Q What is eosinophilic esophagitis? Is it different from reflux esophagitis?
A It is a chronic esophageal disease caused by an allergic immune reaction to certain food antigens or environmental factors, in which inflammatory cells called eosinophils accumulate excessively in the esophageal lining. Unlike reflux esophagitis, which is caused by stomach acid, it is based on allergic inflammation, so it often does not respond well to antacids alone.
Detailed Answer
Eosinophils are immune cells involved in allergic reactions. In eosinophilic esophagitis, the esophagus reacts allergically to food antigens such as milk, wheat, and eggs, or to environmental factors, causing excessive eosinophil infiltration of the lining and resulting inflammation and damage. The mechanism differs from reflux esophagitis, whose main cause is acid reflux, and it commonly appears in people who also have allergic conditions such as atopy, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At our clinic, we look not only at the esophageal inflammation itself but also at the body's overall allergic tendency to overreact to external stimuli and at imbalances in digestive function. We focus on calming the sensitized esophageal lining and creating an internal environment that is less easily disturbed.
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