Symptoms Of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Vomiting And Regurgitation

Both vomiting and regurgitation are reflexive functions of the body, which means they are both involuntary. They vary in that regurgitation happens when food comes back up before it reaches the stomach. For example, if there is a food impaction, the body makes mucus and foam and the esophagus contracts to push the blockage back up. Vomiting occurs a little later when the brain’s 'vomit center' is stimulated. The stomach contracts, forcing undigested food back up through the esophagus and out the mouth. Vomiting is often accompanied by nausea and a general feeling of sickness. For children with eosinophilic esophagitis, this can lead to malnourishment and failure to thrive. They may also avoid eating altogether.

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Food Impaction In Esophagus

Food impaction describes when some sort of food becomes trapped in an individual's esophagus. This symptom typically occurs in individuals with some sort of structural abnormality in the esophagus that stops it from working properly. A healthy individual has no eosinophils or a certain type of white blood cell in the tissues of their esophagus. However, eosinophils are present in large numbers in the esophagus of eosinophilic esophagitis patients. These eosinophils cause the esophageal tissues and lining to become extremely inflamed and swollen to the point where it can be difficult for an affected individual to swallow their food properly. When the esophageal tissue becomes so inflamed that it swells to the degree where food becomes trapped in it, the individual is considered to have a food impacted esophagus and requires immediate medical attention.

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