Having trouble swallowing food? This could be Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)!

Have you ever felt a lump in your throat or a pain in your chest while eating? Maybe your little one is very reluctant to eat, and says that it is difficult to eat. We often think that this is a problem with gastritis or boredom. But sometimes the reason behind this can be a condition that we have not heard much about, but which we should be a little concerned about. Today we are talking about one such condition, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, or EoE for short.

Simply put, what is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?

Okay, let's put this simply. We have a tube, like a tube, that carries food from our mouth to our stomach. We call this the esophagus. Simply put, it's our "food pipe." EoE is a rare, allergy-related inflammatory condition that occurs inside this food pipe.

Now look, our bodies have different types of cells that protect us from disease. It's like an army in our bodies. Eosinophils are one type of white blood cell. Normally, these people fight allergies and parasitic infections. But in someone with EoE, there's something wrong. These Eosinophil cells, for no reason, accumulate in large numbers in that food pipe. It's like their own army attacking a part of their own country.

When eosinophil cells accumulate in this way, the inside of the esophagus becomes swollen, red, and begins to be damaged. This is what we call inflammation . This is what causes difficulty swallowing, food getting stuck, and chest pain.

What medications do doctors prescribe to control EoE?

First of all, there is no cure for EoE. But don't worry! There are very effective treatments to control the symptoms, reduce inflammation in the esophagus, and prevent further damage.

Often, along with this medication, your doctor may also tell you to avoid certain foods (such as milk, eggs, and soy) for a while, as some foods can aggravate the condition. When medication and diet are combined, the results are very good.

Let's now look at the main types of medications given for EoE.

1. A little more detail about Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs)

If you've ever taken medication for gastritis, you may be familiar with the name PPIs. Their main function is to control the production of gastric acid in the stomach. Since many EoE patients also have acid reflux (acid reflux), doctors will first try these medications. Sometimes, reducing stomach acid can also reduce inflammation in the esophagus.

How is the treatment done?

Typically, your doctor will prescribe a PPI once a day for about 8 weeks. If your symptoms don't improve after about a month, your doctor may increase the dose to twice a day.

After two months, the doctor will check your symptoms again. Sometimes, they may also do an upper endoscopy .

• What is Upper Endoscopy?

This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a small camera attached through your mouth and examining the inside of your esophagus (food pipe) and stomach. This allows your doctor to see exactly how inflamed your esophagus is and how many eosinophils you have. This test is used to confirm EoE by taking a small sample (biopsy) and examining it.

If your symptoms have significantly improved, your doctor will tell you to continue using the lowest dose of PPI that controls your symptoms.

2. Corticosteroids - a powerful medicine that controls inflammation

If PPIs don't work or if the condition is severe, doctors will next turn to a type of medication called corticosteroids. These work directly to control the inflammation and eosinophil cell buildup in the esophagus. Most patients respond very well to this treatment.

These steroids, rather than being given as pills that affect the entire body, are now given in modern ways that affect only the esophagus. For example:

• Swallowed Inhaled Steroid: An inhaler used for asthma involves spraying a small amount of medication into the mouth, mixing it with saliva and swallowing it instead of breathing it in. This means the medication is then inhaled directly into the throat.
• Orally Disintegrating Tablet: There are also special types of tablets that are designed to be placed on the tongue, dissolved, mixed with saliva, and swallowed.

Because of these methods, the absorption of the medicine to other parts of the body is very low. Therefore, the side effects are also very minimal.

Things you definitely need to remember

Living with EoE can be challenging at times, but with proper management, there is no barrier to living a normal life.

• Talk to your doctor regularly: Talk openly with your doctor about any questions you have, concerns about medications, or changes in symptoms.
• Don't stop taking your medication: Don't stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor, as this can cause your symptoms to return.
• Patience is important: It can take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you, so be patient with your treatment.
• Be careful with your diet: If your doctor tells you to stop eating certain foods, follow those instructions exactly. It's a very important part of treatment.

EoE is not something to be afraid of, but it is a condition that should definitely be managed under medical advice. With the right treatment and lifestyle changes, you can control this condition well and stay healthy.