Eosinophilic Esophagitis in St. Louis, MO
Ready to Consult a GI Physician?
Find a ProviderWhat is eosinophilic esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis or (EoE) is a condition characterized by inflammation of the esophagus. If a specific kind of white blood cell, called an eosinophil, builds up in the esophageal lining, the esophagus can become swollen which can result in esophagitis. The accumulation of these eosinophils is most often a side effect of acid reflux or an allergic reaction to allergens or food. EoE can develop in people of any age. However, it is seen most often in younger, Caucasian males, who make up nearly 75% of occurrences. At Specialists in Gastroenterology, our providers offer personalized treatment for this condition. If you or someone you love is diagnosed with EoE in St. Louis, MO, contact one of our locations to request a consultation.
What are some of the causes of eosinophilic esophagitis?
The number of people being diagnosed with EoE has been rapidly increasing, linked to the uptick in asthma and allergies. A sample of the common causes of EoE are:
- Impaction and dysphagia (a struggle with swallowing, or having food become lodged in the esophagus)
- Allergic response (to pollen, food, etc.)
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Damage to the esophagus (inflammation of the esophagus may cause tissue scarring and esophageal narrowing)
A few of the risk factors associated with being diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis include:
- Geography (people who live in cold, dry climates have a greater likelihood of being diagnosed)
- Family history of EoE
- Being male
- Allergies and asthma
- Season (you are more likely to be diagnosed with EoE in seasons with increased levels of pollen and other allergens)
What are some of the symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis?
Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis for adults and children can differ. The primary symptoms in adults can include:
- Food blocking in the esophagus when eating
- A cough
- Struggle with swallowing (dysphagia)
- Pain in the chest
- Acid reflux
- Pain in the upper stomach
- A lack of efficacy from acid reflux medication
The usual symptoms for children can include:
- Struggles feeding (infants)
- Difficulty eating (children)
- Struggles with swallowing
- Vomiting
- Impaction (food blockage in the esophagus)
- Pain in the stomach or abdomen
- Below average growth, unexplained weight loss, malnutrition
If you or your child are experiencing these symptoms in any combination, or if you need over-the-counter (OTC) heartburn medication more than twice a week, it may be time to consult with a Specialists in Gastroenterology provider as soon as possible.
What are the treatments for eosinophilic esophagitis?
Treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis through one of our St. Louis, MO locations primarily focuses on treating the symptoms of the condition. If you are experiencing symptoms resulting from allergies to foods your provider will likely suggest that you abstain from eating triggering foods. Individuals are regularly directed to adhere to the six-food elimination diet (SFED), excluding wheat, milk, eggs, nuts, soy, fish, and shellfish from their diet for some certain period of time. Symptoms are monitored carefully, and certain foods are slowly reintroduced to the diet to determine which foods are responsible for the reaction. Specific medications can be prescribed like a proton pump inhibitor or topical steroids. If symptoms continue to persist, your provider may suggest esophageal dilation. This is a treatment to help stretch your esophagus to make swallowing easier.
Find personalized care for eosinophilic esophagitis
If you or a loved one are managing eosinophilic esophagitis, expert help and compassionate care are available from the skilled physicians at a Specialists in Gastroenterology location near you. Our experienced GI providers apply a patient-centric approach to treat and help manage conditions like eosinophilic esophagitis and improve your overall health. To meet with a provider who offers treatment for EoE in St. Louis, MO, please reach out to one of our locations at your earliest convenience.
Reviews
Nice and friendly and I was in and out so fast.
He was very nice and professional telling somebody’s about their condition and he got very professional staff they was very nice to me and concerned about my health
Dr Root was extremely pleasant and had an awesome bedside manner. He was totally tuned into what I was saying and really made me feel secure with being under his care. The older doctors are passing on the torch to the newer young doctors. Congratulations Dr Root. Glad to be a patient under your care
Excellent care and compassion.
Fantastic atmosphere. Very informative and welcoming staff who are friendly and easy to talk to. Thank you all and keep up the great work!
962
Total Reviews
4.9
Average Rating