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Ask
the Pharmacist By Ron and Marla Chapleau |
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Q: What is eosinophilic esophagitis? A: Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammatory condition in which the wall of the esophagus (the tube that leads from your throat to your stomach) becomes filled with large numbers of a type of white blood cell called eosinophils, causing the esophagus to become inflamed. It is often mistaken for acid reflux (i.e. heartburn) because the symptoms are so similar in many cases but researchers believe the condition is caused by allergy rather than stomach acid. The condition is found more commonly in males and was for years thought to be mainly in children but researchers are finding literally an explosion of cases in adults that were previously undiagnosed. The symptoms can vary from mild to severe and usually include difficulty in swallowing food (the food gets stuck in the swollen esophagus) and less commonly heart burn and chest pain. Children often present with more subtle symptoms that can include abdominal pain, nausea/ vomiting, coughing, food aversion, painful swallowing and a general failure to thrive. Diagnosing this condition requires an endoscopy (where a tiny camera is inserted through your mouth and down your throat) and a biopsy (where a small tissue sample is removed from your esophagus) to be performed. While these are safe procedures, they are invasive and expensive to the health care system so the tests are usually only performed after the patient has failed to respond to acid-lowering drugs and when they exhibit significant swallowing difficulties along with other signs of allergies (such as asthma or hay fever).
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Treatment may include dietary changes such as
the trial elimination of certain foods and the use of high-dosed
steroid inhalers (usually used in the treatment of asthma) which are
sprayed into the mouth and swallowed rather than inhaled. Other possible options include antihistamines and a drug class called leukotriene inhibitors (eg. Singulair). While this “allergy of the gut” cannot be cured, treatment can be very effective at minimizing its symptoms and slowing its progression. For more information about this or any other health-related questions, contact the pharmacists at Gordon Pharmasave, Your Health and Wellness Destination Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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