Intestinal atony is a fairly common problem that is diagnosed in both adult patients and young children. The disease is accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the intestinal wall, resulting in a serious violation of peristalsis. Patients suffer from constant constipation. Left untreated, atony can lead to damage to the intestinal wall.
Of course, many people are looking for more information about the disease. Why does intestinal atony develop? What to do in such cases? How dangerous can pathology be? What symptoms should be looked out for? The answers to these questions are important for many patients.
General information about the disease
Intestinal atony in humans is a pathology that is accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. Against the background of such changes, intestinal peristalsis is disturbed, as a result of which the speed of movement of food masses to the final sections of the digestive tube (to the rectum) slows down significantly.
Howit is known that normally each section of the colon makes about 14 perist altic contractions per minute. If this indicator falls, then feces begin to accumulate in the intestines. That is why the main problem faced by patients is constant, chronic constipation. This pathology is diagnosed not only in adults and elderly patients - newborn children often become victims of the disease.
Main causes of pathology
According to statistics, people from developed countries often suffer from intestinal atony, in which a large percentage of the population eats high-calorie foods and leads a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to accurately determine the causes of a decrease in the tone of the intestinal wall, but some risk factors can still be identified:
- It is believed that in this case there is a genetic predisposition. If one of the direct relatives suffered from such a disease, then the likelihood of developing it is higher.
- Of course, one of the most common causes is malnutrition. If there is no fiber in the diet, and instead the patient prefers high-calorie foods high in saturated fat and sugar, then gradually the tone of the muscles of the intestinal wall weakens.
- Inactivity, lack of physical activity, sedentary work - all this affects the processes of contraction of the intestinal wall.
- Risk factors include constant stress, psycho-emotional overstrain. If athe central nervous system is constantly amenable to adverse effects, this immediately affects the work of all organ systems.
- Intestinal atony is often diagnosed in elderly patients. In this case, the weakening of the intestinal wall is in one way or another associated with the aging process.
- Potentially dangerous is dysbacteriosis, as well as some intestinal infections. A change in the natural composition of the microflora leads to disruption of normal digestion, which may lead to a change in peristalsis.
- Intestinal atony leads to long-term use of antispasmodic drugs and morphine-like analgesics.
- The list of possible causes includes parasitic intestinal diseases (helminthiases).
- Atonia may be associated with the formation and growth of malignant tumors in the intestine.
- There is a so-called postoperative atony of the intestine, which develops after surgery on the abdominal organs.
- Alcohol abuse is potentially dangerous, as ethanol negatively affects the central nervous system, disrupting the innervation of the intestinal walls.
- Smoking is also a risk factor. Despite the fact that at first nicotine stimulates intestinal motility, gradually the work of the walls of the digestive tract deteriorates.
- People with drug addiction often suffer from atony. Taking substances from the opiate group leads to a significant decrease in smooth muscle tone (the process affects all internal organs, not just the intestines).
What symptoms should I look out for?
Symptoms of intestinal atony can be different. In this case, everything depends on the stage of development of the disease and the degree of weakening of the walls of the digestive tract:
- The main sign of atony is constipation. Such a violation is said in the event that defecation occurs less than once every 2-3 days. Problems with emptying are directly related to the violation of the peristalsis of the intestinal wall.
- Patients complain of bloating, discomfort and even abdominal pain. The list of symptoms also includes flatulence.
- Since the processes of assimilation of the gland are disturbed against the background of atony, the development of anemia is possible. The disease is accompanied by severe weakness, insomnia, increased irritability, dizziness. The patient's skin turns pale.
- After prolonged constipation, hard fecal stones form in the intestines, which can damage the mucous membrane of the rectum (small bleeding is possible during bowel movements).
- Due to the accumulation of feces in the intestines putrefactive processes are activated. Toxins and harmful substances enter the bloodstream, which is accompanied by fever, nausea, weakness and other symptoms of intoxication.
- Atonia and constipation lead to disruption of the composition of the intestinal microflora. This is fraught with a significant decrease in the activity of the immune system, as well as allergic reactions.
If these signs appear, you should definitely consult a doctor. Under no circumstances should it be ignoredproblem.
How dangerous is intestinal atony?
In no case should you ignore such a disease. Left untreated, intestinal atony can lead to dangerous consequences.
Feces accumulate in the intestines, which sometimes leads to the formation of fecal stones. In addition, if there is no bowel movement for a long time, then toxins begin to accumulate in the body, which in some cases enter back into the bloodstream. The absorption of vitamins and some other useful substances occurs precisely in the large intestine - atony is often associated with severe forms of beriberi.
Chronic constipation can lead to the development of hemorrhoids, the formation of anal fissures. It is believed that intestinal atony in the absence of timely therapy increases the risk of developing cancer. It has been proven that such a pathology, in the presence of other prerequisites, can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases.
And do not forget that constant constipation is accompanied by discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating, and this simply cannot but affect the emotional and mental state of the patient.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnosis is extremely important in this case. The doctor needs not only to confirm the presence of atony, but also to find out the causes of its occurrence.
- An anamnesis is obligatory. During a general examination, the doctor collects information not only about the presence of certainsymptoms, but also about the patient's lifestyle, daily diet and other aspects. On palpation, you can see that the patient's abdomen is swollen.
- Coprogram is being carried out. Fecal masses are examined for traces of blood, as well as helminths and protozoa. Sometimes bacteriological culture is additionally performed (this helps to assess the composition of the natural microflora, to determine the presence of a fungal or bacterial infection).
- Patients are shown irrigoscopy and contrast radiography - this helps the doctor evaluate the work of the intestine, determine the presence of organic lesions.
- Sometimes, a colonoscopy (with the help of endoscopic equipment the doctor examines the colon) and a biopsy (if malignant neoplasms are suspected) are additionally performed.
Drug therapy: what helps with atony?
Treatment of intestinal atony must be comprehensive. Depending on the presence of certain symptoms, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate medication:
- Pancreatin, Festal and other enzyme medicines are widely used to improve digestion.
- In the presence of bloating, patients are prescribed "Espumizan" - the drug reduces the volume of gases formed, thereby relieving discomfort in the abdomen.
- "Prozerin" with intestinal atony is also effective. This medicine improves neuromuscular conduction, accelerates the process of transmission of nerve impulses to the intestinal wall, thereby increasing motility. The drug is used onlyin a hospital setting.
- Metoclopramide will also help to strengthen intestinal motility.
- Laxatives are sometimes used. A good option in this case is Regulax, which contains senna extract. The medicine softens the stool and facilitates the process of their discharge.
Of course, only a doctor can select drugs for intestinal atony. Do not try to cope with the disease yourself.
Proper diet for atony patients
Diet for intestinal atony is extremely important. With the help of a properly formulated diet, you can relieve the burden on the digestive organs and improve intestinal motility:
- Sugar, pastries, fatty meats and other high-calorie foods should be excluded from the diet.
- Carrots, boiled beets, pumpkin, bran bread, greens, as well as plums, dried apricots, prunes are useful for constipation.
- It is worth giving up fruits and berries that have an astringent effect. Pears, dogwood, blueberries, pomegranates have such properties.
- It is recommended to limit the amount of foods such as radishes, cabbage, garlic, legumes, mushrooms, radishes, onions in the diet, as they irritate the intestinal mucosa and activate gas formation processes.
- Sour-milk products will help improve digestion. The menu must include kefir, yogurt, yogurt. They not only help fight constipation, but also support the vital activity of beneficial intestinal microflora.
- In the diet you can and shouldinclude broths, meat and fish, but only low-fat varieties. They are best baked or steamed - fried foods are banned.
- Porridges will be useful, in particular, millet, buckwheat, barley.
- The menu needs to be enriched with vegetable oils. Before going to bed, doctors recommend taking a spoonful of olive (or other) vegetable oil - this will help eliminate stool problems.
- Chocolate, coffee, strong tea, rice and rich broths should be abandoned at least for a while.
- It is very important to follow the drinking regimen. You need to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of pure water per day. Doctors recommend drinking a glass of non-carbonated mineral water in the morning - this will help start intestinal motility.
- Food should not be too hard, cold or, conversely, hot - it only irritates the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Other therapeutic interventions
As already mentioned, intestinal atony requires an integrated therapeutic approach. In addition to diet, physical activity is an important part of treatment. Suitable for swimming, long walks. Useful are exercises that are aimed at strengthening the abdomen. The contraction of the abdominal wall stimulates the intestines, helps to get rid of gases, improves blood circulation.
In addition, regular massage of the abdomen will be useful - it is better to entrust an experienced massage therapist.
Intestinal atony: folk remedies
You already know why the disease develops and howaccompanied by symptoms. Medical treatment of intestinal atony, coupled with the right diet, will certainly have an effect. But therapy can be supplemented with some home-made remedies (with the permission of the doctor, of course):
- Large leaf green tea is a good remedy for intestinal atony. The leaves need to be crushed in a coffee grinder, and the resulting “Dust” should be taken four times a day (before meals) in half a teaspoon.
- A decoction of flax seeds is also considered useful, which, by the way, has a beneficial effect not only on the intestines, but also on the mucous membranes of the stomach. A tablespoon of seeds should be poured with a glass of hot water, then put on fire and bring to a boil. The dishes are then covered with a lid, wrapped in a terry towel or blanket and infused for an hour. The broth does not need to be filtered - the medicine is taken together with the seeds, three tablespoons three times a day.
- Helps and a decoction of dry herb succession (sold in a pharmacy). Two tablespoons of raw materials are poured into 0.5 liters of water, put on a small fire and brought to a boil. The broth should be infused for at least 30 minutes - then it can be filtered. The medicine is taken twice a day in a glass.
- Porridge made from pumpkin will help to cope with constipation.
- From time to time it is worth preparing a salad of boiled beets with prunes, dressing it with vegetable oil - this also helps to establish the process of bowel movement.
Of course, before using any traditional medicine, you need to consult a specialist.
Prevention: howprevent the development or complication of the disease?
Unfortunately, there are no specific drugs that would make it possible to avoid the development of the disease. Prevention in this case comes down to very simple measures:
- The right diet is important. The diet must contain vitamins, minerals and vegetable fibers that stimulate intestinal motility. By the way, some foods (for example, beets, prunes) help to cope with constipation and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
- Therapeutic exercises, regular walks, swimming, in a word, any physical activity will have a positive effect on the work of the intestines.
- Of course, all diseases of the digestive tract must be adequately treated in a timely manner.
When you notice a symptom of intestinal atony, you should definitely consult a specialist. The sooner therapy is started, the less likely it is to develop various complications.
