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HERO: What Is Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)?
Animation: Show the outline of a body and zoom in on the esophagus.
Show white spots on the esophagus and show it narrowing.
Hero: Triggered by food and environmental factors
Icons: Milk, wheat, egg, soy, fish, nuts, pollen
Arrows pointing toward esophagus
Eosinophilic esophagitis, known as EoE, is a chronic immune condition where eosinophils, a type of white blood cells, build up in the esophagus.
It can occur as an immune reaction to food or allergens, like pollen, mold, dust or animal hair.
Animation: Show a person going through their daily lives and stopping while eating to signify they are in pain in their esophageal area
EoE can be painful and causes inflammation that damages the esophagus over time. This can take a toll on your daily life.
HERO: Physical symptoms of EoE
Pop up list:
- Trouble swallowing
- Food getting stuck
- Nausea & pain
- Poor appetite
- Difficulty sleeping
Show a person in bed having a hard time sleeping, restless, shifting in bed, sitting up slightly uncomfortable
Food can get stuck in your throat, and you may have trouble swallowing, nausea, poor appetite, abdominal pain, chest pain, reflux that doesn’t improve with medication and difficulty sleeping because of discomfort.
HERO: Emotional symptoms of EoE
Pop up list:
- Anxiety around eating
- Fear of choking
- Avoidance of social situations
Show a person turning down plans and staying at home
EoE can also affect your mental health. You may have anxiety about eating, fear of choking and feel hampered by following a strict diet — all of which may make it hard to enjoy eating out, socializing and traveling.
Show a person sitting on a couch next to others at game night, keeping to themselves and turning away as a bowl of chips are passed
EoE can also affect self-esteem and relationships. You may avoid spending time with other people and worry that no one understands your condition.
Show a person looking tired at work
Your symptoms may even affect your performance at work or school due to fatigue and stress.
HERO: Getting a diagnosis is key
Show the person sitting in their doctor’s office
Show an endoscopy icon or animation
Show a patient talking to an allergist who is handing them a list of foods to avoid
Show medication icons
Hero: Staying on treatment matters
Show a person ordering food from a menu and a circle with a line through certain foods like wheat or soy to indicate that is not what they are ordering
EoE is diagnosed by a gastroenterologist who performs an upper endoscopy and biopsy of the esophagus.
When managing EoE, GI doctors, allergists and dieticians work together to identify food or environmental triggers. Treatment can include dietary changes to avoid food triggers, medications to reduce inflammation and, sometimes, procedures to stretch the esophagus.
Continued treatment is key to managing symptoms, preventing long-term complications like narrowing of the esophagus, and reducing discomfort.
Woman goes back in for endoscopy
It’s important to keep having follow-up endoscopies and biopsies because symptoms alone can’t tell you if you’re responding to treatment.
HERO: Listen to your body
Show a patient talking to their doctor, then smiling and out to dinner with friends looking happy
If you have trouble eating and swallowing, talk to your healthcare provider.
With proper treatment throughout your life, EoE can be managed — and your quality of life can improve.
For more information, please visit HealthyWomen.org/EoE
