Natural Treatment of Eosinophilia

The human body is under continuous attacks of environment changes. Quality of life is deteriorating due to pollution and urbanization. Respiration is a vital and unique activity essential for life. In tropical countries Eosinophilia is very common. The word eosinophilia has two components 'eosino' and 'philia'. 'Eosin' is a rose colored stain or dye used in labs and 'philos' means 'fond of'. Therefore, eosinophils are the type of white blood cells in blood which are stained by the rose colored dye. Eosinophils increases in number when there is any kind of parasitic invasion in the body.

Eosinophils are directly connected to our immunological defense mechanism; they are produced in bone marrow and migrate to epithelial surfaces and skin. Eosinophils contain proteins that help the body to fight infection because of parasites. Eosinophilia only indicates an increase in the number of eosinophils. In Eosinophilia, the eosinophils get collected in the tissues where allergic reaction takes place such as in peri-bronchial tissues in lungs in case of pulmonary eosiniphilia, in the skin in case of topical skin allergic reaction. In some countries trichinosis (a parasitic disease) is the reason behind eosinophilia. Trichinosis is caused due to intake of uncooked pork.

According to Ayurveda, vata and kapha dosha are vitiated in eosinophilia and results in imbalance of rasa dhatu (blood/lymphatic tissue) with involvement of pranavaha srotas (respiratory system) and annavaha srotas (digestive system). In Ayurveda, pulmonary eosinophilia can be compared with vataja kasa because of similarities in signs and symptoms. Pulmonary eosinophilia can be with or without asthma.

Causes of Pulmonary Eosinophila

1. Extrinsic factors – worms infestations, fungi, medications
2. Intrinsic factors- hypereosinophilic syndrome, asthamatic pulmonary eosinophila, cryptogenic eosinophilic pneumonia

What Causes Eosinophilia?

Eosinophilia generally occurs due to allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever. In undeveloped countries, common skin diseases, medicine reactions, and parasitic infections can be the cause behind eosinophilia.

Other Causes Include:

• Lung diseases, such as Loffler's syndrome
• Vasculitis (eg, Churg-Strauss syndrome)
• Liver cirrhosis
• Antibody deficiencies
• Rare skin disease
• Unknown causes such as hyper-eosinophilic syndrome

Risk Factors

If You have Any of These, There are Chances of Developing Eosinophilia:

1. Allergic rhinitis or hay fever
2. Allergy to foods
3. Dermatitis herpetiformis
4. drug side effects
5. Parasitic infection
6. Cirrhosis of the liver
7. Asthma
8. Eczema
9. Hodgkin's lymphoma
10. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Symptoms of Eosinophilia Depending upon Primary Infected Organ

1. Eosinophilia Due to Asthma

• Wheezing
• Breathlessness

2. Eosinophilia Due to Parasitic Infection

• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Cough
• Rashes

3. Eosinophilia Due to Medicine Reaction

• Skin rashes

4. Rarer Symptoms of Eosinophilia

• Weight loss
• Night sweats
• Lymph node enlargement
• Skin rashes
• Numbness and tingling sensation due to nerve damage

Diagnosis of Eosinophila Requires

• Medical history
• Family history
• Physical examination

Tests May Include:

• Blood test to diagnose eosinophilia
• Blood test to measure antibody levels
• Skin biopsy for diagnosing eosinophilia in tissue
• Stool examination
• Chest X-Ray
• CT Scan of chest and abdomen
• Lung biopsy
• Bone marrow examination
• Bronchoscopy