Enteritis is an inflammatory disease of the human small intestine, in which dystrophic changes occur in the mucous membrane and the processes of absorption and digestion of food are disturbed.
Enteritis - what is it? Types of enteritis
Chronic enteritis is classified according to etiology, morphology, clinical and functional symptoms.
According to etiology, parasitic, alimentary, infectious, toxic, radiation, postoperative and drug enteritis are distinguished. In addition, the disease manifests itself in congenital anomalies of the small intestine, insufficiency of the valve between the large and small intestines, enzymopathy, secondary enteritis.
According to anatomical and morphological changes, enteritis is isolated without serious mucosal disorders, as well as with a moderate or subtotal degree of atrophy of epithelial cells and intestinal villi.
Clinically, the disease manifests itself in a mild, moderate or severe form. In chronic enteritis, remission and exacerbation phases may occur. Since enteritis is an inflammatory disease, it is necessary to start treatment at the first signs.pathologies to maintain intestinal he alth.
Functional disorders are characterized by specific symptoms - malabsorption of nutrients in the intestine, changes in food hydrolysis, enteral insufficiency and exudative enteropathy.
Causes of disease development
There may be several reasons for the appearance of disorders in the small intestine:
- infectious pathogens, intestinal parasites that progress and multiply in the small intestine;
- toxic substances (arsenic, lead and others);
- self-medication, long-term use of antibiotics and other drugs;
- undertreated acute enteritis;
- insufficient chewing of food, malnutrition (eating spicy and fatty foods, fast food, overeating, food allergies);
- insufficient production of intestinal enzymes;
- presence of concomitant diseases (pancreatitis, tuberculosis, liver cirrhosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, hepatitis).
The lack of proper treatment for chronic enteritis will contribute to dystrophic changes and inflammation in other parts of the digestive system (pancreas, gallbladder, stomach).
Clinical picture of enteritis
The external manifestations of the disease include any disturbances in the absorption and assimilation of food. These include:
- sharp and rapid weight loss (a person loses up to 20 kg);
- appearance of insomnia, severe irritability;
- decreaselabor activity;
- skin problems (thinning, dryness, peeling), hair loss, thickening of the nail plate and brittleness;
- tachycardia;
- muscle pain, weakness, paresis and convulsions.
Due to malabsorption of vitamins, the development of concomitant diseases is possible - hemeralopia, neuropathy, myopathy, cheilitis, glossitis, subcutaneous hemorrhages.
Intestinal symptoms of enteritis
Enteritis in humans is characterized by the manifestation of abdominal pain in the navel, palpation intensifies the pain. The syndrome appears 2-3 hours after eating. The pain can have a different character (dull, arching, cramping).
This is due to malabsorption of bile acids in the distal small intestine. As a result, acids enter the large intestine and provoke a violation of the processes of absorption and digestion (diarrhea, bloating, flatulence, rumbling in the abdomen). It is these signs that enteritis manifests itself.
What is this? In case of malfunction of the ileocecal valve (separates the small and large intestines), hummus may enter the small intestine, due to which it is seeded with harmful microorganisms.
Diagnosis of disease
The primary diagnosis is made on the basis of a survey and a general examination of the patient, which includes palpation and percussion (percussion of the abdominal wall). The next step is to conduct a coprogram. In a macroscopic study, the smell, texture and color are determined, and inmicroscopic - the presence of fats, muscle fibers or starch in the analysis.
To identify infectious microorganisms and dysbacteriosis in the intestine, it is necessary to conduct a bacteriological study of feces for enteritis. What it is? In chronic enteritis, a biochemical blood test may show signs of insufficient absorption of nutrients in the small intestine (malabsorption syndrome).
Endoscopic examination of the small intestine causes many difficulties, since only a small part of it can be examined. During endoscopy, a biopsy of the mucous membrane is taken, which is necessary for histological analysis. In it, atrophy and dystrophy of epithelial cells and intestinal villi are most often noted.
X-ray examination reveals tumors, ulcers, changes in the structure of the folds of the small intestine. Before the study, a contrast agent is introduced into the body, which makes it possible to identify enteritis. What it is, the doctor will tell you. To differentiate the disease, a comprehensive examination using modern diagnostic methods is required.
The symptomatology of the disease has much in common with the clinical manifestations of other gastrointestinal pathologies. Therefore, differential diagnosis of enteritis with gastritis, pancreatic problems and tumors is necessary.
Any disease of the small intestine requires a thorough examination, since many similar symptoms lead to an incorrect diagnosis and the appointment of an ineffective, in some cases evendangerous treatment that could aggravate the condition of the small intestine.
Treatment of acute enteritis
Acute enteritis requires hospital treatment. Patients are prescribed a diet, bed rest, and plenty of fluids. Perhaps the appointment of hydration therapy. Treatment is aimed at general strengthening of the body and reducing the manifestation of unpleasant symptoms of the disease.
If enteritis is accompanied by a severe form of dysbacteriosis, it is necessary to take medications, the action of which is aimed at restoring the intestinal microflora. Elimination of diarrhea is carried out by taking astringents. If there is a violation of protein metabolism, it is necessary to introduce polypeptide solutions into the body.
The average duration of treatment is 7-10 days. During this time, acute symptoms of the disease stop, and he alth improves. Enteritis, the treatment of which lasts less, is not completely cured and provokes repeated manifestations of unpleasant and painful symptoms.
If the disease is toxic or infectious, the patient must be hospitalized.
Treatment of chronic enteritis
In chronic enteritis, the treatment is practically the same. You need the same diet and bed rest. In case of violation of the production of digestive enzymes, they are prescribed in the form of enzyme preparations ("Festal", "Pancreatin"). It is also necessary to take medications that ensure the absorption and restoration of the cell membranes of intestinal epithelial cells.
Enteritis, the treatment of which is carried out in accordance with the doctor's prescription, quickly ceases to bother. However, the chronic form is characterized by frequent phases of exacerbations and remissions.
Associated dysbacteriosis should be treated with eubiotics and probiotics that restore beneficial intestinal microflora. If the symptoms of enteritis occur against the background of the appearance of neoplasms in the small intestine (diverticula, polyps), then first of all, their surgical removal is necessary, and only after that it is possible to stop the manifestations of the disease.
Diet for enteritis
For enteritis, diet No. 4 is prescribed. It includes lean meat or fish that can be boiled, baked or fried. Be sure to cook soups on meat, fish, vegetable or mushroom broths. Vegetables are recommended to be finely chopped, in some cases even cereals should be rubbed through a sieve.
From dairy products, preference is given to kefir and yogurt. Such drinks allow you to quickly restore the intestines, improve its functioning and inhabit beneficial microorganisms.
Plant products are best consumed after heat treatment. Vegetables need to be boiled, baked or fried, and fruits can be boiled compote, jelly or rubbed with sugar. Tea with lemon, decoctions of wild rose, berries and bran will be very useful.
Prevention of enteritis
Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Measures to prevent intestinal enteritis include:
- rational nutrition;
- eating only quality and fresh products;
- absence of toxic substances in food (you can not eat berries and mushrooms of unknown origin);
- compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- meticulous food handling;
- taking medicines as prescribed by doctors;
- timely visits to medical facilities to detect gastrointestinal diseases, as well as endocrine and metabolic disorders in the body.
If all preventive measures are followed, the development of digestive diseases and disorders can be prevented, and a he althy lifestyle will allow you to maintain your he alth at the highest level.
Puppy enteritis
In dogs, the disease manifested itself relatively recently, but its progression provokes high mortality among puppies. An infection that affects the intestines of animals is not dangerous to humans, but quickly develops in the body of young dogs and causes serious structural and functional disorders.
Enteritis in a puppy is manifested by lethargy, fever, and when stroking the sides or pressing on the stomach area, the dog will arch its back and tighten its tail, which indicates a pain syndrome. With such symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian for an accurate diagnosis and treatment.
