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Once considered a rare condition, cases of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are becoming more common. More than 470,000 people in the United States are living with EoE, a chronic inflammatory condition of the esophagus that causes symptoms that can disrupt daily life. <\/p>\n
A proactive approach to care can help you stay ahead of EoE, letting you live your life without being defined by your illness. <\/p>\n
Understanding EoE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n EoE affects your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth to your stomach. It happens when your immune system floods this tube with white blood cells<\/a> in response to certain allergens, an abnormal reaction known as type 2 inflammation.<\/p>\n Over time, white blood cells called eosinophils<\/a> build up in the lining of your esophagus, causing swelling that can lead to EoE symptoms. <\/p>\n For adults, the most common symptom<\/a> of EoE is trouble swallowing, also known as dysphagia. <\/p>\n Other symptoms of EoE may include:<\/p>\n These symptoms may be constant or come and go, but EoE is a lifelong chronic disease \u2014 and that means treating it is a lifelong commitment. <\/p>\n Taking steps to proactively manage your EoE, even when you\u2019re not having symptoms, can help you control the condition better. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Why endoscopy matters<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n If you have EoE, your doctor probably used an endoscope to diagnose it. This long, skinny tube with tools like a light and camera is used to look at the lining of your esophagus. It can also collect tissue samples that contain clues about your condition.<\/p>\n The name of the procedure where your doctor uses an endoscope is called an endoscopy. Getting an endoscopy on a regular basis \u2014 even when you feel fine \u2014 is important for staying on top of EoE. <\/p>\n \u201cIn order to assess EoE, three areas need to be measured: symptoms, endoscopy (how the esophagus looks) and histology (what\u2019s on the biopsy),\u201d said Evan Dellon, M.D.<\/a>, director of the Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. \u201cThe reason for this is that symptoms are not always a reliable indicator of how active EoE is.\u201d<\/p>\n A patient may feel well, but their esophagus can still show signs of EoE activity. Or a patient may have a lot of symptoms even when the esophagus and biopsies look pretty good. <\/p>\n Dellon suggests that people with EoE get an endoscopy after any change in treatment, whether starting something new or tweaking their current approach.<\/p>\n \u201cWe also recommend performing endoscopy even after things are controlled to make sure treatments are still working, but the time frame for this is individualized based on a patient\u2019s specific disease characteristics,\u201d Dellon said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Know the signs of EoE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n In addition to getting an endoscopy, you can stay on top of your EoE by knowing how to tell if your treatment isn\u2019t working.<\/p>\n \u201cTypically if a treatment is working well, symptoms should ultimately be improved \u2026 with the endoscopy and biopsies improving as well,\u201d Dellon said. <\/p>\n \u201cIf [symptoms were previously improved], but now symptoms \u2014 for example food sticking or trouble swallowing \u2014 return, then that\u2019s a sign that the treatment may not be working.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Flexibility is key when it comes to EoE<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n Nothing stays the same in life, and this often includes your EoE treatment needs. The treatment that has always worked well for you may stop working, or new treatments may become available. Or you may decide you want to try a different treatment option and see what happens.<\/p>\n Life changes can also dictate a shift in how you manage your EoE. These may include:<\/p>\n \u201cFor example, someone who is in college may not want or be able to do diet elimination and opt for a medication for EoE,\u201d Dellon said. \u201cHowever, after graduation and when things are more stable with a job, that same person may want to try to be off medications and try diet elimination as a treatment.\u201d<\/p>\n Knowing that EoE \u2014 or life \u2014 may throw you a curveball can help you cope if the need for treatment changes arises. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Navigating EoE treatment with clear communication<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/h3>\n As you travel through life with EoE, it\u2019s important to be clear with your care team about what matters to you. Communicating your treatment priorities can help your clinicians and you put together a plan that meets your needs.<\/p>\n \u201cOne tenet of the way we currently approach treatment in EoE is with shared decision-making<\/a>,\u201d Dellon said. There are several safe and effective options for treating EoE, and which one is best for you mostly depends on your preferences and priorities. Determining which treatment is best for you requires good communication between you and your clinician. <\/p>\n \u201cHealthcare providers need to give enough information about treatment options so there can be a discussion and a patient can come to a decision.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also important to understand that treating your EoE may involve tradeoffs. For example, Dellon said patients may need to choose between using a medication that is inexpensive but also less effective and one that costs more but may work better. <\/p>\n Read: How Shared Decision-Making Can Lead to Better Healthcare >><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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