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May 22, 2026 is World Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) Day.
More than 470,000 people in the United States live with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), a condition that was once considered rare but has become increasingly common over the past two decades.
Knowing what EoE is can be helpful in determining whether it affects you.
What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?
EoE is a chronic (long-term) immune disorder that affects the esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. EoE occurs when a type of white blood cell called eosinophils builds up in the lining of this duct. This buildup causes chronic inflammation (swelling) in the esophagus, which can cause EoE symptoms.
What is the cause of EoE?
When a person suffers from EoE, their immune system floods the esophagus with white blood cells in response to triggers such as certain foods and environmental allergens that come into contact with the esophageal lining. This abnormal immune system response is called type 2 inflammation.
Allergens such as pollen, mold, dust and animal dander can trigger EoE. But immune reactions to food are the main cause of EoE.
Foods that can trigger EoE include:
- dairy products
- Peanuts and dried fruits
- Wheat
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs
- soy
Note: Not all people with EoE react to the same foods, and tests cannot reliably predict which foods trigger EoE.
What are the symptoms of EoE?
EoE is different at different ages. Babies and toddlers may not want to eat and may spit or vomit more often, have stomach pain, have trouble sleeping, and may not develop properly.
In older children and adults, the main symptoms of EoE are:
- Difficulty swallowing
- Food stuck in the throat after swallowing (impact)
- acid
- Chest pain
- Stomach pain
- Foods that come up after swallowing (belching)
These symptoms may be intermittent, occur from time to time, or be constant. Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you could have EoE because it is a chronic, lifelong condition.
Lee: When my son Eo was diagnosed, our family’s world turned upside down >>
Who is affected by EoE?
EoE can affect people of all ages, but certain risk factors can increase a person’s chances of having the disorder. Your chances of getting EoE are higher if you:
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies (pollen, dust, animal hair, etc.)
- Asma
- Rhinoconjunctivitis (seasonal allergic rhinitis)
- Eczema or other skin conditions that cause itchy, inflamed areas
- Family history of EoE or other allergic diseases
How is EoE diagnosed?
Because the symptoms of EoE are similar to other medical problems that affect the esophagus, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or food allergies, diagnosis can be difficult.
If your healthcare provider (HCP) thinks you may have EoE, they will refer you to a gastroenterologist (GI doctor), who is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and manages disorders of the digestive system. He or she will assess your symptoms and run some tests, including:
- Upper endoscopy and biopsy: A long, thin tube (endoscope) with a light and camera is used to look at the lining of your esophagus and take samples to look at under a microscope. Endoscopy and biopsy are required to diagnose EoE.
- Blood sample: Blood tests are done to look for allergens, unusually high levels of eosinophils, and other signs of allergic reactions. Keep in mind that single blood tests cannot reliably diagnose EoE or identify dietary triggers.
- Esophageal sponge: You can use a small sponge attached to a string to take samples from your esophagus without having to do an endoscopy.
How is EoE treated?
Although EoE is a chronic, lifelong condition with no cure, it can be treated. Gastroenterologists treat and control EoE. Allergists could also be part of your medical team. Although they cannot diagnose or treat EoE themselves, they can help treat disorders associated with EoE, such as: B. food allergies can help.
The best treatment for you depends on your specific medical situation. Some therapeutic options for EoE are:
- Diet change B. reducing consumption of certain foods that could trigger EoE.
- proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), These are medications that reduce the amount of acid your stomach produces.
- corticosteroids, These are medications that are useful in relieving inflammation. EoE is treated with liquid corticosteroids, which are swallowed so that they come into direct contact with the lining of your esophagus to reduce inflammation.
- Biopharmaceuticals (monoclonal antibodies), A type of treatment that specifically targets specific cells or proteins associated with inflammation, reducing it and making swallowing easier.
- expansion of the esophagus, A procedure that uses an endoscope to dilate the esophagus to make swallowing easier, but does not treat the underlying inflammation. Dilation is usually used in conjunction with medication or dietary changes.
Treatments may change over time as your reaction or lifestyle changes. You should therefore regularly discuss your treatment options with your doctor. Because symptoms alone cannot determine whether treatment is working, repeated endoscopies and biopsies are necessary to assess treatment and the activity or progression of this disease. You and your doctor can determine a plan for ongoing treatment of your EoE.
Enjoy your life to the fullest with EEo
If you think you may have symptoms of EoE, especially if you also have allergies, asthma, or other conditions that increase your risk, talk to your doctor. Detecting EoE early is helpful in preventing injuries to your esophagus that can occur over time. And the sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner you can start treating your EoE so you can feel better.
This educational resource was created with support from Regeneron, Sanofi and Takeda.
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