Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis: Symptoms, Causes & Management

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is characterized by a high number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cells, in the stomach and small intestines. Eosinophils account for between one and four percent of the body's cellular make-up. These blood cells are most commonly associated with allergic diseases and parasite infections.

Eosinophils help to fight off allergy-triggering food and airborne allergens. However, when there are too many, they can cause chronic inflammation which could result in tissue damage.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of eosinophilic gastroenteritis include diarrhea, poor growth or weight loss, bloating, anorexia and gastroparesis. Because these symptoms are not specific to EG disorders, a biopsy is the only way to confirm a diagnosis.

Gastroparesis

• Gastroparesis occurs when the muscles in the stomach do not function properly which, in turn, does not cause the contractions needed to push food through the digestive tract.

Treatment

• There is currently no cure for eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Treatment can help alleviate some of the symptoms and prevent further problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

Dietary Therapy

• Some experts recommend dietary therapy as a way to treat eosinophilic gastroenteritis. First, a test would be done to determine what foods the patient is most allergic to, and then he would avoid foods on that list.

Medications

• There are currently no medications to cure eosinophilic gastroenteritis, but there are some that can help relieve the symptoms. Steroids are most commonly used.