10 foods to avoid for managing Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory condition that affects the esophagus. It is the muscular tube that connects the throat and the stomach. This condition is characterized by the accumulation of specific WBCs in the esophageal lining. The gathering of eosinophils is triggered as an allergic reaction to certain foods, therefore, knowing the following foods that could trigger the condition and worsen EoE symptoms is important. Let us learn which foods one must avoid. Chocolate Usually considered a healthy dessert, eosinophilic esophagitis patients must avoid chocolate because of its theobromine content. It relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter or LES and allows the stomach acid to flow back up the esophagus. This can cause inflammation and irritation of the esophagus, further worsening EoE symptoms. Tomatoes Tomatoes are acidic and are a part of several everyday foods. Their acidic nature and tomato seeds can irritate the esophageal lining and may cause flare-ups in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis. Citrus fruits Fruits like oranges, lime, grapefruits, and other citrus fruits can irritate the lining of the esophagus. It can also elevate the immune reaction in the body of an EoE patient. This can further complicate the patient’s condition and increase the severity of their symptoms.
