Living with EoE
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic and progressive condition in which immune cells (eosinophils) build up within the esophagus. This buildup is associated with an abnormal response of the immune system, known as Type 2 inflammation. Over time, this can cause damage to the esophagus.
How Inflammation Affects the Esophagus
causes inflammation
difficulty
swallowing
and other symptoms
of EoE
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS of EoE?
Physical SYMPTOMS
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Food getting stuck in the esophagus (impaction)
- Choking
- Vomiting
- Chest pain/heartburn even after taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)
Symptoms can show up differently
in children (ages 1-11 years) and also include:
- Stomach pain
- Regurgitation
- Food refusal
COPING CLUES
- Cutting food into small bites (the size a toddler could eat)
- Avoiding certain foods
- Avoiding social occasions that center around eating
- Blending food
- Adding sauces or dips to food
- Eating slowly, chewing excessively
- Drinking water with food
EoE can be misdiagnosed as food allergies or GERD
(gastroesophageal reflux disease).
EoE PATIENT PROFILES
We know living with EoE can be complex and sometimes feel overwhelming. Here are a few
profiles
of patients who may be
facing similar challenges from
EoE
and use DUPIXENT
for treatment. These are not actual patients.
![Susan, a 27-year-old candidate for Dupixent® (dupilumab) for treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)](/dam/jcr:fff05ebf-54d7-4ffd-a640-17544137cb99/jennifer-img.png)
PERSISTENT FLARE-UPS DESPITE
MANAGING HER EoE WITH PPIs
Baker, home-based caterer
Susan loves nothing more than creating elaborate meals and hosting great dinner parties for coworkers. Unfortunately, her EoE flare-ups have made it difficult to enjoy these activities, despite managing her EoE with PPIs. Susan feels as though her difficulty swallowing has gotten worse and could reach the point of food getting stuck.
How Susan copes
bites
chews food well
Background and Symptoms
- Diagnosed with EoE at 21 years old
- First flare-up occurred at 10 years old
- Struggles with swallowing food,
heartburn, and chest pain - Avoids eggs and wheat
Treatment Goal
- Hopes to eat food with less difficulty
swallowing
to see if DUPIXENT is right for you.
![](/dam/jcr:7ca2debe-7170-4ae4-91e6-814ae7442865/mark-img-mob.png)
STRUGGLES WITH A
RESTRICTED DIET
Bowler, sports lover
Mark spends most of his spare time bowling and is a member of an amateur bowling league, where many of his buddies play and socialize. Sadly, a restricted diet due to his EoE symptoms and multiple food allergies makes socializing a challenge when food is around.
How Mark copes
to get food down
in sauces
Background and Symptoms
- Diagnosed with EoE at 25 years old
- Experienced symptoms at 15 years old
- Trouble with swallowing and food
getting stuck - Avoids dairy, soy, eggs, and nuts
- Previously had esophageal dilation
Treatment Goal
- To swallow food more easily
goals with your doctor.
![Jack, a 15-year-old candidate for Dupixent® (dupilumab) for the treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)](/dam/jcr:2c67ccda-67eb-456f-8f76-5b65de7be7b0/jack-img-mob.png)
SEEKING AN OPTION
OTHER THAN
PPIs,
STEROIDS, AND
DIETS
Gamer, YouTuber
One challenge in Jack’s life is that he’s now living with EoE and is on a diet to avoid foods that could trigger his flare-ups. Jack's EoE symptoms make it tough for him to eat around his buddies. Jack is on food trials and PPIs but still complains of trouble swallowing and stomach pains. He needs an alternative.
How Jack copes
around eating
small bites
Background and Symptoms
- Diagnosed with EoE 5 months ago
- Experienced symptoms 2 years ago
- Battles with swallowing food, vomiting,
and stomach pain - Avoids wheat and dairy
Treatment Goal
- Enjoy foods without fear of choking
symptoms with your doctor.
Who Can Treat EoE?
EoE REQUIRES THE HELP OF SPECIALISTS
WHO UNDERSTAND IT
If you think you or your loved one may have EoE, you
should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist
(GI), who can evaluate your symptoms and order the tests
needed to make a diagnosis.
EoE symptoms may be mistaken for other conditions.
Getting the right diagnosis is the first step toward
managing symptoms.
HOW IS EoE DIAGNOSED?
A gastroenterologist (GI) does a procedure called an
“endoscopy with biopsy” to determine whether a
person has EoE. The GI uses a thin tube to look at the
esophagus and take tissue samples. The GI may
diagnose EoE based on your symptoms, how the esophagus looks, and the number of eosinophils in the
tissue sample.
FIND A SPECIALIST WHO CAN TREAT EoE
EoE can be a complicated condition to manage. Discover the benefits of partnering with a specialist who can help create a customized treatment plan for you or your loved one.
Use this Healthgrades™ tool to easily find a nearby specialist with experience in treating patients suffering from eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Sanofi US and Regeneron do not endorse or recommend any particular physician, and search results do not include a comprehensive list of doctors in your area.
Sanofi US and Regeneron do not endorse or recommend any particular physician, and search results do not include a comprehensive list of doctors in your area.
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Read about the benefits and risks of DUPIXENT, how DUPIXENT performed in clinical trials, and much more.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Difficulty swallowing
- Feeling of food being stuck
- Heartburn and/or chest pain
- Infants and toddlers might refuse food and lose weight or develop malnutrition
- Children could have trouble swallowing, may vomit, or have abdominal pain
- Teens and adults may have more difficulty swallowing as the esophagus narrows, causing impaction
A variety of treatments are used to help treat EoE symptoms, including:
Biologics
Biologics are specialty medicines that are processed in the body differently than oral medicines or topical medicines. In order to be effective, and to work properly, most biologics are injectable medications. They target specific proteins that contribute to the disease and can help reduce EoE symptoms.
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are a class of medications that reduce stomach acid production. While commonly used for EoE symptoms, PPIs are not an FDA approved treatment for EoE.
Swallowed Topical Steroids
In EoE, topical steroids are swallowed to act directly on the esophagus to help dampen inflammation.
Esophageal Dilation
This procedure occurs during an endoscopy and opens the esophagus by stretching it out.
Researchers are not certain about the exact cause of EoE. However, foods such as dairy, wheat, egg, soy, nuts, and seafood are recognized as the most common triggers for EoE.