Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a medical condition that induces an allergic reaction in the esophagus, which is the tube responsible for carrying food from the throat to the stomach. When a person is exposed to a trigger or allergen like pollen or food, the esophagus produces white blood cells, which are known as eosinophils. Additionally, the esophagus acts as if it is reacting to an infection.
As a consequence of the chemicals released by the eosinophils, the esophagus swells up and becomes inflamed. This causes the transportation of liquids and food from the mouth to the esophagus. In severe conditions, the movement can get blocked as well. This further leads to various health-related issues like belly pain, vomiting, and trouble swallowing.
Dealing with eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms and be hard and bring certain challenges to one’s life. However, it can be managed efficiently with the help of healthcare professionals. Some of the challenges that are mainly faced by individuals with eosinophilic esophagitis are:
The Symptoms Can be Very Confusing
Getting an eosinophilic esophagitis diagnosis can be quite tricky in the first place. One thing that confuses many regarding eosinophilic esophagitis is that its symptoms tend to be familiar with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is also known as heartburn – and acid reflux. Both of these health conditions cause the same kind of symptoms like vomiting, chest pain, and trouble swallowing, but their causes are different.
Moreover, people with acid reflux, like the ones with eosinophilic esophagitis¸ also happen to have a high count of eosinophils in the esophagus. Hence, it gets even harder to differentiate between the two conditions. The doctor will need to test for reflux along with other conditions that can possibly trigger eosinophilic esophagitis. Then it will be determined if the person needs eosinophilic esophagitis treatment or not.
In addition to that, eosinophilic esophagitis also shares one important symptom with heart attack, which is chest pain. Hence, if you are experiencing chest pain, you will need to see a doctor immediately. You will also have to look for other symptoms like arm pain and shortness of breath.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis Makes It Hard to Eat
Since eosinophilic esophagitis gives rise to symptoms including trouble swallowing, chest pain, vomiting, and belly pain, eating can become very hard and uncomfortable. Food that you eat can come back up in the throat.
Since it gets hard to swallow food, some children with eosinophilic esophagitis start eating very little or would not eat anything at all. As a result, it gets hard for them to get the required nutrition, which also significantly impacts their development and growth.
When eosinophilic esophagitis becomes severe, the esophagus gets extremely narrowed down, which makes food get stuck inside it. This condition is known as food impaction and immediate medical help should be sought in case it happens.
Given that, people with eosinophilic esophagitis have to follow an eosinophilic esophagitis diet so that the chances of dealing with such a situation can be eliminated, which also helps with the symptoms.
