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Eosinophilic Gastritis: Causes,Symptoms And Treatment
Written by Medicover Team and Medically Reviewed by Dr Vikas Pemmada , Gastroenterologists Medical
Eosinophilic gastritis is a rare immune-related disorder that causes inflammation in the stomach lining due to an abnormal buildup of eosinophils. It can lead to a range of digestive symptoms and affect overall gastrointestinal health.
Early diagnosis and proper management are essential to control symptoms and enhance quality of life.
What is Eosinophilic Gastritis?
Eosinophilic gastritis is a condition where a type of white blood cell called eosinophils builds up in the stomach lining, causing inflammation. It's often linked to food allergies or immune system reactions and requires medical evaluation for proper treatment.
What are the Symptoms and Warning Signs of Eosinophilic Gastritis?
Eosinophilic gastritis is a rare inflammatory condition that can cause a wide range of digestive symptoms. While some people may have mild discomfort, others may experience more serious issues that impact their nutritional status and daily well-being.
Common Symptoms
- Abdominal pain or cramping, especially after eating
- Nausea or a queasy stomach
- Vomiting, often triggered by specific foods
- Bloating or a feeling of fullness after small meals
- Acid reflux or heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
- Loss of appetite and reduced interest in food
Severe or Rare Symptoms
- Unexplained weight loss over time
- Chronic diarrhea impacting daily life
- Anaemia due to stomach inflammation and blood loss
- Fatigue or weakness from poor nutrient absorption
- Persistent gastrointestinal symptoms are unresponsive to usual treatments.
What are the Different Types of Eosinophilic Gastritis?
Eosinophilic gastritis can be classified into several types based on the affected layers of the stomach and the underlying cause. Understanding these types helps guide treatment and predict symptom severity.
There are three main types based on stomach layer involvement
- Mucosal Type: Inflammation is limited to the inner lining of the stomach. This is the most common type and often causes symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
- Muscular Type: Affects the muscle layer of the stomach wall, which can lead to thickening of the stomach wall and digestive obstruction.
- Serosal Type: Involves the outermost layer of the stomach, often associated with fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites).
Each type may present differently and require an approach to diagnosis and treatment.
What are the Common Causes and Risk Factors of Eosinophilic Gastritis?
Eosinophilic gastritis is a complex condition influenced by both immune system reactions and environmental factors. While the exact cause isn't always clear, a combination of triggers and predispositions can contribute to the development of this rare gastrointestinal disease. Understanding these can help with early identification and better long-term management.
Causes
- Food allergies: Common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, seafood, and wheat can trigger immune responses leading to inflammation.
- Environmental allergens: Exposure to dust mites, pollen, pet dander, or mold may provoke eosinophilic activity in sensitive individuals.
- Parasitic infections: Intestinal parasites such as helminths have been linked to eosinophil-related inflammation in some cases. Autoimmune.
Risk Factors
- Chronic exposure to allergens: Continuous contact with environmental triggers may increase inflammation over time.
- Existing gastrointestinal disorders: Conditions such as GERD or other chronic gut issues may contribute to symptom development.
- Immune system dysregulation: An overactive or misdirected immune response can lead to persistent inflammation.
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Get Second OpinionHow is Eosinophilic Gastritis Diagnosed?
Eosinophilic gastritis is diagnosed by checking your symptoms, medical history, and doing special tests to find inflammation caused by too many eosinophils in the stomach
Common Diagnostic Procedures
- Upper GI Endoscopy with Biopsy: The gold standard for diagnosis. It allows direct visualisation of the stomach lining and collection of tissue samples to check for eosinophil infiltration under a microscope.
- Blood Tests: Used to detect elevated eosinophil counts or rule out other inflammatory or allergic conditions.
- Imaging Studies: CT scans or MRIs may be used to assess inflammation severity and rule out structural abnormalities.
- Stool Analysis: Helps detect infections or parasites that may mimic eosinophilic gastritis symptoms.
What are the Treatment Options for Eosinophilic Gastritis?
Treatment for eosinophilic gastritis focuses on reducing inflammation, managing digestive symptoms, and identifying underlying triggers. Early intervention helps improve quality of life and prevent complications.
Main Treatment Options
Dietary Modifications (Elimination Diet):
- Avoiding common trigger foods such as dairy, wheat, soy, eggs, and seafood
- Allergy testing or food elimination trials may be recommended
- Elemental diets may be used in severe cases
- Improvement often begins within 2 to 4 weeks of dietary changes
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs):
- Reduce stomach acid and relieve symptoms like reflux and heartburn
- Often used alongside dietary changes
- Medications like budesonide or fluticasone are swallowed to treat inflammation directly
- Fewer systemic side effects
Systemic Corticosteroids:
- Used in severe cases to reduce inflammation quickly
- Typically prescribed short-term due to side effects
Biologic Therapies (Investigational)
- Targeted immune therapies are being explored for treatment-resistant cases
- In rare cases, endoscopy may be needed to remove inflamed or obstructive tissue
- Typically done on an outpatient basis
- Most patients recover within 1 to 2 days
Ongoing Monitoring and Support:
Regular follow-up appointments to monitor the response to treatment. Nutritional guidance to prevent deficiencies from restricted diets. Long-term care planning to adjust therapies as needed
When to See a Doctor?
It's important to seek medical attention if digestive symptoms persist or worsen over time. Early evaluation can help identify eosinophilic gastritis and prevent complications.
Consult a doctor if you experience
- Abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting lasting more than a few days
- Ongoing acid reflux or bloating
- Difficulty swallowing or loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
- Blood in stool or signs of anemia
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What is the Recovery Process After Eosinophilic Gastritis Treatment?
How well you recover depends on how serious the condition is and how well the treatment works. With the right care, most people start to feel better and enjoy a better quality of life.
Follow-Up Care
- See your doctor often to check your symptoms and change treatment if needed
- Sometimes you may need a blood test or endoscopy to look for swelling
Lifestyle and Diet Tips
- Stay away from foods that cause problems (like dairy, wheat, or soy)
- Eat small, healthy meals throughout the day
- Keep a notebook to track what you eat and how you feel
Long-Term Outlook
- Many patients improve with ongoing care
- Some may need long-term diet changes or medication
- Early detection of flare-ups helps prevent complications
Medicover Hospitals offers continued support through expert care and personalized follow-up plans.
What Precautions Can Help Prevent Eosinophilic Gastritis?
Eosinophilic gastritis can't always be prevented, but healthy habits and early care can lower the chance of flare-ups and problems. Knowing the signs and acting early helps keep symptoms under control.
Prevention
- Identify and avoid known food allergens (such as dairy, eggs, wheat, or soy)
- Maintain a food diary to track and eliminate symptom-triggering items
- Manage existing allergic conditions like asthma or eczema
- Schedule regular check-ups if you have a history of gastrointestinal or immune-related disorders
- Follow a balanced, anti-inflammatory diet recommended by your doctor or dietitian
Complications
Chronic inflammation leading to stomach wall thickening or strictures. Nutritional deficiencies due to poor absorption or restricted diet. Risk of anemia and fatigue from ongoing inflammation or blood loss. Possible progression to other eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.
Taking early preventive steps and working closely with a healthcare provider can help reduce the impact of eosinophilic gastritis and support long-term digestive health.
Our Experience Treating Eosinophilic Gastritis
At Medicover Hospitals, we know that living with eosinophilic gastritis can be hard. Our caring team of stomach doctors, allergy experts, and diet specialists work together to give you the right care. We use the latest tests and treatments to help manage your symptoms.
Our goal is to make you feel better, improve your daily life, and support you at every step.
