Manage Eosinophilia

उपशेते यदौचित्यादोक सात्म्यं तदुच्यते ||

Eosinophils play two major roles in the body – to destroy foreign bodies that have been flagged by the immune system and to regulate inflammation; sometimes this inflammatory reaction may be more than what’s required, resulting in tissue damage and disagreeable symptoms. Eosinophilia is a condition in which the eosinophil count in the peripheral blood exceeds 0.5×109/l (500/μL). Although enumeration of tissue eosinophil numbers would require examination of biopsied tissues, blood eosinophil numbers are more readily and routinely measured. Hence, eosinophilia is often recognized based on an elevation of eosinophils in the blood. Absolute eosinophil counts exceeding 450 to 550 cells/µL, depending on laboratory standards, are reported as elevated. When eosinophil increases it is an indicator of an increased antigen-antibody reaction. It also indicates that the body’s immune mechanism is highly influenced. Eosinophil increased count produces clinical symptoms like starting from a simple common cold to dreaded pulmonary eosinophilia. It is a marker for filarial the body. More or less it will produce respiratory tract symptoms such as cordial chest pain often accompanied by wheezing.

In Ayurveda, there is no direct correlation to eosinophilia. The concept of Ama, Asatmya, and Viruddh Aahara all of these can predict this allergic condition. Ama is the product of impaired digestion and metabolism. It affects Rasa and Rakta Dhatu leading to the manifestation of symptoms. Wrong food combinations (Viruddh aahara) having antagonist properties like fish with milk, fruit juice with milk, clarified butter with honey, ice cream after night meals, etc. leads to allergy.