Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (pronunciation: ee-oh-sin-oh-fil-ik gas-troh-en-ter-i-tis) is a rare and often chronic condition characterized by the presence of high numbers of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the stomach and intestines.
Etymology
The term "eosinophilic gastroenteritis" is derived from the Greek words "eos" meaning "dawn" and "philos" meaning "loving", referring to the eosinophil's affinity for eosin, a red dye used in staining procedures. "Gastroenteritis" is derived from "gastro" meaning stomach, "enteron" meaning intestine, and "itis" meaning inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms of eosinophilic gastroenteritis can vary widely depending on the part of the gastrointestinal tract that is affected. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and malabsorption. In severe cases, it can lead to protein-losing enteropathy.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis is typically made through a combination of clinical history, laboratory tests, and histological examination of biopsy samples from the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of a high number of eosinophils in the tissue is a key diagnostic feature.
Treatment
Treatment for eosinophilic gastroenteritis typically involves dietary changes and medication to reduce the number of eosinophils in the gastrointestinal tract. Corticosteroids are commonly used, and other medications such as leukotriene inhibitors and mast cell stabilizers may also be beneficial.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
- Wikipedia's article - Eosinophilic gastroenteritis
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