What is EoE?
If you have Eosinophilic Oesophagitis (EoE), a type of white blood cell called eosinophils build up in the lining of your oesophagus (the pipe that connects your mouth to your stomach). This can cause inflammation and damage to the tissue of the oesophagus. EoE is often, but not always, caused by a reaction to food or environmental allergens.
What symptoms might I notice?
- Difficulty swallowing
- Food getting stuck in your oesophagus
- Slow eating (needing to chew for a long time, or wash food down with water)
- Nausea
- Persistent vomiting or retching
- Abdominal or chest pain
- Reflux that doesn’t respond to anti-acid medication
- Choking, gagging, feeding difficulties or failure to thrive in children
How to get diagnosed
A gastroenterologist can diagnose EoE by looking at biopsies taken from your oesophagus during a gastroscopy. You’re more likely to have EoE if you have other allergic conditions like eczema, asthma or food allergies. Males are also more at risk. While still rare, rates of EoE are increasing.
Treatment
Dietary changes, medications and sometimes surgery may be used to treat EoE. I have a special interest in helping people with EoE identify potential trigger foods.
Note: Skin prick and patch tests aren’t good at identifying EoE triggers (the condition isn’t solely Ig-E mediated).
Need personalised nutrition advice?
Elly McKenzie is a New Zealand-based nutritionist specialising in practical, evidence-based support for gut health, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies/intolerances, and general nutrition (including healthy eating, high cholesterol/blood pressure and pre-diabetes).
Consultations are available in person at her Mount Maunganui clinic (Tauranga) or across Aotearoa via secure Telehealth. Book a consultation or get in touch to learn more.