Two common symptoms of eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) are problems swallowing (dysphagia) and food becoming stuck in the oesophagus, which we sometimes refer to as our food pipe or gullet.
Keep reading as we describe what EoE is, its symptoms, diagnostic testing, causes, and the risk factors for EoE.
If you are suffering the symptoms of EoE, book an appointment with one of our gastroenterologists.
What is eosinophilic oesophagitis?
Eosinophilic oesophagitis is a chronic condition of the oesophagus.
EoE causes inflammation in your oesophagus due to an increase in eosinophils – a type of white blood cell.
Eosinophils are part of the immune system, and they help regulate immunity and fight infections. However, eosinophil build-up can be painful and lead to trouble swallowing.
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.
Warning signs and symptoms
EoE symptoms can vary, and they may differ from children to adults.
If you are experiencing no symptoms of EoE but a specialist has seen similar endoscopic findings, you may have asymptomatic EoE.
Symptoms include:
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Choking
- Getting food stuck in your throat after swallowing (impaction)
- Bringing food back up (regurgitation)
- Severe reflux that does not improve with medication
- Chest pain and discomfort
- Nausea and vomiting in children
- Unintended weight loss
- Poor growth in children
You may have found ways to adapt to EoE already that help you manage your symptoms.
Signs of self-management include:
- Excessive chewing
- Slow to eat
- Avoiding hard foods – you may prefer softer/ wetter foods
- Avoiding trigger foods – you may find you react more to certain foods
- Drinking a lot while eating
Diagnosis
Before we do any tests, we will have a thorough consultation with you to discuss your symptoms. This is necessary as the symptoms of EoE can be similar to those of other conditions.
Then, we use endoscopy to diagnose EoE. During an endoscopy, we feed a small tube through your mouth and into your oesophagus to examine it more closely and take a biopsy (tissue sample).
If we find a high level of eosinophils, along with dysphagia, it suggests to us that you have EoE.
Watch our short video to learn more about how we diagnose and treat eosinophilic oesophagitis.
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Causes
We don’t know the exact cause of EoE.
Researchers believe certain allergens cause an immune response. These allergens trigger eosinophil growth and inflammation in the oesophagus, leading to EoE.
Potential triggers include:
- Food allergens, such as milk, wheat, nuts, soya, fish, and eggs
- Environmental allergens, such as dust, mites, pollen, and moulds
- Chemicals added to crops and hormones given to livestock
- Air pollution
Risk factors
EoE can affect anyone at any age. However, some factors may increase your risk of developing EoE.
People who are more likely to develop EoE:
- Are male
- Are white
- Have a family history of EoE
- Live in a dry or colder climate
- Have other allergic diseases such as hay fever, eczema, allergic rhinitis, asthma and food allergies
A diagnosis is likely around the age of 8 in childhood and around 20-40 in adulthood.
Book an appointment
If you are experiencing eosinophilic oesophagitis symptoms and warning signs, speak to our gastroenterologist.
We will discuss your symptoms, perform tests, and recommend treatment options to ease your symptoms.
Prioritise your digestive health and book an appointment today. Alternatively, you can call us at +442074594918.
For a breakdown of our fees, visit our Fees page.
