Have you ever heard of esophageal allergy, let's get to know the most important information about esophageal allergy in this article.
Esophageal Allergy: Your Comprehensive Guide
In the following we look at all aspects of allergic esophageal disease, or what is known as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE):
Esophageal sensitivity
Esophageal allergy is a chronic allergic and immune condition that affects the esophagus. It is caused by the accumulation of large numbers of white blood cells called eosinophils in the inner lining of the esophagus.
These cells can secrete substances into the surrounding tissues that cause inflammation, and chronic inflammation leads to symptoms.
Symptoms of esophageal sensitivity
The symptoms of esophageal sensitivity differ in adults compared to the symptoms in children, which are as follows:
1. Symptoms in adults
Symptoms may include:
Difficulty swallowing.
Food reflux.
Food gets stuck in the esophagus when swallowed.
Severe acid reflux or heartburn that doesn't respond to medication.
Chest pain when eating.
Chewing for longer and the need to drink more water with solid foods.
2. Symptoms in children
Among these symptoms are the following:
Eat slowly.
Food sticking to the esophagus.
Choking or vomiting from food.
The ingested food is returned to the mouth.
Abdominal pain.
Causes of esophageal allergy
The allergens that cause esophageal allergy are not known precisely yet, but it is believed that they are an allergic reaction of the immune system to foods or materials in the surrounding environment, such as: dust mites, animal dander, pollen, and molds.
Certain genes may also contribute to an esophageal allergy.
Factors that increase the risk of developing esophageal allergy
Risk factors may include:
1. Suffering from a food allergy
Food allergy, especially to dairy products, eggs, soybeans and wheat is the most important risk factor, but you do not know how to affect it yet? How do some foods stimulate the transmission of white blood cells into the esophagus? Or why does it happen to some people and not to others?
2. Suffering from other types of allergies
About 70% of people with esophageal allergy also suffer from environmental allergies, asthma, eczema, atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis.
3. Gender and age
It was thought that esophageal allergy was one of the diseases of children, but it is now common in adults as well, and it is about 3 times more common in men than women, and they are usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 40 years.
4. Family history
The genetic factor definitely has a role as the chances of being diagnosed with the disease increase if a family member is affected as well.
5. The climate
Cold or dry areas increase the chances of developing esophageal allergy, which may also worsen in the spring, summer, and fall.
Diagnosis of esophageal allergy
Doctors suspect esophageal allergy in people who have other allergic disorders, or difficulty swallowing solid foods, and the diagnosis is also suspected in people who have GERD symptoms that don't go away with standard treatment.
The doctor may resort to the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:
1. Endoscopy and biopsy
Where the doctor performs an endoscopy of the esophagus using a flexible tube called an endoscope, and during an endoscopy, the doctor takes tissue samples for analysis under a microscope and this is known as a biopsy.
2. Barium examination
Sometimes a doctor may perform a barium exam, as people give barium in a liquid form before an X-ray.
Barium helps reveal the boundaries of the esophagus, making abnormalities easier to see.
3. Allergy test
A doctor may also run food allergy tests to identify potential triggers, but they are of little use.
4. A blood test
Blood tests may help detect an eosinophil cell count or total immunoglobulin E level that is higher than normal, indicating the presence of an allergy.
Treatment of esophageal allergy
Esophageal sensitivity is not curable, as the goal of treatment is to control symptoms and prevent further damage.
Treatment options include:
1. Medicines
Which includes the following:
Steroids
Steroids may help control inflammation.
It is usually topical as a spray or liquid, but a doctor may sometimes prescribe oral steroids to treat people who have severe problems swallowing or losing weight.
Acid inhibitors
These medications, which include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), may help treat symptoms of reflux and reduce inflammation.
2. Dietary changes
It is the following:
Food exclusion: to stop consuming certain foods and drinks for several weeks.
The Elements Diet: With this diet, you stop eating all protein, and replace it with drinking a formula containing amino acids.
3. Surgical intervention
If the previous treatment options do not work with a narrowing of the esophagus, a surgical procedure may be used to widen the esophagus, making it easier to swallow.
