There are different types of eosinophilia, as it can occur anywhere in the body. Hypereosinophilia Syndrome is a disorder of the blood, however, eosinophils can be found in any tissue in the body.
One set of conditions becoming more and more prevalent are EGIDs - Eosinophilic Gastro-Intestinal Diseases.
Parts of the digestive tract are known to have a low number of eosinophils all the time. The esophagus should not have any. If eosinophils are found in the esophagus or in high numbers elsewhere in the GI tract, you may have an EGID. Symptoms are very similar to crohn's, UC, and IBS, and can often be diminished with adherence to diet.
Since eosinophils are associated with allergic reactions, food can play a huge part in symptoms. So can other allergies. Many people with eosinophilic esophagitis find their symptoms flare at times of the year there is a lot of pollen and their respiratory allergies are flaring.
Unfortunately, because although eosinophils are associated with allergic reactions, they are not the only part of such reactions, and allergy testing will not necessarily show you the triggers of your symptoms.
I personally have EGID throughout my digestive tract, and doctors suspect I may cardiac eosinophilia (or had in the past) leading to my enlarged heart and congestive heart failure.
Unfortunately, these conditions are not understood well at all, and many physicians, including immunologists, are not familiar with them. It is hard to find a specialist, but it can be done. Major universities are your best options for finding doctors familiar with eosinophilic disorders and their treatment.
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There are different types of eosinophilia, as it can occur anywhere in the body. Hypereosinophilia Syndrome is a disorder of the blood, however, eosinophils can be found in any tissue in the body.
April 13, 2011 - 10:49amOne set of conditions becoming more and more prevalent are EGIDs - Eosinophilic Gastro-Intestinal Diseases.
Parts of the digestive tract are known to have a low number of eosinophils all the time. The esophagus should not have any. If eosinophils are found in the esophagus or in high numbers elsewhere in the GI tract, you may have an EGID. Symptoms are very similar to crohn's, UC, and IBS, and can often be diminished with adherence to diet.
Since eosinophils are associated with allergic reactions, food can play a huge part in symptoms. So can other allergies. Many people with eosinophilic esophagitis find their symptoms flare at times of the year there is a lot of pollen and their respiratory allergies are flaring.
Unfortunately, because although eosinophils are associated with allergic reactions, they are not the only part of such reactions, and allergy testing will not necessarily show you the triggers of your symptoms.
I personally have EGID throughout my digestive tract, and doctors suspect I may cardiac eosinophilia (or had in the past) leading to my enlarged heart and congestive heart failure.
Unfortunately, these conditions are not understood well at all, and many physicians, including immunologists, are not familiar with them. It is hard to find a specialist, but it can be done. Major universities are your best options for finding doctors familiar with eosinophilic disorders and their treatment.
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