The digestive complaints and food restrictions pertaining to eosinophilic colitis, also referred to as eosinophilic proctocolitis, allergic proctocolitis, and milk-protein proctocolitis, can leave the parent of a child, or the adult, with this disorder feeling overwhelmed. Although there is no cure for this type of colitis, the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders reports that following a proper diet can help relieve symptoms and prevent progressive damage to the colon.
Identification
An eosinophil is a type of white blood cell that normally protects the body by helping to fight infection. However, if an individual has an allergic reaction, eosinophils can begin to accumulate in larger numbers, setting off a chain of events. When increased numbers of eosinophils build up in the colon they are often accompanied by inflammation and discomfort. If a person is found to have an abnormally high number of eosinophils in the large intestine, as well as inflammation of the colon, a diagnosis of eosinophilic colitis is made.
Effect on the Digestive Tract
According to the "World Journal of Gastroenterology," eosinophilic colitis mostly affects infants and young adults. The symptoms of eosinophilic colitis in adults make it difficult to eat properly. If you are an adult you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, failure to maintain weight and poor appetite. Because these are the symptoms of so many illnesses, a diagnosis of eosinophilic colitis is difficult to make. In infants the diagnosis is much clearer. Dr. Chris A. Liacouras, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, says, "It is the most common cause of rectal bleeding in babies less than 6 months old." Babies often appear to be healthy and doing well, and the bleeding can begin slowly and progress over time. When a baby presents with rectal bleeding, a diagnosis of eosinophilic colitis is suspected.
Tests to Determine Diet
When an adult or baby is suspected of having eosinophilic colitis, a colonoscopy is performed. A flexible tube is inserted into the anus, and small samples are taken from the intestinal wall to look for the presence of eosinophils. A large number of eosinophils suggests that eosinophilic colitis is present. Because eosinophils are directly related to allergies, the person is then tested for food allergies. Skin and patch testing is carried out, which involves placing minute amounts of food allergens either under or on top of the skin and observing for reactions.
Diet
Depending on the findings of the food allergy testing, the person is put on an elimination diet. This type of diet requires the individual to avoid all of the foods that they tested positive for on the test. Sometimes the result of the allergy testing shows that it is necessary to eliminate all types of protein from the diet. This approach is called an elemental diet, and the person is not able to have any form of protein. To make up for the lack of protein in the diet, easily digestible elemental formulas, consisting of the building blocks of proteins, are available. People on this type of diet must drink these formulas in order to maintain proper nutrition. According to the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center for Eosinophilic Disorders, monitoring of symptoms and follow-up colon samples enable the doctor to determine if the diet is working. Each person is different and, in certain cases, foods may be slowly reintroduced over time.
Considerations
Babies are usually able to adjust to a change in formula and tend to do well. Young adults and adults can have a more challenging time because so many of their social activities are based on food. With a positive attitude and advanced planning, adults should attempt to participate in as many events as possible. Bringing along a prepared snack or meal and getting involved in hobbies that do not require eating can help people adjust to their specific food requirements.
References
- American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders: About EGID
- "World Journal of Gastroenterology": Eosinophilic Colitis
- Nutrition Issues in Gastroenterology: Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Colonoscopy
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center for Eosinophilic Disorders: Elimination Diet
