Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is typically a food allergy condition that causes uncomfortable symptoms. This chronic disease involves inflammation of the esophagus, but it can usually be managed with the right diet or medication.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is a condition that is mainly caused by an allergic reaction to food triggers or environmental allergies. It causes a reaction in which the esophagus becomes inflamed due to a build-up of a specific type of white blood cells called eosinophils.
The main symptoms of EoE in children and adults can vary, but often include:
The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. In EoE, the high number of eosinophils cause inflammation in the esophagus. Over time, this chronic inflammation can lead to stiffness and narrowing of the esophagus, which makes it hard to swallow food. This is why many patients with EoE experience the sensation of food getting stuck.
EoE more commonly occurs in males and can be diagnosed at any age. While the exact cause of EoE is not fully understood, a key risk factor is having other allergic conditions, such as food allergies, asthma, eczema (atopic dermatitis), or environmental allergies. A family history of EoE may also play a role.
Not as common as other food allergies, EoE affects about 5-6 people of every 10,000 people in the US. However, as awareness of EoE increases, this prevalence could change.
EoE can easily be mistaken for Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) because both have similar signs and symptoms. However, they are not the same and here is why.
EoE is caused by lingering eosinophils in the tissues of the esophagus. EoE is considered a chronic disease and typically lasts into adulthood. While medications like proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may be tried, they are often less effective for EoE than for GERD. An accurate diagnosis, dietary management and/or medication will help keep it under control and alleviate the symptoms.
GERD* is identified by persistent reflux, which can also cause inflammation of the esophagus. Unlike EoE, once GERD symptoms are properly managed, any eosinophils that may be present typically go away.
*Neocate is not indicated for the management of GERD. It is indicated for the management of GER due to cow milk allergy.
Currently, there is no cure for EoE; however, there are a number of ways to manage the condition and reduce inflammation.
A change of diet may help in managing symptoms and histology in people with EoE and decrease risk of further damage to the esophagus. Dietary management using an elimination diet or elemental diet and food reintroduction under medical supervision, can help to identify the specific foods that trigger EoE, so as to eliminate them from the patient’s diet.
The dietary management of EoE could include:
To get a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, you must see a specialist, usually a gastroenterologist. They will perform an upper endoscopy to view your esophagus and take small tissue samples (biopsies); if a high number of eosinophils are found, the diagnosis of EoE is confirmed.
Treatment options your healthcare provider may discuss include dietary therapy, medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or topical corticosteroids, and, in some cases, biologic treatments like dupilumab. As part of this plan, your healthcare professional may also discuss specialized nutritional options from Nutricia to help support nutritional needs when appropriate.
Contact a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis.
Neocate® is a family of hypoallergenic, amino acid-based specialized formulas for use under medical supervision and is indicated for cow milk allergy, multiple food allergies and related GI and allergic conditions. Talk to your healthcare provider about product recommendations.
Neocate Nutra is suitable for use in children and infants older than 6 months of age (not suitable as sole source of nutrition). Neocate Nutra is not intended for bottle or tube feeding.
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Remington was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) at the age of 3. All foods were removed from his diet when he was 4, and he has been using Neocate® Splash ever since. There are still no safe foods for him, but his nutrition doesn’t stop him from leading a normal adult life.**
*A patient’s story from the US
**Individual results may vary.
