Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Thibodaux, LA
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Find a ProviderWhat is eosinophilic esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a disease of the esophagus characterized by inflammation. Any time white blood cells, called eosinophils, build up in the esophageal lining, the esophagus can swell and cause esophagitis. The buildup of these eosinophils is usually a reaction to acid regurgitation or a reaction to food and allergens. EoE can be a concern for people of any age. However, it is most common in younger, Caucasian males, who make up about 75% of occurrences. At Digestive Health Center, our specialists provide personalized care for this condition. If you are dealing with EoE in Thibodaux, LA, contact one of our locations to request a consultation.
What are some of the causes of EoE?
Due to an increase in allergies and asthma, the percentage of people being diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis has been significantly increasing. A few of the more common causes of EoE include:
- Esophageal damage (esophageal inflammation may cause scarring of the tissue and esophageal narrowing)
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Allergic response (to pollen, food, etc.)
- Dysphagia and impaction (a struggle with swallowing, or having food become stuck in the esophagus)
Some of the risk factors related to being diagnosed with EoE include:
- Family history of EoE
- Geography (individuals living in cold, dry conditions are more likely to be diagnosed)
- Males are more likely to suffer from EoE
- Time of year (people are more likely to be diagnosed with EoE in seasons with higher levels of pollen and other allergens)
- Asthma and allergies
What are some of the symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis?
Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis can differ slightly for children than adults. The most common symptoms in adults can include:
- A cough
- A lack of efficacy in acid reflux medication
- Food becoming impacted in your esophagus during eating
- Upper stomach pain
- Pain in the chest
- Persistent or occasional acid reflux
- Struggle with swallowing (dysphagia)
The primary symptoms in children can include:
- Struggles with eating (children)
- Difficulty feeding (infants)
- Pain in the stomach or abdomen
- Trouble swallowing
- Vomiting
- Impaction (food getting stuck in the esophagus)
- Failure to thrive, weight loss, malnutrition
If you or your child are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, or you take over-the-counter medication for heartburn more often than twice a week, it may be time to be assessed by a skilled Digestive Health Center provider.
How is eosinophilic esophagitis treated?
Available treatments for EoE through one of our Thibodaux, LA locations work to treat the symptoms of the condition. If it is determined that your symptoms are caused by a food allergy, your provider will likely recommend that you remove the trigger food from your diet. Patients are commonly directed to abide by the six-food elimination diet (SFED), excluding shellfish, fish, soy, nuts, eggs, milk, and wheat from their diet for a certain amount of time. Symptoms are monitored closely, and specific foods are slowly reintroduced to the diet to pinpoint which foods are responsible for the response. Certain medications can be prescribed, such as a proton pump inhibitor or topical steroids. If symptoms persist, your provider may try esophageal dilation. Esophageal dilation is a treatment to help stretch your esophagus to create ease when swallowing.
Personalized care for eosinophilic esophagitis
If you or a loved one are living with eosinophilic esophagitis, you can find compassionate care through skilled providers at a Digestive Health Center near you. Our board-certified gastroenterology providers take a patient-focused approach to managing and treating conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis. Our team is dedicated to finding the treatment option that is the best fit for your symptoms. To meet with a provider who is experienced in EoE treatments in Thibodaux, LA, please contact our team today.
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