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Eosinophilic Colitis Doctor - Dr. Scott Liu
In Houston, the GastroDoxs, Dr. Scott is an expert in the diagnosis and treatment of eosinophilic colitis, which is a rare inflammatory disease of the colon caused by the excessive number of eosinophils. When the patients get a chance to receive an evidence-based customized care plan which includes diet, medications, and progressive endoscopy, they feel comfortable again and their digestive structure cures.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Common Causes and Risk Factors
Food allergies (eggs, dairy, soy)
Family history of allergies
Environmental triggers (dust, pollen, mold)
Immune system dysfunction
Allergic diseases (asthma, eczema)
Signs and Symptoms
Abdominal pain or cramps
Persistent or recurrent diarrhea
Blood or mucus in the stool
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue or loss of appetite
How Dr. Scott Diagnoses This Condition?
Dr. Scott uses a step-by-step approach:
Medical History and Physical Exam
He examines your past medical history of epigastric pain, bowel, food consumption, and family or personal allergy history.
Blood Tests
Peripheral eosinophilia is screened by a complete blood count check. Allergy panels can also be included to determine food or environmental triggers.
Endoscopic Evaluation with Biopsy
Upper endoscopy to assess epigastric discomfort and rule out other causes.
Colonoscopy to inspect the colon lining and obtain tissue samples.
Biopsies confirm eosinophil infiltration and exclude Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
Allergy Testing (If Needed)
Skin-prick or blood IgE is the assessment of particular allergens, indicating their dietary avoidance or immunotherapy.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for eosinophilic colitis.
1. Lifestyle Modifications and Diet.
Personalized elimination diet to determine trigger foods (dairy, eggs, soy, wheat) and avoid them.
Reintroduction plan: one food at a time to report symptoms.
Probiotic guidelines to help the gut and deal with inflammations.
2. Medications
Aspirin to relieve colon swelling, pain (use steroids, e.g., budesonide, instead of aspirin)
The use of allergy-based treatments to reduce eosinophil.
Biologic therapy in case of severe or resistant to treatment.
3. Minimal or Surgical Procedures.
In-house Suite Endoscopic intervention to alleviate the symptoms in a short period of time.
Colonoscopy and specific biopsies in order to measure the level of eosinophils.
Availability of clinical trials and novel treatment of refractory disease.
Dr. Scott Liu, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over six years of experience and a background in military medicine. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore, completed his Internal Medicine residency at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, and finished his Gastroenterology fellowship through the National Capital Consortium. Dr. Liu provides comprehensive care for a broad range of digestive conditions, including abdominal pain, acid reflux, liver disease, chronic diarrhea, and colon cancer screening. He is a member of the American College of Gastroenterology and is known for his disciplined, patient-focused approach and clear communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference in eosinophilic colitis as compared to ulcerative colitis?
Eosinophilic colitis is characterized by too much accumulation of eosinophils (in the colon lining, especially, a type of white blood cells) whereas ulcerative colitis is a constant inflammation and the presence of ulcers along the colon.
How rare is this condition?
It has a prevalence less than 1 in 100,000 individuals that may develop in any age but it is more prevalent among infants and young adults.
What treatments are used?
An elimination diet is common type of treatment to identify triggers, corticosteroids (such as budesonide) to reduce inflammation, allergy medications to reduce eosinophilic activity levels, and biologic therapies in cases that are treatment resistant.
Can diet alone fix it?
A customized elimination diet is shown to be effective in a certain proportion of patients getting some symptom relief, although frequently medications are needed, particularly in the presence of severe or diffuse inflammation.
How fast will I feel better?
The individuals will receive some symptom improvement in 2 to 4 weeks of the diet changes and/or administration, although the response time might be individual.
Are steroids safe long-term?
Prescribing of the lowest effective dose of steroid is often done and Dr. Scott merges other treatment regimens to limit the use of steroids in the long-term and decrease the possible side effects.
Is surgery needed?
Surgery is not an option as it is seldom necessary and is only done in case patients fail to respond to dietary reactions, medications, or endoscopic interventions.
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