Special thread to help patients suffering from painful throat discomfort –

Thousands of people living with a dull throat problem can soon recover from frequent invasive scans by swallowing a piece of string.

The new technique, developed by doctors at Southampton University Hospital, will be available to patients with eosinophilic esophagitis, a condition that affects around one in 1,000 people and causes severe inflammation of the esophagus or esophagus.

This can make it uncomfortable to eat, cause nausea, and in severe cases may require an emergency procedure to clear the blockages.

In February, 26-year-old Motherwell football player Sean Goss revealed that he suffers from the condition.

If patients are unable to swallow, they may have to rely on meal replacement shakes for their nutrition.

In February, 26-year-old Motherwell football player Sean Goss revealed that he suffers from the condition.

The disease can be treated with medications and limiting the foods that trigger symptoms, but the only surveillance method available involves placing a camera down the throat every two months.

This method, also called endoscopy, can be tiring, but it is important so that doctors can see inside the esophagus and take a tissue sample. As the condition progresses, scar tissue can build up, permanently narrowing the tube and exacerbating symptoms.

Now a new test developed by British doctors could replace cumbersome but necessary camera controls.

During a 30-minute procedure, patients swallow a 0.3 mm wide string wrapped in an 8 mm ball. One end is glued to the side of the cheek. They take a sip of water and the thread dissolves in the stomach. It is removed after half an hour. The rope is made of Rayon, a synthetic fiber often used in upholstery that is also very absorbent. It draws fluid into the esophagus, therefore allowing doctors to check for microscopic inflammatory proteins instead of looking for physical damage.

In eosinophilic esophagitis, infection-fighting cells called eosinophils get mixed up and accumulate in the esophagus. The area becomes inflamed, causing the tube to feel tight.

While many patients claim that having an endoscopic examination is only mildly uncomfortable, a minority find it traumatic and require sedation. It can be difficult, especially for children. Dr. “Because the yarn is as soft and elastic as eating food, five-year-olds have no problem swallowing it. We also have this testing equipment in all NHS labs, so it will be easy to implement it extensively,” said Efrem Eren, an immunologist at Southampton University Hospital, who has used this technique in 1,000 cases.

Why some people develop eosinophilic esophagitis has long confused doctors. Many experts believe it is the result of an unusually reactive immune system, as people with immune disorders such as asthma and food allergies are more likely to develop it.

Treatment includes skipping common trigger foods such as wheat and dairy products. Heartburn medications called proton pump inhibitors can also be as effective as steroids. If left untreated, the esophagus can become so narrowed that patients need therapeutic dilation using a balloon to widen the tube so they can swallow.

Rarely, patients develop tears in the tissue that require immediate surgery to repair it.

Southampton doctors are encouraging patients to take the new test at home to avoid going to the hospital. Dr. “Getting tested at home is an easy way to reassure them that their treatment is all under control: it can encourage them to stick with their treatment plan,” says Eren.

Eli Rana, 13, from Southampton, has been screened using the string test since he was first diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis in June 2020. His mother, Lisa, an allergy awareness activist, had caught the attention of people who cut fruit and vegetables into small pieces and drank a few. a glass of water to wash the food during the meal.

Eli, who is interested in cars and photography, underwent an endoscopy and biopsy under general anesthesia to confirm his diagnosis. The following year, Southampton doctors monitored his condition using string testing as he tried to remove several foods from his diet. Finally, soy was found to produce eosinophils in the esophagus.

His mother said, ‘I can’t imagine what it would be like if he didn’t get the string key. It doesn’t hurt at all and can be back at school in an hour – that’s great. I want Eli to live as normal a life as possible. It would be terrible if his health forced him to attend school regularly”.