Have you ever had symptoms such as difficulty swallowing (food getting stuck), “heartburn,” indigestion, vomiting and stomach pain, which fail to resolve with Prilosec, Prevacid, Nexium or other standard anti-acid or anti-reflux treatment?  Well, these symptoms could be caused by an actual allergic condition known as Allergic Eosinophilic Esophagitis (AEE) or Gastroenteritis (AEG) that oftentimes gets diagnosed as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD).

A.E.E. and A.E.G. are caused by the infiltration of eosinophils within the gastrointestinal tract, (specifically the esophagus, stomach and small intestine).  Eosinophils are white blood cells that normally play an important role in our immune systems. These cells are responsible for fighting off infections and are involved in allergic reactions. Eosinophils are normally found in small amounts in the blood and intestine but not in the esophagus (swallowing tube).

When eosinophils are increased and present in areas other than the blood and intestine, these cells that normally protect us, now can cause symptoms including decreased appetite, stomach irritability, diarrhea, poor weight gain, weight loss, difficulty swallowing with food getting stuck and poor absorption of proteins.

Studies have shown that up to 50% of people with these eosinophilic disorders test positive (either by skin prick testing or RAST) for a food allergy. Most patients are proven to have an allergy to multiple foods commonly cow’s milk, soy, wheat and egg. In addition to food allergy testing, the diagnosis is definitively confirmed by an endoscopy with biopsies (examining the tissue), which is performed by a gastroenterologist.

Treatment for A.E.E. and A.E.G. is typically avoiding the food that the patient suspects to cause symptoms and has positive allergy tests. Medications that are used to treat symptoms are commonly corticosteroids that are inhaled and swallowed, such as fluticasone and will decrease the inflammation of the lining of the esophagus and stomach. The treatment recommendations are based upon the severity of the disorder and the extent of any injury to the involved organs. Other newer “high tech” treatments are being considered for long-term management of this disorder.

Remember to discuss these symptoms with your primary provider, especially if home treatments have failed to relieve your symptoms. Referrals to your allergist and gastroenterologist for proper diagnosis and treatment will help improve your quality of life.