1.9K Reviews | 4.7 Star Rating | 20+ years of experience | 72k+ Patients Treated
Eosinophilic Colitis
At GastroDoxs in Houston, Dr. Scott offers expert diagnosis and treatment for eosinophilic colitis, a rare inflammatory condition of the colon driven by excess eosinophils. Through evidence-based personalized care plans-covering diet, medications, and advanced endoscopy-patients regain comfort and digestive well-being.
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 reviews your history of epigastric pain, bowel habits, food intake and any family or personal allergy background.
Blood Tests
A complete blood count checks for peripheral eosinophilia. Allergy panels may be added to identify 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)
Skināprick or blood IgE testing pinpoints specific allergens, guiding dietary elimination or immunotherapy.
Treatment
Our Team offers a full range of care for eosinophilic colitis.
1. Diet and Lifestyle Modifications
Individualized elimination diet to identify and remove trigger foods (dairy, eggs, soy, wheat)
Reintroduction protocol: add foods back one at a time to monitor symptoms
Probiotic recommendations to support gut health and reduce inflammation
2. Medications
Steroids (e.g., budesonide) to calm colon swelling and pain
Allergy-focused therapies to lower eosinophil activity
Biologic agents for severe or treatment-resistant cases
3. Minimally Invasive or Advanced Procedures
Endoscopic intervention in our in-house suite for rapid symptom relief
Colonoscopy with targeted biopsies to monitor eosinophil levels
Access to clinical trials and emerging therapies for 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
How is eosinophilic colitis different from ulcerative colitis?
Eosinophilic colitis is marked by an abnormal buildup of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) in the colon lining, whereas ulcerative colitis involves continuous inflammation and ulcer formation throughout the colon.
How rare is this condition?
It affects fewer than 1 in 100,000 people and can occur at any age, though it's more common in infants and young adults.
What treatments are used?
Treatment plans often include an elimination diet to identify food triggers, corticosteroids (like budesonide) to reduce inflammation, allergy medications to lower eosinophil activity, and biologic therapies in severe or treatment-resistant cases.
Can diet alone fix it?
Some patients achieve symptom relief through a tailored elimination diet, but many require medications-especially if inflammation is severe or widespread.
How fast will I feel better?
Most people notice symptom improvement within 2 to 4 weeks of starting diet modifications and/or medication, though individual response times may vary.
Are steroids safe long-term?
Dr. Scott prescribes the lowest effective steroid dose and often combines other therapies to minimize long-term steroid use and reduce potential side effects.
Is surgery needed?
Surgery is rarely required and is only considered for patients who do not respond to dietary changes, medications, or endoscopic interventions.
Related Blogs
Gas Pain vs Gallstones: How to Tell the Difference