You Are Not Alone!
We started this blog as a support to those families in Arkansas and around the country who are faced with raising a child with a life-altering eosinophilic disorder. It has been estimated that one out of 3,000 people have been diagnosed with an eosinophilic disorder. Children suffering from eosinophilic disorders have a myriad of problems. Some of which include: vomiting, diarrhea, feeding refusal, malnutrition, difficulty swallowing, and failure to thrive, just to name a few.
Could you imagine a life without food? For these children, that is a very real possibility. Many of them are on a very restrictive diet of special elemental formula. Those fortunate enough to still be eating foods are very limited as to what they can eat, and still have to drink an elemental formula to maintain a nutritionally complete diet. Not only do these kids have a restrictive diet, but many of them have feeding tubes and endure several surgeries and procedures. These children show us parents incredible strength and endurance! It is our hope that other families dealing with this disease realize they are not alone, and that more people will become aware of this disease. Hopefully this blog will be a support to those living with eosinophilic disorders.
NOTE: House Resolution 296 passed in 2007 declaring the third week of May, National Eosinophil Awareness Week.
EE vs. GERD
Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, IL, produced an excellent article explaining the differences between Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EE) and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). There is a handy chart midway through the article comparing these similarities and differences. Click
here to view the article.
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