EAD is an abbreviation for an Eosinophilic (pronounced ee-oh-sin-oh-fill-ik) Associated Diseases. EADs are often misdiagnosed because symptoms can mimic more common diseases.

Eosinophilic-Associated diseases (EADs) are associated with excessive numbers of a certain type of pro-inflammatory white blood cell called Eosinophils. 

While the number of eosinophils circulating in your body can vary from time to time, in a healthy person they typically make up less than 5% of the many types of white blood cells.

There are multiple causes for raised eosinophil levels in the blood or tissues, including diseases caused by parasites, allergic disorders, endocrine disorders and gastrointestinal conditions such as parasitic infections, reflux (GERD), Crohn/IBD, etc.  

When a raised eosinophil count is found in your digestive system (oesophagus, stomach or intestine/bowel), tissues, blood or other organs without a known cause/diagnosis, further consideration should be given to Eosinophilic-Associated diseases. 

Microscopic View of Eosinophils in Eosinophilic-Associated Diseases.

The precise diagnosis of an EAD depends on where elevated eosinophil levels are found in the body.

What causes Eosinophilic-Associated Diseases (EADs)?

EADs are triggered when the body wants to attack a substance it has been exposed to, such as an allergen-containing food or an airborne allergen. In defence, the eosinophils respond by breaking open(degranulating) and releasing their toxins. When you have too many eosinophils, excess toxins trigger chronic inflammation, leading to tissue damage.

It is not yet fully understood what causes your body to respond in this way; more research is needed. 

Learn more about the different types of Eosinophilic-Associated diseases

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