Eosinophilic Esophagitis in San Antonio, TX
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Find a ProviderWhat is eosinophilic esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the esophagus. If a specific type of white blood cell (called an eosinophil) accumulates in the lining of the esophagus, the esophagus can swell, leading to esophagitis. The buildup of these white blood cells is usually a reaction to acid regurgitation or an allergic reaction to allergens or food. EoE can be suffered by people of any age; however, it is more common in younger, male Caucasians, who account for about 75% of cases. At San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates, our digestive health specialists provide individualized care for EoE. If you are diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis in San Antonio, TX, reach out to a location in your community to request a consultation.
What are the causes of eosinophilic esophagitis?
The number of individuals receiving a diagnosis of EoE has been increasing at a rapid pace, relative to the uptick in asthma and allergies. Some of the more common causes of eosinophilic esophagitis include:
- Damage to the esophagus (inflammation of the esophagus might lead to scarring of the tissue and narrowing of the esophagus)
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Allergic reaction (to pollen, food, etc.)
- Dysphagia and impaction (a struggle with swallowing, or having food become lodged in the esophagus)
Some of the risk factors related to a diagnosis of EoE are:
- Asthma and allergies
- Geography (individuals living in cold, dry conditions have a greater likelihood of being diagnosed)
- Time of year (people are more likely to be diagnosed with EoE during times of increased levels of pollen and other allergens)
- Genetics (if someone in your family has EoE, you are more likely to be diagnosed)
- Males are more likely to suffer from EoE
What are some of the symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis?
The symptoms of EoE for adults and children can differ slightly. The primary symptoms in adults will include:
- Pain in the upper stomach
- Food getting stuck in your esophagus while eating
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- A cough
- Pain in the chest
- Acid reflux
- No response to acid reflux medication
The primary symptoms for children may include:
- Struggles with eating (children)
- Struggles with swallowing
- Stomach and abdominal pain
- Vomiting
- Poor growth, unexplained loss of weight, malnutrition
- Impaction (food getting stuck in the esophagus)
- Difficulty feeding (infants)
If you or a loved one are suffering from any combination of these symptoms, or if you require over-the-counter (OTC) medication for heartburn more often than two times per week, contact us to request a consultation with a San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates gastrointestinal provider as soon as you can.
What are the treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis?
The treatment for EoE in partnership with our San Antonio, TX team mainly focuses on treating the condition's symptoms. If you are experiencing symptoms caused by food allergies your gastroenterologist will most likely recommend that you abstain from consuming triggering foods. People are commonly encouraged to follow the six-food elimination diet (SFED), removing shellfish, fish, soy, nuts, eggs, milk, and wheat from their diet for a specific duration of time. Symptoms are monitored carefully, and certain foods are slowly reintroduced to the diet to identify which foods are to blame for the response. Some medications might be prescribed, for example, topical steroids or a proton pump inhibitor. If symptoms fail to improve, your gastroenterologist could suggest esophageal dilation. Dilation is a procedure to assist in the stretching of the diameter of your esophagus to lessen difficulty when swallowing.
Find personalized care for eosinophilic esophagitis
If you are suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis, you can find expert help and compassionate care from the skilled specialists at a San Antonio Gastroenterology Associates location near you.. Our board-certified gastrointestinal providers employ a patient-focused approach to manage and treat conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis and optimize your health and well-being. To meet with a provider who specializes in EoE treatments in San Antonio, TX please reach out to a location near you today.
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