What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis, or EoE, is a chronic disease that can be associated with food allergies. It is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adults. EoE is characterized by immune cells called eosinophils building up in the esophagus.
Symptoms of EoE include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain after eating. A person may also have symptoms that resemble acid reflux from the stomach, known as heartburn. In older children and adults, EoE can cause more severe symptoms, such as difficulty swallowing solid food, or solid food getting stuck in the esophagus and requiring removal by a physician. In infants, this disease may be associated with failure to thrive.
NIAID-funded researchers have found several genes associated with the development of EoE and have evaluated treatment with swallowed anti-inflammatory drugs called corticosteroids. A person diagnosed with EoE is usually tested for food allergies. Oftentimes, those that have both food allergy and EoE can avoid EoE symptoms by avoiding their allergen. NIAID currently funds studies investigating the effectiveness of food avoidance diets and other, experimental approaches to controlling EoE.
Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)