Eosinophilic Esophagitis

If you or a loved one has been experiencing persistent swallowing issues, unexplained chest discomfort, or food sensitivities, eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) may be the cause. Rely on our experts to explain what eosinophilic esophagitis is, its symptoms, treatment options, and how we can guide you toward long-term relief.

What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?  

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune system disorder that affects the esophagus, which is the tube connecting your throat to your stomach. EoE occurs when a large number of eosinophils – a type of white blood cell – build up in esophageal tissue (diagnosis is made by endoscopy, and requires 15 eosinophils per high power field on biopsy). The ensuing inflammation can lead to difficulty swallowing, chest pain, and even food getting stuck in the esophagus. Food allergies, environmental allergens, reflux disease or a combination can trigger the condition. Sometimes there is no cause found. While it can affect anyone, it’s most common among children and young adults. If left untreated, eosinophilic esophagitis can damage the esophagus and lead to serious complications.

Signs and Symptoms of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

If any of the eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms below seem familiar, it’s important to seek medical care. Early intervention can prevent long-term problems such as esophageal narrowing or scarring. EoE symptoms vary from person to person, but they often include:

Common Symptoms in Adults 

• Difficulty swallowing 

• Food getting stuck in the esophagus 

• Persistent heartburn or acid reflux that doesn’t respond to medication 

• Chest pain unrelated to a cardiac issue 

• Unexplained weight loss 

Common Symptoms in Children 

• Feeding difficulties or refusal to eat certain foods 

• Poor weight gain or growth 

• Vomiting or recurrent abdominal pain 

Diagnosing Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Diagnosing EoE requires a medical evaluation because its symptoms often overlap with other conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). At Allergy and Asthma Associates of Michigan, we use a combination of the following approaches to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis:

• Medical History and Symptom Evaluation – We’ll start by learning about your symptoms, triggers, and family history of allergies or autoimmune conditions.

  
  

• Endoscopy and Biopsy – Our specialists can perform an upper endoscopy to examine your esophagus. During this procedure, we may also take small tissue samples to check for eosinophils under a microscope.

  
  

• Allergy Testing – Because EoE is often associated with food allergies, we’ll conduct skin or blood allergy tests to identify potential triggers.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Treatment

The good news is there are several effective ways to manage and treat eosinophilic esophagitis. Your personal plan will depend on the severity of your symptoms and any underlying triggers. It may include one or more of the following prescription treatments:

• Dupixent – Dupilumab is an injectable biologic that reduces inflammation by blocking key immune signals which is approved by the FDA

  
  

• Eohilia – This FDA-approved oral corticosteroid should ease swallowing and lower esophageal inflammation.

  
  

• Empiric food elimination, including milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, soy, wheat, seafood

  
  

• Acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors

  
  

• Treatment of your environmental allergies- which includes nasal corticosteroid (Flonase) and/or nasal antihistamines (Astelin) 

How Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan Can Help You

The Allergy & Asthma Associates of Michigan staff understands how challenging living with EoE can be. That’s why we offer a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to eosinophilic esophagitis treatment in Livonia/Farmington Hills, Sterling Heights/Troy, and Royal Oak, MI. Here’s what you can expect at our welcoming clinics:

• Expert Evaluation – Our specialists are experienced in diagnosing EoE and understanding its relationship with allergies.

  
  

• Personalized Treatment Plans – We tailor treatments to fit our patients’ needs.

  
  

• Ongoing Support – Living with EoE doesn’t have to be isolating. We’ll guide you through the entire process.