Eosinophilia

Myriad health conditions lead to an increase in eosinophil count in the body. Seasonal allergies, parasitic infections, medications and asthma are some common causes of the disease. However, autoimmune diseases and hereditary genetic changes can also lead to higher eosinophil count.

Here is a detailed explanation of eosinophilia causes:

Parasitic infections: Parasitic infections are one of the most commonly occurring infections around the world and are often related to eosinophilia. These include trichinosis, strongyloidiasis, ascariasis, and schistosomiasis. Parasitic infections are usually caused due to travelling. However, a lack of a recent travel history cannot rule out the occurrence of these infections.

Atopy: Atopy refers to the exaggerated production of IgE (Immunoglobulin E) antibodies in response to harmless substances in the surroundings. It is a type of allergic reaction occurring in the body and usually refers to asthma, eczema, or seasonal allergies. These conditions are the most common causes of eosinophilia. Some food allergies can also cause eosinophil count to rise.

Medications: Eosinophilia can also be caused due to certain medications. However, there may be no obvious symptoms. Some of the most common drugs that may lead to eosinophilia include antibiotics, anti-seizure drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or gout medications.

Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE): Eosinophilic Esophagitis is caused due to the spread of eosinophils to the oesophagus. More than 50% of people with EoE have increased eosinophil levels in their blood.

Churg-Strauss Syndrome: Churg-Strauss syndrome, also called eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, is one of the causes of eosinophilia. Patients having the syndrome suffer from asthma or other lung diseases in the initial stages. Later they may develop eosinophilia and then vasculitis leading to inflammation of the blood vessels.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES): Hypereosinophilic syndromes cause very high levels of eosinophil count that lead to organ damage. The organs impacted by the disease include the skin, gastrointestinal tract and lungs.

Cancers: Cancers, particularly blood cancers, can also cause high eosinophil count. Other cancers causing eosinophilia include lymphoma, leukaemia, and colorectal or lung cancer.

The eosinophilia symptoms depend on the cause of the increased eosinophil count. In cases of mild elevations in eosinophil levels, you may not have any symptoms.

However, some of the common symptoms of eosinophilia are as follows:

• Itching

• Rash

• Diarrhoea in case of parasitic infections

• Runny nose

• A chronic cough

• Asthma

• Paleness of the hands

• Exhaustion

Tropical pulmonary eosinophilia, a clinical manifestation of lymphatic filariasis, is a parasitic infection caused by filarial roundworms. Humans are the common hosts. These worms live in the lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, bloodstream and spleen. Transmitted through mosquitoes, TPE is mostly diagnosed in filariasis endemic regions such as Africa, Asia, South America and the Indian subcontinent. Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia timori and Brugia malayi are the three species that cause human lymphatic filariasis.

Symptoms of Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia

The symptoms of TPE include:

• A persistent cough that aggravates during the night

• Weight loss

• Fatigue

• Low-grade fever

Individuals having TPE may also suffer from enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, inguinal or axillae areas. Some other symptoms include wheezing and cough with bloody sputum.

Diagnoses of Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia

The diagnoses of tropical pulmonary eosinophilia include:

• Travel history that supports exposure to lymphatic filariasis

• Increase in the number of anti-filarial antibodies

• An increased eosinophil count

• An increased serum IgE levels

• A clinical response to diethylcarbamazine

• Peripheral blood negative for microfilariae

Treatment of Tropical Pulmonary Eosinophilia

While universal guidelines for the treatment of TPE do not exist, anti-filarial diethylcarbamazine is effective against the disease. Within 7-10 days of starting the doses, a dramatic fall in the eosinophil count is often witnessed.

The step-by-step diagnosis of eosinophilia is as follows**

History A careful history is taken into account like travelling to places where helminthiasis is common, and family history including myeloproliferative disorders, allergies or drug hypersensitivity.

Some of the symptoms that are inquired about include helminth infestation, respiratory or skin allergies, fever, joint pain, vasculitis of multiple organs and more.

Physical examination Physical examination may include a detailed examination of renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurologic systems.

Findings like asthma, lung congestion, and skin rash indicate underlying health conditions like atopic diseases, pulmonary syndromes with eosinophilia, vasculitis, and myeloproliferative disorders.

Diagnostic tests The diagnosis of eosinophilia is done through a routine blood test known as CBC (Complete Blood Count) with a differential white blood cell count.

When eosinophil concentration in your body goes above the average range, the doctor will recommend further tests to find the underlying cause of the high count based on your symptoms.

For instance, Eosinophilic Esophagitis may cause difficulty in swallowing. Hence, the disease diagnosis may include a biopsy of the oesophagus.

Some of the tests that may be used to diagnose eosinophilia include

• Peripheral blood smear in case of abnormal eosinophil count indicating myeloproliferative disorders

• Specific serological tests for parasites

• Chest radiograph

• Parasite tests like thick and thin blood smears

• Stool ova and parasite tests

• Pulmonary function tests

• Organ-specific tests like renal or hepatic function tests

• Tissue biopsies for parasites like filariasis, Trichinella

• Echocardiography in case of cardiac symptoms

• Urinalysis

• Imaging tests depending on the symptoms of the organ affected like a CT scan of the abdomen or chest

• Bone marrow aspirate examination

• Cytogenetic tests for myeloproliferative disorders

• Individuals having eosinophilia are treated through several medications depending on the cause of the condition.

• Some of the methods for eosinophilia treatment include:

• Observation in case of mild eosinophilia

• Discontinuation of medicines in case medication is the cause of high eosinophil count

• Anti-parasitic medications for parasitic infections

• Anti-inflammatory medications in case of gastrointestinal disorders

• Antihistamines for treating Eosinophilic Esophagitis

• Therapy for eczema, asthma or allergies

• Steroids in case of hypereosinophilic syndromes

Precautions you can take to prevent eosinophilia are as follows:

• Keep your surroundings clean and dust free

• Maintain personal hygiene

• Wash fruits and vegetables to avoid parasitic infections

• Avoid uncooked meat

• Avoid consumption of medicines that lead to allergies in your body

You can reduce the eosinophil count either through medication or by changing your lifestyle and diet. Here’s how you can do that:

Medications

After diagnosing the cause of the eosinophil count in your body, the doctor will prescribe medicines to reduce the increased levels.

For example, in the case of eosinophilic asthma, the doctor may prescribe bronchodilators, corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers or biologics.

Anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended if the gastrointestinal disorder is the cause of the high eosinophil count.

Foods

A high eosinophil count can also be attributed to food allergies. Hence, paying attention to the components of your diet can also help reduce increased levels of eosinophils.

Some foods that can help tackle the disease are fruits, lean meats, vegetables and whole grains. Further, avoiding foods that may trigger allergic reactions can also help reduce high levels of eosinophils.

Some foods are acidic in nature, which may cause acid reflux and heartburn and eventually increased eosinophil levels. These foods include onions, mint, garlic, fried food or alcohol.

Lifestyle changes

• You can also reduce eosinophil count through lifestyle changes that may include:

• Eating a healthy diet that includes ample amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables

• Stress can worsen eosinophil count in the body. Hence, managing stress through meditation, yoga, or breathing techniques can help reduce eosinophil levels in the body

• Reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can help you manage eosinophilia

• Avoid exposure to allergens

• See a doctor and take prescribed medicines in case of seasonal allergies

• Stop consuming medications that are causing your eosinophil levels to rise

Home remedies to reduce eosinophil count naturally

• Eosinophils are types of white blood cells that help your body fight off infections by inducing inflammation. A high eosinophil count may sound worrying but it is a normal response of your body to expel foreign bodies. Here are some home remedies you can follow to reduce your eosinophil count:

• Consume more ginger and turmeric as they have anti-inflammatory properties. You can add some crushed ginger to tea and turmeric to milk

• Individuals with low vitamin D levels are more commonly affected by eosinophilia. You can sit in the sun at least twice a week to boost your vitamin D intake. You can also consume vitamin D3 supplements to increase your vitamin D levels

Inhalation of steam can help you clear the mucus in the nasal passage

The ever-increasing pressures of today’s lifestyle have led to an exponential rise in health-related issues. While the causes for eosinophilia are many, high levels of eosinophils in your blood or tissues can lead to serious health impacts. Depending on the underlying cause, you may require suitable treatment at the right time.

However, from diagnosis and medications to hospitalisation and surgery, the skyrocketing medical costs pose a challenge to availing quality treatment. Hence, it is imperative to buy suitable health insurance to stay prepared for life’s exigencies. A health insurance plan offers you the required financial support after the diagnosis of a serious health ailment and helps meet the rising costs of healthcare services.

With the Tata AIG health insurance plan, you can avail of extensive coverage that includes pre-existing diseases, pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization costs, and ambulance charges. While ensuring seamless delivery of high-quality services, our health insurance plans come with the following benefits:**

• Paperless procedure: We ensure that you don’t have to stand in long queues to buy or renew your medical insurance policy. With Tata AIG, you can compare, buy and renew health plans through a simple online process. You will get your health insurance policy documents via WhatsApp or email. Moreover, we allow you to pay your health insurance premiums and claim filing from the comfort of your home.

• Cashless hospitalisation: By getting a health insurance plan from Tata AIG, you can avail of cashless hospitalisation across India through our extensive network of 7200+ hospitals. We ensure that your medical bills are settled directly with the network hospitals without you having to worry about the process.

• Round-the-clock customer assistance: By purchasing a health insurance plan from Tata AIG, you can ensure 24/7 assistance for any query. You can call us, and no matter what time of the day it is, our team is ready and happy to serve you.

• High claim settlement ratio: We are proud to have a claim settlement ratio of 94.21% during the FY 2020-21 thanks to our quick and smooth claim settlement process and our incredible commitment and honesty towards our customers.

• Substantial No Claim Bonuses: For every claim-free policy year, Tata AIG offers a cumulative bonus between 10-100 per cent on the sum insured based on the plan you have. The bonus can help lower your policy premiums or increase your sum insured over successive years without any extra costs.

• High discounts: By getting a health insurance plan from Tata AIG, you can not only avail of wide coverage for various health expenses but also enjoy substantial discounts. While our MediCare or MediCare Protect health insurance with a two-year tenure can help you get a 5% discount on premiums, the plans with three-year tenure allow you to enjoy a 10% discount.

Further, buying a family floater health insurance from us will help you avail discounts based on the number of members covered. You can benefit from a 20% discount on premiums for a plan covering two members, a discount of 28% for three members and 32% for more than three members.

• Tax advantages: A health insurance plan not only acts as a safety cushion during a health crisis, but it also allows you to claim tax deductions under the income tax laws. The premiums for maintaining a health policy are tax-exempt under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

While you can claim up to ₹25,000 per year for a health plan for yourself, your kids or your spouse, policies bought for parents over the age of 60 can offer you additional tax benefits of up to ₹50,000. However, health insurance tax benefits are subject to changes in income tax laws.