What is an Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorder (EGID)?

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGID) occur when eosinophils, a type of white blood cell, are found in above-normal amounts in various parts of the body.

When the body wants to attack a substance, such as an allergy-triggering food or airborne allergen, eosinophils respond by moving into the area and releasing a variety of toxins. However, when the body produces too many eosinophils, they can cause chronic inflammation, resulting in tissue damage.

These diseases are diagnosed according to where the elevated levels of eosinophils are found:

• Eosinophilic esophagitis (esophagus)

• Eosinophilic gastritis (stomach)

• Eosinophilic enteritis (small intestine)

• Eosinophilic colitis (large intestine)

• Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis (multiple parts of the gastrointestinal tract)