Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptoms

• Tweet
• Pin It

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) is a recurrent clinicopathologic condition wherein inflammation in the esophageal wall caused due to allergy triggers bothersome upper gastrointestional symptoms.

Esophagus is the tubular structure connecting and carrying food from the throat to the stomach.

In Eosinophilic Esophagitis, the esophageal epithelium or wall is diagnosed with having an influx of eosinophils (a form of WBC or white blood corpuscles), i.e., more than fifteen to twenty, which actively encourage inflammation.

The existence of elevated numbers of eosinophils in the esophagus compromises its capability of stretching as well as accommodating amounts of food eaten.

This condition can occur in any age group though adult and youngster males have been found to be prevalently affected.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis Symptoms

Eosinophilic Esophagitis symptoms differ on the basis of age of the sufferer. Illustrated herewith are the various Eosinophilic Esophagitis symptoms experienced by patients.

Dysphagia

Dysphagia is described as experiencing pain and difficulty when one tries to swallow solids and thus taking greater amount of time as well as efforts for moving liquids/foods from the mouth to the stomach.

In particular, the solid food gets lodged in the esophagus subsequent to being swallowed. Toddlers might experience painful sensations when trying to swallow (also termed medically as odynophagia) as well as difficulty while they swallow foods.

Acid Indigestion and Pain in Chest, Abdomen

Acid indigestion or heartburn is a discomforting burning feeling occurring in mid areas of the chest as well as abdominal regions and generally below the sternum. Pains are experienced in the chest and feels akin to a burning inferno. An accompanying sour taste along with the feeling of the food’s re-entry into the mouth is also experienced.

Chest pain and acid indigestion are less commonly experienced symptoms among Eosinophilic Esophagitis sufferers. Children ailing from Eosinophilic Esophagitis also complain of pains in the upper abdomen (also known as epigastric pain).

Recurrent Post-meal Nausea and/or Vomiting

A sensation of wanting to empty the stomach contents that may or may not be followed by a violent partial or complete ejection of stomach contents orally is commonly noticed in infants suffering from Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Failure to Thrive (FTT)

Children with Eosinophilic Esophagitis have a decelerated physical growth which is notably lesser in comparison to their peers. They also suffer from considerable weight loss for age, incessant coughing and slackened weight gain.

Food Impaction

Due to Eosinophilic Esophagitis solids (especially meat products) aren’t able to smoothly pass through the esophagus and when they get stuck, it triggers a discomforting feeling in the chest. In case the solid food manages to pass into the stomach then this sensation allays and the individual can start consuming food.

However, if that doesn’t occur then regurgitation of food via self-induced vomiting becomes necessary. In rare cases, food impaction occurs wherein the solid cannot be expelled through regurgitation or fails in passing into the stomach.

This is causal to pain in the chest area which could replicate a heart attack. Due to the food becoming impacted the person repeatedly spits up saliva as it can’t be ingested due to esophageal obstruction.

In such case neither any drinking nor eating is possible and removal of the food via a bendable endoscope under medical supervision is the sole way out.

Photo Credit: Allergypartners.com/wnc/Lists/Conditions/Profile.aspx?ID=12