Eosinophilic esophagitis is esophagus inflammation caused by a high concentration of eosinophils. An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell released during an immune system response to parasites, allergens or other aberrant cells. Most often, the congregation of this type of cell in your esophagus occurs because food triggers an allergic reaction.
Although any food can be the cause of eosinophilic esophagitis, some type of protein is frequently the antigen spark for a reaction. Untreated chronic inflammation brought on by elevated eosinophils can cause tissue damage to your esophagus lining. This in turn may result in a stricture from scarring.
Eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms vary, but generally you may experience some combination of:
- gagging
- dysphagia
- chest pain
- itchy throat
- regurgitation
- throat burning
- abdominal pain
- nausea, vomiting
- food impaction in throat
Some of these symptoms mimic those of acid reflux, but taking an antacid will offer no relief.
Infants can suffer with eosinophilic esophagitis as well. Symptoms to look for involve the refusal to feed, frequent spit ups, back arching signaling pain, weight loss and signs of malnutrition.
Since the underlying cause of eosophilic esophagitis is most often a food, then removal of that food from your diet is one of the primary forms of treatment. Some find their symptoms improve simply by eliminating food proteins and substituting this essential nutrient by drinking an amino-acid based formula instead. However, this is an expensive form of treatment which is not always covered by insurance.
Alternatively, an attempt can be made to try to pinpoint the triggering food via elimination. This treatment method can be accomplished through various restriction combinations. When no particular food is suspected, then start by eliminating the following foods:
- soy
- fish
- milk
- eggs
- beef
- corn
- wheat
- peanuts
- shellfish
- tree nuts
Once symptoms subside, bring each one back into your diet one at a time and notice whether that reintroduced food causes symptoms.
Following an elimination diet may be the only treatment necessary for your eosinophilic esophagitis. Other forms of treatment are taking steroid drugs and using topical corticosteroids to treat inflammation.
There are other health conditions for which eosinophils may concentrate in your esophagus, for instance GERD, drug sensitivity or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s). And it’s common for those with esophageal type food allergy or intolerance to have other allergy related health conditions, e.g. rhinitis, asthma and eczema.