If your symptoms worsen while you wait for your endoscopy, contact our specialist. It’s best to have an accurate view of the state of your oesophagus. Though, there may be lifestyle changes you can make to ease your symptoms.
Before the endoscopy, you may need to stop taking certain medications. Our gastroenterologist will advise you on what you should and shouldn’t take and when you’ll need to make these changes.
What questions should I ask?
To better prepare for the procedure, you may want to ask your doctor the following questions.
- Which medications should I stop taking?
- What happens during the endoscopy?
- How will I feel after an endoscopy?
- What are the risks of this procedure?
- What are the signs of a complication?
- How long will it be until I get my results?
- What are the next steps?
The procedure
During an endoscopy, we pass a thin, flexible tube called an endoscope through your mouth and down into your oesophagus. The endoscope is about the same thickness as a finger and has a tiny light and video camera at the end.
We can also pass an instrument down the endoscope to take a small tissue sample (biopsy). If we find a high level of eosinophils along with inflamed oesophageal tissue, you likely have EoE.
Is endoscopy painful?
Endoscopy can be unpleasant, but it shouldn’t be painful. However, we recommend sedation to make you more comfortable. The procedure usually takes around 10 minutes. It takes around an hour for the sedation to wear off before going home.
After the procedure, you may experience minor bloating and a mildly sore throat. Watch this short video to find out more: Is endoscopy painful?
After the procedure
Endoscopy recovery is usually fast. The results will inform our next steps and treatment recommendations. If we find evidence of a narrowing in your food pipe (oesophageal stricture), we may need to perform endoscopic dilatation. Endoscopic dilatation allows you to swallow food easier.
Where can I book an endoscopy?
You can choose to be referred by your GP for NHS treatment or book a private appointment with us.
NHS investigation times for gastroenterology have increased by 35% over the past two years, and waiting lists are getting longer. Opting to be seen privately is one way of avoiding queues.
By becoming a private patient, you’ll receive a faster diagnosis and can start your treatment straight away. Book your initial consultation today.
References
Cristina Targa Ferreira and Helena AS Goldani, Contribution of endoscopy in the management of eosinophilic esophagitis (2016). World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2012; 4(8): 347–355. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423515/
Neha Malhotra and Jeremiah Levine, Eosinophilic esophagitis: an autoimmune esophageal disorder (2014). Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. Dec; 44(11): 335-40. Doi: 10.1016/j.cppeds.2014.10.004.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25499460/
