What is Eosinophilic Esophagitis?
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory condition.
The wall of the esophagus is filled with large amounts of eosinophils.
The esophagus is the tube that carries the food from the throat to the stomach and esophagitis refers to inflammation of the esophagus.
The most common cause of the inflammation is acid reflux.
Acid reflux end result is heartburn, but it can also cause ulcers in the lining of the esophagus.
There are less common causes of esophagitis such as viral infection, not unlike a yeast infection and herpes, which is also a viral infection.
Esophagitis can also be caused by the radiation treatment for cancer patients.
Doctors believe eosinophilic esophagitis is esophagitis caused by an allergy, but doctors are unsure of the substance causing the allergy.
The distinguishing trait of eosinophilic esophagitis is the presents of the eosinophils in the tissue underneath the lining of the inside of the esophagus.
The eosinophils are white blood cells and are one of the many types that cause inflammation, and they are very active in the types of inflammation caused by allergic reactions.
These eosinophils can develop in the lining of the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, and sometimes in the blood.
The allergen causing the eosinophils is unknown as is the method the allergen is introduced into the body, whether it is inhaled or ingested.
Eosinophilic esophagitis is more common in individuals having other allergic conditions.
Eosinophilic esophagitis has afflicted adults as well as children.
Men and young boys seem to be susceptible than women to eosinophilic esophagitis the reasons for this is unknown.
The most common complication with eosinophilic esophagitis is difficulty in swallowing.
The main symptom in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis is difficulty in swallowing solid foods.
Sometimes food can become lodged in the esophagus after it has been swallowed.
Heartburn and chest pain is a symptom, but it is a less common symptom than the swallowing problems.
With children the symptoms are more likely to be abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, coughing, and signs of deterioration.
The wall of the esophagus is filled with large amounts of eosinophils.
The esophagus is the tube that carries the food from the throat to the stomach and esophagitis refers to inflammation of the esophagus.
The most common cause of the inflammation is acid reflux.
Acid reflux end result is heartburn, but it can also cause ulcers in the lining of the esophagus.
There are less common causes of esophagitis such as viral infection, not unlike a yeast infection and herpes, which is also a viral infection.
Esophagitis can also be caused by the radiation treatment for cancer patients.
Doctors believe eosinophilic esophagitis is esophagitis caused by an allergy, but doctors are unsure of the substance causing the allergy.
The distinguishing trait of eosinophilic esophagitis is the presents of the eosinophils in the tissue underneath the lining of the inside of the esophagus.
The eosinophils are white blood cells and are one of the many types that cause inflammation, and they are very active in the types of inflammation caused by allergic reactions.
These eosinophils can develop in the lining of the esophagus, the stomach, the small intestine, and sometimes in the blood.
The allergen causing the eosinophils is unknown as is the method the allergen is introduced into the body, whether it is inhaled or ingested.
Eosinophilic esophagitis is more common in individuals having other allergic conditions.
Eosinophilic esophagitis has afflicted adults as well as children.
Men and young boys seem to be susceptible than women to eosinophilic esophagitis the reasons for this is unknown.
The most common complication with eosinophilic esophagitis is difficulty in swallowing.
The main symptom in adults with eosinophilic esophagitis is difficulty in swallowing solid foods.
Sometimes food can become lodged in the esophagus after it has been swallowed.
Heartburn and chest pain is a symptom, but it is a less common symptom than the swallowing problems.
With children the symptoms are more likely to be abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, coughing, and signs of deterioration.
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