What is the eating disorder?

Also spelled eosinophilic oesophagitis, also known as allergic oesophagitis, EoE is an allergic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that involves eosinophils, a type of white blood cell.

How does it affect the body?

EoE often presents with difficulty swallowing, food impaction, regurgitation or vomiting, and decreased appetite. In addition, young children with EoE may present with feeding difficulties and poor weight gain. It is more common in males, and affects both adults and children

What are the causes of it?

Eosinophils are a special type of white blood cell. Eosinophils help us fight off certain types of infections, such as parasites or hookworms. However, eosinophils also are involved in other conditions, including allergies, cancer and other problems.

A variety of triggers may cause this abnormal production and collection of eosinophils. Foods can be one of those triggers in some people in EoE. Other diseases can cause eosinophils in the esophagus and these sources must be considered as well. Some other causes include: Gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD), other forms of esophagitis that damage the lining of the esophagus, infection, inflammatory bowel disease

Who does it typically affect?

EoE affects people of all ages, gender and ethnic backgrounds. In certain families, there may be an inherited (genetic) tendency.

What are some major recognizable features of the disorder?

It is more common in males. If you see someone that seems to be having poor weight gain, difficulty swallowing, food impaction, regurgitation or vomiting, and decreased appetite, then they may have EoE

How can it be treated?

Empiric Elimination Diets
Eliminating major food allergens from the diet before any food allergy testing is also an accepted treatment of EoE. The foods excluded usually include dairy, egg, wheat, soy, peanut, tree nuts and fish/shellfish.

Elemental Diets
In this diet, all sources of protein are removed from the diet. The patient receives their nutrition from an amino acid formula as well as simple sugars and oils. All other food is removed from the diet.  This approach is generally reserved for children with multiple food allergies who have not responded to other forms of treatment.

Medical Therapy
No medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat EoE. However, medications have been shown to reduce the number of eosinophils in the esophagus and improve symptoms.