Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEmotionalPhysicalSocialPracticalFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Eosinophilic Esophagitis GuideSymptoms of Eosinophilic Esophagitis
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Table of Contents
Emotional
Physical
Social
Practical
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Eosinophilic Esophagitis Guide
Eosinophilic esophagitisis a chronic autoimmune disease that affects theesophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. The symptoms ofeosinophilic esophagitiscan vary and include difficulty swallowing, heartburn, and food impaction. While eosinophilic esophagitis and itssymptomscan be managed, there is no known cure for this condition.
This article will discuss the challenges that come with beingdiagnosedwith eosinophilic esophagitis, as well as strategies to help you cope.
Verywell / Michela Buttignol
An Overview of Eosinophilia
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a serious condition with no known cure. While treatment options are always evolving, this disease can significantly impact your quality of life.
A 2019 review found that both children and adults with eosinophilic esophagitis are at an increased risk of experiencing anxiety and depression.This is due to a variety of factors, including disease stigma, diet-related anxiety, and social embarrassment.
Adults
Eosinophilic esophagitis can cause food impaction and difficulty breathing. These symptoms are medical emergencies and require immediate care. Living with the thought of not being able to swallow or breathe is very frightening. Feeling anxious is a normal response.
Coping With Emotional EffectsFortunately, there are steps that you can take to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. First, if you have been concerned about your mood, talk with your doctor. Consider meeting with apsychologist or therapistto discuss your worries and learn new tools to cope more effectively.Research shows that a strong support system can help to improve quality of life.In addition to a therapist, talk with your family and friends about what you are going through. When they know your concerns, they will be better able to support you.
Coping With Emotional Effects
Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. First, if you have been concerned about your mood, talk with your doctor. Consider meeting with apsychologist or therapistto discuss your worries and learn new tools to cope more effectively.Research shows that a strong support system can help to improve quality of life.In addition to a therapist, talk with your family and friends about what you are going through. When they know your concerns, they will be better able to support you.
Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to ease symptoms of anxiety and depression. First, if you have been concerned about your mood, talk with your doctor. Consider meeting with apsychologist or therapistto discuss your worries and learn new tools to cope more effectively.
Research shows that a strong support system can help to improve quality of life.In addition to a therapist, talk with your family and friends about what you are going through. When they know your concerns, they will be better able to support you.
Children
Children with eosinophilic esophagitis also experience increased rates of anxiety and depression. Feeling nervous about eating or handling their gastronomy tube, orG-tube(a feeding tube bringing food directly to the stomach), is normal for children with this condition. This is especially true when they are at school or otherwise away from home. These worries may lead to social anxiety and school avoidance behaviors.
Children with eosinophilic esophagitis are more likely to demonstrate behavioral problems and adjustment issues at school as well. Research shows that children experience increased anxiety symptoms when their parents or caregivers are anxious.This is hard to prevent, as caring for a chronically ill child is naturally anxiety provoking.
Helping Your Child CopeManaging your child’s emotional health needs in addition to their disease is overwhelming and requires support. Talk with your pediatrician or gastroenterologist about your concerns and ask about being referred to a pediatric psychologist to help the entire family cope.
Helping Your Child Cope
Managing your child’s emotional health needs in addition to their disease is overwhelming and requires support. Talk with your pediatrician or gastroenterologist about your concerns and ask about being referred to a pediatric psychologist to help the entire family cope.
Caregivers
When a child has a chronic health condition, the entire family is affected. A 2020 study found that family members of children with eosinophilic esophagitis reported a lower quality of life than those without an ill child. Parents experienced anxiety over theemotional stress of caregivingand the financial burden of several hospital visits. Parents also voiced frustration over never being able to take a break from worrying about their child and their health issues.
Families with a child with eosinophilic esophagitis reported experiencing regular disruptions at mealtimes, spending extra time on food preparation, and spending more money on special food. Parents also had the added stress of having to miss work for their child’s frequent medical appointments.
If you have been experiencing frustrations over your child’s health issues, you are not alone. Feeling angry, depressed, or anxious does not make you a bad parent. It makes you human. Know that you are experiencing a normal reaction to a challenging situation.
In addition to thestandard medical therapy, an essential part of treatment for most people with eosinophilic esophagitis is an elimination diet. These diets aim to identify any food allergens that trigger an increased number of eosinophils in the esophagus. When these white blood cells build up in the lining of the esophagus, inflammation occurs and leads to chest pain and difficulty swallowing.
The following elimination diets may be recommended:
How Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Treated
Living with eosinophilic esophagitis can naturally lead tosocial anxiety. Social support is essential for living well with this chronic condition. Consider joining a local support group or online community. These groups will offer a chance to voice your concerns and hear from others who may understand what you are going through.
The following organizations offer resources for finding a support group for living with eosinophilic esophagitis:
What Is a Support Group?
Resources for Parents
It is common for children with eosinophilic esophagitis to experience social anxiety. Helping your child stay connected to their friends and teachers is helpful but may be difficult.
Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher, guidance counselor, and school nurse. Be sure to keep all communication with the school in writing and ask for email summaries of any meetings.
It may feel as though eosinophilic esophagitis affects every area of your life. The following list may help you navigate certain social and practical situations.
Eating Out
Eating out at a restaurant or friend’s house offers special challenges for those with eosinophilic esophagitis. It may not be possible to know every ingredient used in your dish, which makes eating out anxiety provoking.
When visiting a restaurant, go in with a plan. Call the restaurant ahead of time and ask to speak with the manager or chef. Explain your situation and ask if they can accommodate you. When you arrive at the restaurant for your meal, check in with the person you spoke to. Consider visiting the restaurant during a slow time when the kitchen staff won’t be hurried or distracted.
Parties
Getting together with loved ones is an important part of life. It’s natural to feel nervous about eating at someone else’s home, though. It may be helpful to eat before you visit so that you do not have to guess which party foods are safe for you. If you are attending a potluck, offer to bring a dish that you know is safe.
It may be helpful to remember that not all social situations have to involve food. Ask your friends if they’d like to meet for miniature golf, bowling, or simply a long walk. If you’d like to go out for a meal, try packing a picnic and hitting the park. There are creative ways to stay social and safe.
Travel
When traveling, it is best to pack your own food for the trip. Pack plenty of snacks for the flight or car ride. If you are staying at a hotel, call ahead to ask for a room with a kitchenette or refrigerator. This will allow you to bring safe food with you.
If you are flying, pack all of your food and medications in your carry-on so that they will not get lost. Ask your doctor for a letter of medical necessity if you need to bring supplies such as formula or a G-tube. You may want to bring all of your medical information in a folder and wear amedical identification braceletin case of emergency.
Work
It can be difficult to know how to handle your illness at work. Remember that you cannot be penalized at work because of a health issue. You are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), which prohibits job discrimination.
Summary
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic disease with no known cure. It is natural to experience anxiety and depression because of your symptoms or treatments. Resources to help you cope with your chronic condition include meeting with a therapist, following an elimination diet, and staying connected to family and friends.
A Word from Verywell
Eosinophilic esophagitis affects everyone differently, and you are not alone in how you are feeling. Whether you are experiencing the disease yourself or caring for a loved one, you have likely felt overwhelmed, worried, angry, or depressed. Remember that these reactions are normal and there is help. It’s important to adhere to your medical therapy and reach out for support often. Don’t hesitate to ask for any accommodations you need.
Eosinophilic esophagitis can only be diagnosed with an upper endoscopy and esophageal biopsy, removing a sample of tissue to be examined in a lab. Some common symptoms to look for include:Difficulty swallowing, known asdysphagiaPainful swallowingFeeling as though food is getting “stuck” in your throatVomiting or regurgitation of foodChest pain or heartburnDifficulty eating hard or dense foodsLearn MoreHow Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Diagnosed
Eosinophilic esophagitis can only be diagnosed with an upper endoscopy and esophageal biopsy, removing a sample of tissue to be examined in a lab. Some common symptoms to look for include:Difficulty swallowing, known asdysphagiaPainful swallowingFeeling as though food is getting “stuck” in your throatVomiting or regurgitation of foodChest pain or heartburnDifficulty eating hard or dense foods
Eosinophilic esophagitis can only be diagnosed with an upper endoscopy and esophageal biopsy, removing a sample of tissue to be examined in a lab. Some common symptoms to look for include:
Learn MoreHow Eosinophilic Esophagitis Is Diagnosed
Eosinophilic esophagitis is usually treated with elimination diets and prescription medications such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), corticosteroids like Eohilia (budesonide suspension), and injectable Dupixent (dupilumab). If those treatment options are unsuccessful, your medical team may recommend esophageal dilation.
Learn MorePain in Chest: Causes and Signs of a Medical Emergency
5 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.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment. Updated February 24, 2020.Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: A scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019 Dec 9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045Votto M, Castagnoli R, De Filippo M, Brambilla I, Cuppari C, Marseglia GL, Licari A.Behavioral issues and quality of life in children with eosinophilic esophagitis.Minerva Pediatr. 2020 Oct;72(5):424-432. doi:10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05913-7Gonsalves 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.For adults.
5 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.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment. Updated February 24, 2020.Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: A scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019 Dec 9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045Votto M, Castagnoli R, De Filippo M, Brambilla I, Cuppari C, Marseglia GL, Licari A.Behavioral issues and quality of life in children with eosinophilic esophagitis.Minerva Pediatr. 2020 Oct;72(5):424-432. doi:10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05913-7Gonsalves 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.For adults.
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.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment. Updated February 24, 2020.Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: A scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019 Dec 9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045Votto M, Castagnoli R, De Filippo M, Brambilla I, Cuppari C, Marseglia GL, Licari A.Behavioral issues and quality of life in children with eosinophilic esophagitis.Minerva Pediatr. 2020 Oct;72(5):424-432. doi:10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05913-7Gonsalves 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.For adults.
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.Eosinophilic esophagitis: Symptoms, diagnosis & treatment. Updated February 24, 2020.
Taft TH, Guadagnoli L, Edlynn E.Anxiety and depression in eosinophilic esophagitis: A scoping review and recommendations for future research.J Asthma Allergy. 2019 Dec 9;12:389-399. doi:10.2147/JAA.S193045
Votto M, Castagnoli R, De Filippo M, Brambilla I, Cuppari C, Marseglia GL, Licari A.Behavioral issues and quality of life in children with eosinophilic esophagitis.Minerva Pediatr. 2020 Oct;72(5):424-432. doi:10.23736/S0026-4946.20.05913-7
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.For adults.
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