Glossary

Eczema: Inflammatory condition of the skin with redness, scaling and often itching. May be related to allergies, infection, diabetes or environmental changes.
Edema: Swelling or water retention.
EE: Acronym commonly used for Erosive Esophagitis
EFA: See Essential Fatty Acid.
EFC: See Eosinophilic Family Coalition.
EGD: See Endoscopy.
EGID: See Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease(s)
EGPA: See Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.
Elemental Formula: Nutritionally complete formulas whose protein component is provided as amino acids to reduce the chance of an allergic reaction. Formulas are used for tube feedings and to decrease the symptoms of food allergy, EGIDs, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other diseases.
Elimination Diet: A diet in which specific food antigens have been eliminated in order to decrease the chance of having an allergic reaction.
ELISA: See Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.
Endoscope: A tube with a light and a camera on the end of it that is used to view the esophagus, stomach, part of the duodenum, part of the terminal ileum and the entire large intestine. Endoscopes usually also contain a biopsy port for collection of tissue samples during endoscopic procedures.
Endoscopic References Score: Used to determine severity of five endoscopic findings (edema, rings, exudates, furrows, and strictures) in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE).
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): A diagnostic test that uses an endoscope to look at the tubes that drain the liver, gallbladder and pancreas. This is done to look at the health of the tubes and to fix any problems such as a stone blocking the tube or duct.
Endoscopy (EGD or esophagogastroduodenoscopy): A procedure in which an endoscope is passed through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum. Biopsies may be taken of the mucosal layers during this procedure. The only preparation is avoiding all food and liquids for a number of hours before the procedure.
Enema: Administration of medication through the rectum for the purpose of clearing out the bowel.
Enteral Nutrition: Nutrition feedings through a tube that either goes through the mouth, nose, stomach or small intestine. The feedings are made of a special liquid that may contain all the nutrients a person needs. Nutrition obtained through the digestive system, either eaten through the mouth or through a feeding tube. See also GJ, GT, JT, ND, NG, and Tube Feeding.
Enzyme: Enzymes are a type of catalyst, which means they speed up chemical reactions. In the case of digestive enzymes, they speed up the digestion or breaking down of food into nutritional components such as fatty acids, amino acids, sugars, vitamins and minerals. When the organs that produce digestive enzymes are not producing sufficient quantities, a supplemental form of digestive enzymes may be needed for proper digestion to occur. Some metabolic disorders involve the lack of a certain enzyme needed for processing or metabolizing specific food components.
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA): A type of test in which subclasses of immunoglobulins may be detected; the test is helpful in diagnosing some autoimmune diseases such as Celiac Disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, viral illness and many others.
EoC: See Eosinophilic Colitis.
EoE: See Eosinophilic Esophagitis.
EoG: See Eosinophilic Gastritis.
EoN: See Eosinophilic Enteritis.
Eosinophil: A type of white blood cell. They are produced in the bone marrow and migrate throughout the body. Elevated levels of eosinophils may be found in the blood and/or in tissue, often as the result of an allergic response. Abnormally high levels of eosinophils are common in certain parasitic infections, as well as diseases such as asthma, EGID, leukemia and drug allergies.
Eosinophilic Colitis (EC): A disease involving patchy infiltration of one or more layers of the large intestine with eosinophils.
Eosinophilic Enteritis (EoN): A disease involving patchy infiltration of more than one segment of the gastrointestinal tract.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) : A chronic, immune/antigen mediated, esophageal disease characterized clinically by symptoms related to esophageal dysfunction and histologically by eosinophil-predominant inflammation.
Eosinophilic Family Coalition (EFC): A patient advocacy group that supports and enhances the lives of families living with eosinophilic disorders while educating others.
Eosinophilic Gastritis (EoG): A disease involving patchy infiltration of one or more layers of the stomach with eosinophils.
Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disease(s) (EGID): The umbrella phrase used to describe one or more of the following: Eosinophilic Colitis, Eosinophilic Enteritis, Eosinophilic Esophagitis, and/or Eosinophilic Gastritis.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): Also referred to as Churg-Strauss Syndrome (CSS). A disease characterized by blood vessel inflammation, which in turn can constrict blood flow to organs and tissues causing damage. Eosinophils are part of the inflammatory process in this disease. This eosinophilic reaction and asthma are the hallmarks of the disease. People may also suffer from sinus problems, neuropathy, rashes, and gastrointestinal issues.
ERCP: See Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.
EREFS: See Endoscopic References Score.
Erythrocyte: A red blood cell.
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR): also called "Sed Rate," the rate at which red blood cells in a measured sample settle in a specific amount of time. The higher the ESR, the faster the red blood cells settled. An elevated ESR usually indicates inflammation. The ESR is a general measure of inflammation, therefore it does not say anything about the location of the inflammation.
Esophageal Dilatation: A procedure that dilates, or stretches, a narrowed part the esophagus (esophageal stricture). This can be done with dilators called bougie dilators or with a balloon.
Esophageal Ring: An abnormality of the esophagus that results from inflammation or that one is born with.
Esophageal Stricture: An area of narrowing of the esophageal lumen. See also Stricture.
Esophageal Web: A membrane that appears in the esophagus, causing dysphagia. The web may be broken via an endoscopic procedure.
Esophagitis: Inflammation of the esophagus.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: See Endoscopy.
Esophagoscopy: A procedure in which an endoscope is inserted into the esophagus through the mouth for diagnostic purposes, or to dilate rings or strictures, or obtain biopsies.
Esophagus: The muscular tube that connects the back of the mouth to the top of the stomach that carries food from the mouth to the stomach. The upper third of the esophagus is usually referred to as the proximal esophagus, or cervical esophagus. The middle third of the esophagus may be referred to as the thoracic esophagus. The lower third of the esophagus is usually referenced as the distal esophagus.
ESR: See Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate.
Essential Fatty Acid: The nutritional component of fats and oils found in many foods.
Etiology: The cause or triggering factor for development of a specific disease. When a specific etiology is not obvious, the condition is said to be idiopathic.
Exudate: A fluid that emits through pores or a wound. During an endoscopic procedure, white plaque exudate may sometimes be viewed in the esophagus of an individual with eosinophilic esophagitis.