Does your child really hate eating? Does he complain about his throat getting stuck when he swallows food? Does he often complain about stomach aches? It's normal for you, as a parent, to feel very worried when you see things like this. Sometimes the doctor will give you a new name for this - Eosinophilic Esophagitis , or `(EoE)` for short. Don't be scared when you hear this name. Although it's a bit complicated, if we understand it correctly, we can help our child. Let's talk about this simply.
Simply put, what is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?
To be precise, this is an allergy-like condition that occurs in our esophagus , that is, the food pipe. There is a type of white blood cell in our body called `( Eosinophils )` that fights diseases . Although these cells usually help us, the body of a child with `( EoE)` mistakenly perceives certain foods as an "enemy". Then, a large number of those `( Eosinophils )` cells come and gather in the esophagus, causing swelling and inflammation there.
This is why things like this happen to the child:
- Difficulty swallowing food.
- Feeling like your throat is choking when eating.
- Having a chest pain.
- Vomiting .
- Stomach ache .
- Loss of appetite and weight loss .
Not only are these physical discomforts painful, but this also has a big impact on the child's mind. When watching their friends eat delicious food at a party or at school, and wondering why they can't be the only ones eating it, the child can feel lonely, isolated, and very sad .
Your first step as a parent: First, educate yourself.
Before you explain this to your child, it is essential that you are fully aware of the situation. If you have a good understanding of this, you will be able to understand your child's feelings and answer his questions simply.
| What you should do | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| Go to the doctor every time you see him. | This will help you to directly listen to the questions on your mind and understand the treatment plan exactly. |
| Learn exactly what medications are being given to your child. | You need to know how the medicine works, whether it has side effects, and how it should be given. |
| Find out the latest information about this condition. | As medical science advances, new treatments may emerge. It's important to be aware of them. But, only consult reliable sources. |
You should always talk about this with your child.
This is not a topic that can be covered once and for all. The way you talk to your child should change with their age and understanding. The most important thing is to listen patiently and lovingly to the questions your child asks.
How do you explain this to a small child?
Many young children think that they are getting sick because of something they did wrong. You need to explain that this is not the case.
"Mom, did I do something bad to make me feel this way?" Your child may be thinking the same thing. So first make him understand that this is not his fault.
I can give you a simple example:
"Son/daughter, when your body sees certain foods, it thinks, 'Oh, this is dangerous.' Then the 'soldiers' in your body start fighting with those foods. That's when your throat and stomach hurt. So we need to find out what the 'red light' foods are that your body is fighting with. Then we can avoid them, right?"
How do you tell a child who is 10-12 years old?
Children this age can understand things even if they are a little scientific. You can teach them about `(Eosinophils)` in a simple way.
"We have a type of 'soldier' cell in our body, called `(Eosinophils)'. Normally, these people fight off illness. But in your body, when they see certain foods, these soldiers get excited and come to the esophagus and start a useless fight. That's why the esophagus swells and hurts. So the doctor is trying to figure out what food makes these soldiers so excited."
How to give responsibility to a young child
As the child gets older, he or she should be given responsibility for managing his or her own situation.
- Talk about this at least once a year: This will help you find out how much your child understands about this and what misconceptions they have.
- Help him make decisions about his food: Teach him to think, "Will eating this make me feel bad?"
- Encourage him to talk directly to the doctor: With your help, get him used to asking the doctor about his symptoms and questions. This will build his self-confidence.
How to stop a child from feeling lonely?
This is perhaps the hardest thing. We must try our best to keep the child happy and not marginalized from society.
Remember, EoE is not just about controlling food. It's also about the child's emotions.
| Opportunity / Problem | What you can do |
|---|---|
| Parties and celebrations | Talk to the organizers before you go and see if they can prepare something your child can eat. Or, bring some 'safe' food from home that your child likes. Help your child focus on the games and fun that are there rather than the food. |
| School | Tell the class teacher and the child's closest friends about the situation simply. Say something simple like, "He is allergic to certain foods." Then they can also understand and help the child. |
| At home | Try to make the meals that the whole family eats in a way that the child can eat. Instead of making a separate meal just for him, find delicious, 'safe' meals that everyone can eat . Involve the child in this. Then he will feel responsible for this too. |
This journey is not easy. But with your love, understanding, and patience, your child can live successfully and happily with this condition (EoE). You are not alone, and your doctor is always there to help you.
Take-Home Message
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) is not a disease caused by the child's fault. It is an allergic condition that occurs in the esophagus.
- Before helping your child, as a parent, you should be well informed about this. Don't be afraid to ask the doctor questions.
- Explain this to your child in a simple, loving way that is appropriate for their age and understanding.
- Don't let your child feel lonely or isolated. Kindly inform the school, friends, and relatives about this.
- If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your child's doctor, rather than relying solely on information on the internet.
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