How do you test for eosinophilic esophagitis?
Tests to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis include:
- Upper endoscopy. Your doctor will use a long narrow tube (endoscope) containing a light and tiny camera and insert it through your mouth down the esophagus.
- Biopsy.
- Blood tests.
- Esophageal sponge.
What does EoE look like on endoscopy?
Eosinophilic esophagitis is rising in incidence. Patients usually present with dysphagia and food impaction. Typical endoscopic features for eosinophilic esophagitis are circular rings, linear furrows, whitish papules, and plaques.
Are eosinophils high in eosinophilic esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophil infiltration into the esophageal mucosa, with a peak count of at least 15 eosinophils per hpf following endoscopic biopsy. However, the range of esophageal eosinophilia can vary markedly from patient to patient.
What happens if EoE goes untreated?
EoE is not life threatening; however, if left untreated it may cause permanent damage to the esophagus. Many patients with EoE also experience gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a chronic digestive disorder that is caused by the abnormal flow of gastric acid from the stomach into the esophagus.
Does eosinophilic esophagitis go away?
There is no cure for EoE. Treatments can manage your symptoms and prevent further damage. The two main types of treatments are medicines and diet. Steroids, which can help control inflammation.
What triggers eosinophilic esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis is caused by the presence of a large number of eosinophils in the esophagus. The production and accumulation of eosinophils may be caused by many factors such as immune hypersensitivity responses to particular foods or environmental proteins (allergens) in some affected individuals.
