Many people have never heard of eosinophilic disorders and have a hard time believing that FOOD can cause such harm. These disorders are DIFFERENT than immediate, life-threatening allergic reactions to food (although we also deal with those, too). Eosinophilic disorders involve delayed reactions. Eosinophilic esophagitis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis, the two forms of the disease that affect our family, are diagnosed by looking at biopsies taken during an endoscopy. The biopsies will reveal abnormal findings in the pathology, including an increased number of eosinophils. Unfortunately, this disease is chronic and is not outgrown. We need better treatment options, and ultimately, a cure!
Kedzie gave a wonderful presentation to her elementary class about this disease.
http://vimeo.com/23937457
Here is a story I wrote a few years ago:
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20090127/MAGAZINE01/901270915
You can read more about eosinophilic disorders at these pages:
http://tiger-egid.cdhnf.org/aspx/public/ContentPage.aspx?pName=PatientsFamilies_Overview&pType=en&menu=patientsandfamilies
http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/service/c/eosinophilic-disorders/conditions/eosinophilic-disorder/
http://apfed.org/drupal/drupal/index.php
http://www.chop.edu/service/allergy/allergy-and-asthma-information/eosinophilic-esophagitis.html
