What is eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)?
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) happens when eosinophils build up in the lining of your esophagus. Eosinophils are a type of white blood cell that play an important role in fighting certain infections in your body. Your esophagus is the tube that connects your mouth with your stomach. Eosinophils are not normally found in the esophagus, but can build up there, usually due to an allergic reaction, and cause swelling, pain and trouble swallowing.
By finding out what is causing your EoE symptoms, you can reduce them and start living a more comfortable life. You can still go to school, go out with your friends, go away to college, start a career, travel…all the things you might hope for your future. Treating — and more importantly, preventing — the allergic reactions that cause swelling and pain are the key to living a more comfortable life and vital to preventing EoE from causing permanent damage. EoE is a lifelong condition, but it doesn’t have to slow you down.
Did you know?
You may have been dealing with EoE for as long as you can remember. So, it might surprise you to learn that people diagnosed at very early ages may know less about EoE than those diagnosed as a later age.
What is transition of care?
As a young person growing up with a chronic health condition, you might be used to your parents or caregivers taking the lead role in your health. But now that you’re getting older, you’ll need to get more involved with your care.
Usually between 18-21 years of age, you’ll need to make a big change — leaving your pediatric care team and starting to see different providers who treat adults.
This change may seem a bit overwhelming. All adolescents and young adults need to transition to adult care. But since you have EoE, it’s vital that changes in your care happen smoothly and that your health care needs are met throughout the transition and beyond.
Moving from pediatric to adult care with EoE
Reviewers:
- Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill
- Ryan Piansky, patient advocate with APFED and a patient living with eosinophilic disorders
This program is supported by an independent medical education grant from Sanofi Regeneron.
