Do you also often have stomach problems, bloating, and loss of appetite? Sometimes, behind these symptoms, there may be a disease that we have not heard of much, but which we should be a little concerned about. One such disease is Eosinophilic Gastritis . Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What is eosinophilic gastritis (EG)?
Simply put, eosinophilic gastritis (EG) is a rare condition that affects your stomach . Eosinophils, a type of white blood cell in our bodies, accumulate in the walls of the stomach and cause inflammation , which means swelling and damage. Imagine, our stomach wall just gets red and swollen.
It can affect anyone of any age, and it's a chronic condition, meaning it lasts for a long time. But don't worry, your doctor can help you manage these symptoms. This may involve things like regular tests and dietary changes.
What are these eosinophils?
Now let's see what these eosinophils are. These are a type of white blood cell in our body. They are like little soldiers in our immune system . Their main job is to fight off infections and parasites that enter our body.
These are normally produced in our bone marrow , but in small quantities. These eosinophils make up between 1% and 5% of the total white blood cells in a healthy person.
However, due to an allergy , infection, certain medications, or cancer, these eosinophils can suddenly increase in number. This is what we call eosinophilia . These cells release chemicals like enzymes and proteins to destroy unhealthy cells. So, when these eosinophils in the body increase in number, they start attacking our own tissues. Then , inflammation of the stomach tissues (gastritis) or inflammation of other organs can occur.
Who is most affected by eosinophilic gastritis (EG)?
This condition, called eosinophilic gastritis (EG), can affect people of any age. This means it can affect both infants and the elderly. However, doctors most often diagnose it in adults between the ages of 30 and 50. Also, statistically, men are slightly more likely to develop this disease than women.
If you have a history of allergic disorders , or if someone in your family has one, you may be at slightly higher risk of developing EG. Many people who develop EG have allergies such as:
- Asthma
- Food intolerance or food allergies (for example, milk, eggs, wheat flour)
- Hay fever / allergic rhinitis (a condition characterized by frequent sneezing and a runny nose)
- Frequent runny nose (rhinitis)
- Skin rashes, conditions like eczema
What are the types of eosinophilic intestinal disease (EGID)?
Eosinophilic gastritis (EG) is just one type of a larger group of conditions called Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease (EGID) . These EGID conditions can affect different parts of your digestive system . This means that these eosinophil cells can accumulate and cause inflammation anywhere from the esophagus to the colon.
Sometimes, when there are too many eosinophils, more than one of these diseases can occur at the same time. There are six main types of EGID:
- Eosinophilic Colitis (EC): This affects your large intestine (colon) .
- Eosinophilic Duodenitis: This affects the first part of your small intestine .
- Eosinophilic Enteritis (EoN): This affects your small intestine .
- Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): This is the most common type of EGID. It affects your esophagus .
- Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG): This is the type we are talking about, which affects the stomach.
- Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE): This mainly affects the stomach and small intestine.
There are other types of eosinophilic diseases that can affect the digestive system, but they are somewhat less common:
- Hypereosinophilic Syndrome: This can affect the blood and any organ.
- Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): This can affect many organs, including the heart .
How common is eosinophilic gastritis?
In fact, doctors think that eosinophilic gastritis is a relatively rare disease . That is, it is not a disease that affects everyone. However, its symptoms – such as stomach pain and nausea – are very similar to those of many other common diseases. Therefore, it is sometimes more likely to be missed (underdiagnosed) .
What causes eosinophilic gastritis?
Doctors don't always know exactly what causes eosinophilic gastritis. That means it's hard to say "this is the cause." But, in most cases, it's thought that the condition occurs when our immune system overreacts to certain foods (food allergens) . It's as if our body's defense system is mistakenly attacking its own stomach.
What are the symptoms of eosinophilic gastritis?
Symptoms of eosinophilic gastritis are usually mild to moderate. This means that some people may not experience much discomfort, while others may experience a little more. The most common symptoms are:
- Abdominal pain or ascites (feeling like the abdomen is swollen)
- Diarrhea ( vomiting)
- Difficulty eating ( loss of appetite ) or difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Feeling tired all the time (Fatigue)
- Heartburn (a burning sensation that feels like it's coming from the chest)
- Anemia , which means a decrease in healthy red blood cells (this can also cause fatigue and paleness)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weight loss or poor growth in young children
If you have one or more of these symptoms, don't assume that it's EG. These can also be symptoms of other gastrointestinal conditions. Therefore, it's important to see a doctor to find out exactly what's wrong.
How is eosinophilic gastritis (EG) diagnosed?
As we mentioned before, eosinophilic gastritis can take a while to diagnose because its symptoms are so common. You may have been to multiple doctors and taken multiple medications.
This is usually identified by:
1. Blood tests: A complete blood count (CBC) is performed to check for higher than normal levels of eosinophils.
2. Endoscopy: In this test, a thin tube with a small camera attached is inserted through the mouth and the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine are examined. The stomach walls can be checked for swelling, redness, and small lesions.
3. Biopsy: During the endoscopy, small pieces of tissue (biopsies) are taken from the stomach wall. These pieces of tissue are then examined under a microscope in a laboratory to see how many eosinophils are present. If there are many more eosinophils than normal, it could be EG.
Sometimes, if these excess eosinophils are not in the superficial layer of the stomach wall, but in the deeper layers, it may be difficult to see them with a routine biopsy. In that case, it may take longer to diagnose the disease.
To diagnose EG, your doctor will do the following:
- You will be given a physical exam .
- They will ask about your medical history (previous illnesses, family illnesses, medications you take, etc.).
- Blood tests will be ordered to check for abnormalities and help rule out other diseases.
Other tests that help diagnose EG
Other tests your doctor may order include:
- Allergy testing: This can help identify allergens in foods that may be causing your eosinophils to increase. For example, it can help determine if you are allergic to certain foods. Knowing what these allergens are can help guide your diagnosis and treatment.
Is there a complete cure for eosinophilic gastritis (EG)?
This is a question that many people ask. To be honest, there is currently no complete cure for eosinophilic gastritis. That is, it cannot be cured permanently with just one pill.
But don't worry! Medications and dietary changes can help you manage your symptoms. If you follow your treatment instructions carefully, you can live an active, healthy life.
Is eosinophilic gastritis (EG) life-threatening?
Eosinophilic gastritis is not usually a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment. However, early detection and treatment can prevent serious complications such as malnutrition . This is especially important for babies and young children, as nutrition is essential for their growth.
How is eosinophilic gastritis (EG) treated?
Doctors treat eosinophilic gastritis mainly with dietary changes and medications. These treatments aim to treat the underlying cause (often an allergy) and control symptoms. The treatment for EG you receive will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your condition.
Your doctor may recommend dietary changes to avoid food allergens that trigger symptoms of eosinophilic gastritis. These may include:
- Elimination diet: In this, you completely remove certain foods that you think may be causing allergies (e.g., milk, soy, eggs, wheat, peanuts, seafood) from your diet for a period of time. Then, you reintroduce them one by one to see which foods cause the problem.
- Elemental diet: This is a slightly different approach. Instead of eating regular food, a special liquid formula containing essential nutrients, such as amino acids, is used to provide nutrition. This formula is very low in the risk of allergies.
If your baby has symptoms of EG, you may need to change the type of formula you give him (e.g., hypoallergenic formula ). In some cases, children and adults may also need to take iron supplements if they have anemia.
You may also receive medications like these:
- Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone, budesonide): These are given to reduce inflammation in the stomach. They are usually given for a short period of time.
- Immunosuppressants (e.g. azathioprine): These are used to reduce the immune system's overreactions. They are given to people who have not responded well to corticosteroids alone, or who cannot continue taking corticosteroids.
Can the risk of developing eosinophilic gastritis (EG) be reduced?
Whether you can reduce your risk of developing eosinophilic gastritis depends on the underlying condition. As we know, allergies are the most common cause of elevated eosinophil levels.
Dietary changes and, if necessary, medication can help prevent or control your immune system's allergic reactions. In general, a healthy diet and lifestyle can reduce your overall risk of disease. If you have allergies or if someone in your family has EG, it's a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.
What is the outlook for eosinophilic gastritis (EG)?
For most people, the outlook for eosinophilic gastritis is generally good. That means you can live with it well. However, it's important to remember that because it's a chronic condition, patients may experience flare-ups , or periods of milder illness.
Your doctor will work with you throughout your life to help you manage eosinophilic gastritis and relieve your symptoms. You will need to have regular endoscopies and biopsies to monitor your condition. This monitoring will allow your doctor to adjust your treatment, if necessary, to prevent complications for you or your child.
The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions carefully and go to your appointments on time. This will ensure that you receive timely care.
Does eosinophilic gastritis (EG) affect my quality of life?
How much EG affects your life depends on the severity of your symptoms, other underlying conditions, and the success of treatment. In most cases, having eosinophilic gastritis means you need to adjust your diet to avoid food allergens, and you may also need to take medication.
For many people, changing their diet can be both physically and mentally challenging. Imagine not being able to eat some of your favorite foods. It can be difficult to choose the right food when you go out with friends. Planning around meals and social events can be difficult at first.
However, by following treatment instructions and getting help when you need it (for example, from a nutritionist), you can stay well and active.
When should you seek medical advice for eosinophilic gastritis (EG)?
If you have symptoms such as persistent stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, or if your symptoms seem to be getting worse, consider eosinophilic gastritis and seek medical advice. Talk openly with your doctor about your symptoms and how they are responding to dietary changes or medications. Your doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist .
Things we need to remember from this (Take-Home Message)
Okay, so let's remember this as a summary of what we talked about today about eosinophilic gastritis (EG):
- EG is a rare, chronic disease that affects your stomach.
- The main reason for this is that a type of white blood cell called eosinophils accumulates in the stomach and causes inflammation.
- Often associated with allergies .
- Because the symptoms (stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite) are similar to other common illnesses, it can take some time to confirm the diagnosis.
- Endoscopy and biopsy are the main diagnostic methods.
- Although there is no complete cure, symptoms can be greatly relieved with medication or dietary changes (especially eliminating allergens).
- Your doctor will work closely with you to help you get the most out of your treatment and improve your quality of life.
So, if you have these symptoms, don't be afraid to talk to a doctor about them. Finding out exactly what's wrong and getting the right treatment is the best thing you can do for your health.
` Eosinophilic Gastritis, Eosinophilic Gastritis, Gastritis, Stomach Pain, Allergies, Endoscopy, Diet, Eosinophils
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