The symptoms of esophagus allergy in adults is classically episodes of food sticking when swallowing that is called dysphagia in medical terms. Typically, a young man or teenage boy presents with an episode of food being lodged in the esophagus or feeding tube.
Food that won't go down and can't be regurgitated up along with a history of difficulty swallowing foods (such as bread or dry meats like chicken and beef) is common, especially associated with a personal and/or family history of allergic conditions.
Failure of the food to go down (or up) causes a food impaction resulting in the inability to swallow even saliva, chest discomfort and usually sends the person to the emergency room. Sometimes, intravenous medication that relaxes the esophagus will allow the food to pass but usually it has to be removed by an endoscope.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Acid reflux and esophagus allergy
Acid reflux esophagitis usually responds to acid blocker medications like histamine 2 blockers ranitidine (Zantac), cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid) and proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole (Prilosec) or esomeprazole (Nexium) whereas eosinophilic esophagitis often does not get better with these medications. Acid reflux injury to the esophagus can result in narrowing or constriction of the lower esophagus causing a food sticking sensation.
This can be treated by a stretching of the constriction known as esophageal dilation that is usually safe and highly effective. Eosinophilic esophagitis also may result in constrictions of the esophagus but the stricture or rings are usually multiple, located higher in the esophagus and carry a high risk of tearing or puncturing the esophagus if dilation is attempted before treatment with steroids.
This can be treated by a stretching of the constriction known as esophageal dilation that is usually safe and highly effective. Eosinophilic esophagitis also may result in constrictions of the esophagus but the stricture or rings are usually multiple, located higher in the esophagus and carry a high risk of tearing or puncturing the esophagus if dilation is attempted before treatment with steroids.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Esophagus allergy treatment team
Esophagus allergy is an allergic inflammatory reaction of the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. To distinguish between GERD and EE, a biopsy of the esophagus and GERD studies are preformed. In EE, high levels of eosinophils are detected in the esophagus only, and not other parts of the digestive tract.
The treatment team usually consists of your primary doctor and pediatric specialty physicians in Allergy and Gastroenterology who are familiar with this disorder. A nutritionist may be needed to help manage dietary concerns.
The treatment team usually consists of your primary doctor and pediatric specialty physicians in Allergy and Gastroenterology who are familiar with this disorder. A nutritionist may be needed to help manage dietary concerns.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Schatzki's ring is a disorder involved in esophagus allergy
The Hiatal Hernia Syndrome can (eventually) cause serious illness including respiratory and cardiac symptoms, and appears to be present in most sufferers of food and chemical allergies. But some of these complaints may be caused by the so-called Schatzki's ring, and not the hernia itself. You can have either condition and not the other, or you may have both--as is common.
Schatzki's ring is a disorder of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and acts like a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. Dry foods (like bread) can be a problem, but wheat, beef (or other) allergy may also be a factor. (Or this may be a purely mechanical problem and include such matters as the causative role of the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Syndrome.
Schatzki's ring is a disorder of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) and acts like a valve between the esophagus and the stomach. Dry foods (like bread) can be a problem, but wheat, beef (or other) allergy may also be a factor. (Or this may be a purely mechanical problem and include such matters as the causative role of the Hiatal Hernia/Vagus Nerve Syndrome.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Common groups of foods that cluster with esophagus allergy
Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is a well-recognized but little known condition. It is characterized by burning sensation or mouth pain and swelling when people eat specific foods that cross react to pollens which the is allergic to. There are common groups of foods that cluster with esophagus allergy.
On biopsy of such a ringed or felinized appearing esophagus (that is also often narrowed resulting in food sticking) microscopic signs of esophagus allergy are noted. The lining shows a reddish appearing white blood cell. This is characteristic of allergic conditions like histimine are released that trigger swelling and pain.
On biopsy of such a ringed or felinized appearing esophagus (that is also often narrowed resulting in food sticking) microscopic signs of esophagus allergy are noted. The lining shows a reddish appearing white blood cell. This is characteristic of allergic conditions like histimine are released that trigger swelling and pain.
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