Resource Center

Learn more about Eosinophilic Esophagitis

If you have difficulty swallowing food, persistent heartburn, or related issues, then you may be suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis (or "EoE" for short). This is a chronic allergic condition of the esophagus (the tube that delivers food from the mouth to the stomach) in which large numbers of white blood cells called eosinophils accumulate and cause inflammation.

CAUSES AND SYMPTOMS OF EOSINOPHILIC ESOPHAGITIS

EoE can be triggered by the ingestion of certain foods or allergens, or can arise as a response to acid reflux disease. It is a reaction of the body's immune system that can be managed, but not outgrown.

The symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis differ according to age. In adults, symptoms often include:

Trouble swallowing food (dysphagia)
Centrally located chest pain
Persistent heartburn
Upper abdominal pain
Food getting stuck in the esophagus after swallowing (known as "impaction")
Backflow of undigested food (regurgitation)

Children who suffer from EoE may present somewhat different symptoms from adults. These may include:

Vomiting
Decreased appetite
Difficulty feeding, in infants
Failure to thrive, as evidenced by slow or poor growth, unintentional weight loss, and malnutrition

TREATMENT OPTIONS

While there is no known cure for EoE, symptoms may be reduced in severity or frequency through certain medications. In addition, lifestyle changes may make a significant difference for sufferers. For example, many medical professionals recommend that EoE patients take the following steps:

Maintain a healthy weight, or invest in a gradual weight-loss strategy in order to relieve pressure on the abdomen
Avoid specific foods and drinks that may trigger heartburn and other symptoms of EoE
At bedtime, elevate the position of the body from the waist up

Of course, in order for treatment to be effective a trained medical professional must first accurately diagnose you with eosinophilic esophagitis. At the Allergy and Asthma Care of Waco, our caring experts can do just that, and then provide different treatment plans for your consideration.

You might also look for

Medications That Can Interfere With Skin Testing Results

Certain medications can interfere with the accuracy of these tests, leading to false-negative results.

Anaphylaxis

Hereditary and Acquired Angioedema

Angioedema is a rare condition that causes swelling beneath the skin. It can be a lifelong hereditary condition, or you may develop it later in life. At AllergyWaco, we are here to help you learn more about possible treatment options to help control the symptoms and frequency of your angioedema attacks to minimize the condition's impact on your life.

Learn more about Allergies and Asthma

Don't Mess with a Texan's Best Friend: Dealing with Pet Allergies

Discover how to manage pet allergies with our comprehensive guide. Learn about symptoms, triggers, and effective pet dander allergy treatment options.

From BBQs to Rodeos: Tips to Combat Texas Grass Allergies

Discover expert tips to tackle Texas grass allergies and enjoy the outdoors! Learn about symptoms, prevention, and treatments for grass allergy rash.

Oak Pollen Alert: 4 Practical Tips for a Sneeze-Free Allergy Season

The spring season brings warmth, blooming flowers, and, for many, the onset of oak pollen. If you find yourself dreading the arrival of spring because of sneezing, itchy, runny nose and other symptoms that come with oak pollen allergies, you're not alone. Millions of people, or 30% of Americans, share your plight.

The Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Intolerances

Being uncomfortable is never a good feeling, regardless of what it's caused by. When you feel that type of unease, your body may feel tired or itchy, or a million other ways. If it's caused by allergies or intolerances, it's something you can pinpoint and avoid as needed. Additionally and fortunately, those uncomfortable feelings are acting as little alerts to let you know that something isn't right.

Environmental Allergies in Children

Many children are excited because the school year is about to start up again and these next few weeks will be their best days of summer. With the free time coming to a close, families are eager to spend time outside, away from computers and other electronics. But for anyone dealing with seasonal environmental allergies, being outdoors can lead to sneezing, asthma attacks, and even rashes.

6 Skin Allergy Conditions and Their Treatments

Allergies come in many different forms, ranging from mild reactions treatable with some quick over-the-counter medications, to others that can be severe and even lethal. While the worst case scenario is scary, there are ways to monitor and prevent potentially life-threatening reactions. Most commonly, you'll be facing much lighter, more treatable allergens. These can often be painful to deal with but won't necessarily result in risking your life.

See all articles

Ready to get started with Allergy & Asthma Care of Waco?

Our primary goal is to improve your quality of life. We find what triggers your allergy and asthma symptoms, provide extensive education on how to control exposure to allergens, and provide you with a holistic approach with treatment options such as medications and immunotherapy (allergy injections).