What is Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease
Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which eating gluten causes the immuEosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, or EGID, is a group of chronic inflammatory conditions in which a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil builds up in parts of the digestive tract and causes symptoms. EGID can affect different areas, including the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, or colon.ne
system to damage the lining of the small intestine, which can interfere with nutrient
absorption. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, and rye.
Symptoms/Diagnosis
Symptoms depend on which part of the digestive tract is affected, but may include difficulty swallowing, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, poor appetite, bloating, anaemia, or weight loss. Diagnosis usually involves your medical history, review of symptoms, and tests such as endoscopy and/or colonoscopy with biopsies. Doctors also need to rule out other possible causes before confirming EGID.
Treatment
- Dietary Therapy
In some patients, food triggers may play a role. Treatment may include an elimination diet or, in selected cases, a specialized elemental diet to help reduce inflammation and symptoms. - Medication
Medicines may include corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. In some forms of EGID, other treatments such as acid suppression or newer targeted therapies may also be considered depending on the condition and specialist advice.
Management/Prognosis
EGID is often a long-term condition, so ongoing follow-up is usually needed. Many patients improve with the right combination of diet, medication, and specialist care, although symptoms can come and go over time. Management may involve a gastroenterologist, and sometimes an allergist and dietitian as well.