Overview
Eosinophilic esophagitis (e-o-sin-o-FILL-ik uh-sof-uh-JIE-tis) is a chronic immune system disease. With this disease, a type of white blood cell, called an eosinophil, builds up in the lining of the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. This tube is also called the esophagus. This buildup, which is a reaction to foods, allergens or acid reflux, can inflame or injure the esophageal tissue. Damaged esophageal tissue can lead to difficulty swallowing or cause food to get stuck when you swallow.
Eosinophilic esophagitis has been identified only since the early ’90s, but is now considered a major cause of digestive system illness. Research is ongoing and will likely lead to revisions in the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.
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Symptoms
Signs and symptoms include:
Adults:
- Difficulty swallowing, also called dysphagia
- Food getting stuck in the esophagus after swallowing, also known as impaction
- Chest pain that is often centrally located and does not respond to antacids
- Backflow of undigested food, known as regurgitation
Children:
- Difficulty feeding, in infants
- Difficulty eating, in children
- Vomiting
- Abdominal pain
- Difficulty swallowing, also called dysphagia
- Food getting stuck in the esophagus after swallowing, also known as impaction
- No response to GERD medication
- Failure to thrive, including poor growth, malnutrition and weight loss
When to see a doctor
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, especially if you also have shortness of breath or jaw or arm pain. These may be symptoms of a heart attack.
Make an appointment with your health care provider if you experience severe or frequent eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms. If you take nonprescription medicines for heartburn more than twice a week, see your health care provider.
