Eosinophilic (pronounced ee-oh-sin-oh-fill-ik) diseases are often misdiagnosed as symptoms can mimic other more common diseases.

Eosinophilic diseases are those diseases caused by or associated with excessive numbers of a certain type of inflammatory cell called Eosinophils.  These cells circulate as one of the white blood cells (there are many other types) and are commonly increased in the blood in diseases caused by parasites. 

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

There are multiple causes for raised eosinophil levels in the blood or different tissues including allergic disorders, endocrine disorders and gastro conditions such as parasitic infections, reflux (GERD) and Crohns/IBD etc.  

Eosinophilic Diseases are when the body wants to attack a substance it has had contact with, such as an allergy-triggering food or airborne allergen. In defence, the eosinophils respond by breaking open(degranulating) and releasing their toxins. When you have too many eosinophils, this causes chronic inflammation, resulting in tissue damage.

When raised eosinophil levels are 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. 

EOS Network aims to increase global awareness and education to improve diagnosis times. 

 

The precise diagnosis of an Eosinophilic disease depends on where in the body the raised levels of Eosinophils are found.

 

Click here for types of Eosinophilic Diseases 

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Last updated 23/01/20 ©EOS Network 2020 All rights reserved