Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic inflammatory allergic GI disorder which causes the esophagus to swell, making the swallowing of solid foods difficult. Eosinophilic esophagitis occurs as a result of a significant increase of eosinophils, white blood cells that cause inflammation, in the esophagus.

Eosinophils are produced in the bone marrow, and play a large part in allergic reactions due to their inflammatory nature. At the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia, our board-certified allergists provide diagnosis and treatment for eosinophilic esophagitis.

Signs and Symptoms of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis may result from previous allergies, such as food allergies, or other autoimmune diseases, such as allergic asthma. Often, eosinophilic esophagitis occurs in conjunction with diseases like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux.

Symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis vary based upon age, but may include:

• Feeding issues and poor weight gain in infants
• Acid reflux, abdominal pain, and vomiting in older children and teenagers
• Difficulty swallowing food, chest pain, and loss of appetite in adults

While these symptoms differ based on age group, adults may experience the same symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis as teenagers. It is important to speak to one of the board-certified allergists at the Center for Allergy & Asthma of Georgia if you believe that you have this condition.

Diagnosis and Treatment for Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Metro Atlanta

The board-certified doctors of the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia diagnose allergic conditions affecting the esophagus like eosinophilic esophagitis through an endoscopic procedure and performing a biopsy of the esophagus.

During the endoscopic procedure, our highly trained allergists look for the following signs of eosinophilic esophagitis:

• Inflammation
• Constriction
• Trachealization, or concentric rings

Upon diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis, our board-certified allergists may recommend allergy tests to determine possible triggers for this allergic reaction. Following these screening, our doctors may use several different treatment methods including specialized medications or limited diets.

Speak to a Board-Certified Allergist About Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Learning what triggers eosinophilic esophagitis can improve your quality of life. To speak to a board-certified allergist at the Center for Allergy and Asthma of Georgia in one of convenient Metro Atlanta locations, call (770) 459-0620 or request an appointment via our online patient contact form.

Our offices are located throughout the metro Atlanta area in Carrollton, Villa Rica, Newnan, Smyrna/Vinings, Hiram, Peachtree City/Fayetteville, Acworth/Kennesaw, and Douglasville and we have a no-wait policy in all of our offices to ensure you receive the information you need to treat eosinophilic esophagitis.