Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSelf-Checks/At-Home TestingPhysical ExaminationLabs and TestsDifferential DiagnosesFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Eosinophilic Esophagitis GuideHow Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Treated

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Self-Checks/At-Home Testing

Physical Examination

Labs and Tests

Differential Diagnoses

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Eosinophilic Esophagitis Guide

Eosinophilic esophagitisis a chronic immune disorder that affects theesophagus. The esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the mouth to the stomach and brings food into the body. In eosinophilic esophagitis, a type of white blood cells called eosinophils build up on the lining of the esophagus. This leads to difficulty swallowing and chest pain.

The diagnosis process for eosinophilic esophagitis usually includes an upper esophageal scope, esophageal biopsy, and allergy testing.This article will detail the diagnostic tools used to test for eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as what to expect when seeing your doctor.

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There is no way to test yourself for eosinophilic esophagitis at home. However, it may be helpful to be aware of the common signs and symptoms to look for. Commonsymptoms of eosinophilic esophagitisin adults include:

Common signs of eosinophilic esophagitis in children include:

Eosinophilic esophagitis can affect anyone, but you may be more likely to experience it if you have any of the following risk factors:

Your doctor will ask several questions, including:

If eosinophilic esophagitis is suspected, your primary doctor will likely refer you to a gastroenterologist or an allergist.

The two tests needed to diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis are an upper endoscopy and a tissue biopsy.

How an Endoscopy Can Help Treat Different Health Conditions

Your doctor will look for the following characteristics of the esophagus during the endoscopy:

It’s important to note that you may have eosinophilic esophagitis even if your esophagus looks normal during the scope. Only a biopsy with eosinophils present can diagnose eosinophilic esophagitis. If thepathologistcounts 15 or more eosinophils per high-powered microscopic field, a diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis is likely.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Allergic Conditions

Other diagnostic tests include:

Eosinophils can also be found in the esophagus in other gastrointestinal disorders.

Common diseases to rule out before being diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis include:

In addition to difficulty swallowing, other common signs and symptoms of GERD include:

Summary

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune disease that causes an overgrowth of eosinophils on the inner lining of the esophagus. Upper endoscopy with biopsy is needed to diagnose this condition. Because eosinophilic esophagitis is often associated with food allergies, allergy testing may be performed as well.

Common gastrointestinal diseases to rule out before diagnosing eosinophilic esophagitis include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

A Word From Verywell

Eosinophilic esophagitis can be difficult to diagnose, and the process may take time. As you attend appointments and undergo various tests, be sure to take time for yourself. This is a stressful time, so using your favoritestress management techniquesmay help. Reach out to loved ones for support or schedule an appointment with a health psychologist to learn new coping skills.

Frequently Asked QuestionsEndoscopy should not be painful but you may experience some discomfort after it. Your medical team may offer you a sedative medication to help you relax, as well as a throat numbing spray so you do not feel the tube going down your esophagus. Possible side effects of endoscopy include a sore throat, abdominal cramping, and bloating.Common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults are:Difficulty swallowing, known asdysphagiaPainful swallowingFeeling as though food is getting “stuck” in the throatVomiting or regurgitation of foodChest pain or heartburnDifficulty eating hard or dense foodsCommon symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis in children are:Decreased appetiteUnable to eat or drinkAbdominal painFood regurgitationNausea and vomitingFussiness or irritabilityFailure to gain weightReflux that does not improve with medication or treatmentDifficulty sleepingEosinophilic esophagitis is usually treated with elimination diets and prescription medications. Medications for treating EoE include the monoclonal antibodyDupixent (dupilumab), the oral corticosteroid Eohilia (budesonide), or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). If those treatment options are unsuccessful, your medical team may recommend esophageal dilation.Learn MoreHow Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Treated

Endoscopy should not be painful but you may experience some discomfort after it. Your medical team may offer you a sedative medication to help you relax, as well as a throat numbing spray so you do not feel the tube going down your esophagus. Possible side effects of endoscopy include a sore throat, abdominal cramping, and bloating.

Common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults are:Difficulty swallowing, known asdysphagiaPainful swallowingFeeling as though food is getting “stuck” in the throatVomiting or regurgitation of foodChest pain or heartburnDifficulty eating hard or dense foodsCommon symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis in children are:Decreased appetiteUnable to eat or drinkAbdominal painFood regurgitationNausea and vomitingFussiness or irritabilityFailure to gain weightReflux that does not improve with medication or treatmentDifficulty sleeping

Common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults are:

Common symptoms of eosinophilic esophagitis in children are:

Eosinophilic esophagitis is usually treated with elimination diets and prescription medications. Medications for treating EoE include the monoclonal antibodyDupixent (dupilumab), the oral corticosteroid Eohilia (budesonide), or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). If those treatment options are unsuccessful, your medical team may recommend esophageal dilation.Learn MoreHow Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Treated

Eosinophilic esophagitis is usually treated with elimination diets and prescription medications. Medications for treating EoE include the monoclonal antibodyDupixent (dupilumab), the oral corticosteroid Eohilia (budesonide), or a proton pump inhibitor (PPI). If those treatment options are unsuccessful, your medical team may recommend esophageal dilation.

Learn MoreHow Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Treated

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Furuta GT, Katzka DA.Eosinophilic esophagitis.N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1640-8. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1502863Reed CC, Dellon ES.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jan;103(1):29-42. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.009American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.O’Shea KM, Aceves SS, Dellon ES, Gupta SK, Spergel JM, Furuta GT, Rothenberg ME.Pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2018 Jan;154(2):333-345. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.06.065Gonsalves NP, Aceves SS.Diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Jan;145(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2019.11.011American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders.EoE.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Eosinophilic esophagitis.

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Furuta GT, Katzka DA.Eosinophilic esophagitis.N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1640-8. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1502863Reed CC, Dellon ES.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jan;103(1):29-42. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.009American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.O’Shea KM, Aceves SS, Dellon ES, Gupta SK, Spergel JM, Furuta GT, Rothenberg ME.Pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2018 Jan;154(2):333-345. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.06.065Gonsalves NP, Aceves SS.Diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Jan;145(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2019.11.011American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders.EoE.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Eosinophilic esophagitis.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Furuta GT, Katzka DA.Eosinophilic esophagitis.N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1640-8. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1502863Reed CC, Dellon ES.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jan;103(1):29-42. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.009American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.O’Shea KM, Aceves SS, Dellon ES, Gupta SK, Spergel JM, Furuta GT, Rothenberg ME.Pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2018 Jan;154(2):333-345. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.06.065Gonsalves NP, Aceves SS.Diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Jan;145(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2019.11.011American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders.EoE.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Eosinophilic esophagitis.

Furuta GT, Katzka DA.Eosinophilic esophagitis.N Engl J Med. 2015 Oct 22;373(17):1640-8. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1502863

Reed CC, Dellon ES.Eosinophilic esophagitis.Med Clin North Am. 2019 Jan;103(1):29-42. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2018.08.009

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment.

MedlinePlus.Eosinophilic esophagitis.

O’Shea KM, Aceves SS, Dellon ES, Gupta SK, Spergel JM, Furuta GT, Rothenberg ME.Pathophysiology of eosinophilic esophagitis.Gastroenterology. 2018 Jan;154(2):333-345. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2017.06.065

Gonsalves NP, Aceves SS.Diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis.J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2020 Jan;145(1):1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2019.11.011

American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders.EoE.

National Organization for Rare Disorders.Eosinophilic esophagitis.

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