digestive disorders
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Proton pump inhibitors Corticosteroids Changes in diet Sometimes dilation of the esophagus Adults are given proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), which are drugs that reduce production of stomach acid and can reduce symptoms. In children, changes in diet are often effective, but PPIs are typically used if changes to the diet have not helped. in liquid form also can be mixed with a sugar substitute or thickener (such as cornstarch) and swallowed. People may rinse out their mouth afterwards to help avoid a fungal infection of the mouth ( Candidiasis (Yeast Infection) ). Doctors may instruct people to change their diet. People can follow a diet that eliminates wheat, dairy, fish/shellfish, peanuts/tree nuts, eggs, and soy (see Diagnosis ). This diet is the most often recommended diet for eosinophilic esophagitis and is better and simpler than eliminating foods based on the results of skin and blood allergy tests. Variations of this diet, where only two or four foods are eliminated, can be tried. The elemental diet, in which people get most of their nutrition in a liquid form usually composed of amino acids, fats, sugars, vitamins, and minerals, is successful in both adults and children but is often not practical in adults. If people have narrowing of the esophagus, doctors inflate a balloon in the esophagus during endoscopy to dilate it. Doctors often do several dilations using progressively larger balloons to prevent the esophagus from tearing. Injection and infusion therapies that target the eosinophil pathway in the body are being studied for eosinophilic esophagitis. 