General Information
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and small intestine. The term eosinophilic refers to a type of white blood cell involved in the inflammation. The inflammation results in vomiting and diarrhea and frequently bleeding from the small bowel. As the disease progresses, there is weight loss and occasionally dehydration.
Why these particular white blood cells (eosinophils) invade the stomach and small intestine is unknown. The cause may be allergic, parasitic, or bacterial. While treatment is usually successful, the treatment period is generally quite long.
Important Points in Treatment
1. Laboratory tests are used to diagnose the disease and monitor the patient’s progress. Hospitalization may be necessary in severe cases.
2. Recurrences of the disease are common.