Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus. Eosinophils predominate within the esophageal mucosa, producing persistent inflammation in the tube that moves food from the mouth to the stomach. The clinical consequence is not simply “heartburn.” An inflamed esophagus may become less flexible, so swallowing becomes difficult or food seems to hang up on the way down. With ongoing disease, fibro-stenotic change can produce a stricture: a fixed narrowing that increases the risk of food becoming lodged. This explains why an experienced nurse listens closely when a patient says, “Food gets stuck.” The phrase may describe intermittent dysphagia, but it may also signal an acute food-bolus impaction. The second situation changes the priority immediately.