Learn About Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)
TA group of uncommon chronic illnesses, eosinophil (E-0-’si-n-o-’fil) associated disorders, are rapidly emerging as a healthcare problem worldwide. Yet, many patients suffering from there disorders go undiagnosed for years due to a lack of information or awareness of these diseases.
What is an Eosinophil?
A type of white blood cell associated with allergies, parasites, and cancers
What are Eosinophil Associated Disorders?
· High numbers of eosinophils accumulate in body tissues causing inflammation and damage
· Classified by body tissue where eosinophils accumulate
· Diagnosed and monitored by tissue biopsies
· Chronic diseases requiring long term treatment, with no known cure
· Debilitating diseases leading to missed work, school, social outings
· Delays in diagnosis are common
Eosinophilic Esophagitis
· Causes inflammation and damage to the esophagus, affecting the ability to eat
· Estimated prevalence of more than 1 per 2000
· Increase in new cases (2 – 10 fold) over the past 10 years
· Patients may depend on steroids or medical nutrition therapy through a feeding tube
Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (EGE), and Eosinophilic Gastritis (EG)
· Causes inflammation and damage to the stomach and/or small intestine, often misdiagnosed
· Estimated prevalence of EGE and EC combined is 1 per 3500
· Causes severe abdominal pain, forceful vomiting and/or diarrhea
· Treatment may involve a limited diet, feeding tube and/ or steroids
Eosinophilic Colitis (EC)
· Causes inflammation and damage to the large intestine (colon)
· Often misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBD) or Crohn’s disease
· Patients may require restricted diet therapy, elemental formula or chronic steroids
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome (HES)
· Diagnosed by very high numbers of eosinophils in the blood and tissue
· Causes potentially fatal damage to one or more organs in the body (heart, lungs, gut, skin)
Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS)
· Eosinophils cause damage to small to medium blood vessels (vasculitis)
· Patient may initially be diagnosed with severe asthma
· Causes potentially fatal lung, heart, brain or gastrointestinal damage
· Estimated to be 60-80 CSS cases/million asthmatics/year
Symptoms
Symptoms of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders (EGID) can vary depending on the part of the GI tract affected, and may include:
· Reflux that does not respond to usual therapy (which includes proton pump inhibitors, a medicine which stops acid production)
· Dysphasia (difficulty swallowing)
· Food impactions (food gets stuck in the esophagus)
· Anorexia (poor appetite)
· Nausea and Vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Blood in stool
· Failure to thrive (poor growth, malnutrition, or weight loss)
· Abdominal or chest pain
· Gastroparesis (delayed emptying of the stomach)
· Bloating
· Anemia
· Malnutrition
· Difficulty sleeping
Other Organizations / Partners
Apfed www.Apfed.orgRacing For A Cause www.racingforacause.com
What is the Role of APFED?
· 501(c)3 non-profit lay advocacy organization for those living with eosinophilic disorders
· Mission: Awareness, Education, Support and Research
· Raise funds for research through a peer-reviewed grant program www.Apfed.org