Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are a common problem. Improper nutrition, skipping meals and poor ecology negatively affect its work. All these reasons cause not only gastritis, but also other, no less dangerous diseases. Catarrhal duodenitis has become widespread in recent years. What it is? What causes it to appear? By what symptoms can the disease be recognized and how can it be cured? We will answer these questions in this article.
Catarrhal duodenitis: what is it?
Just by the name of the disease it is difficult to determine which part of the gastrointestinal tract it affects. In fact, in medicine, this is what they call an inflammatory lesion of the duodenum, which is in an acute form. This organ is necessary for us to digest food. When it gets there, it is processed by the juices coming from the pancreas. Also, the duodenum is responsible for the production of hormones, so its inflammation greatly affects the patient's well-being. And although the catarrhal form is considered acute, with timely treatment it is easy to cure. In thatcase, only the upper layer of the mucosa becomes inflamed. Sometimes this disease is also called superficial duodenitis.
Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of this pathology. It can develop at any age and is often found even in young children.
Types of diseases
Catarrhal duodenitis affects only the surface layer of the duodenal mucosa. But it is also conventionally divided into several types. Pathology that occurs without a pronounced deterioration in the patient's condition is called asymptomatic. As a rule, the patient is unaware of its presence and it can only be diagnosed during an examination by a doctor. This type is especially common in young children, who may have had duodenitis for several years without being aware of it.
Catarrhal duodenitis can develop into chronic only in the absence of timely treatment. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the disease, you should seek help from a doctor.
Depending on the symptoms, duodenitis is usually divided into the following types:
- Neuro-vegetative. The patient suffers not only from the typical symptoms of the disease, but also from headaches, dizziness, severe weakness and anxiety.
- Gastro-like.
- Cholecystitis.
- Ulcer-like.
- Mixed. With exacerbation, there are many different symptoms that are uncharacteristic of duodenitis. This complicates the diagnosis of the disease.
There is another classification. Viewdisease in this case depends on the degree of inflammation. Focal catarrhal duodenitis is diagnosed if the inflammation has affected certain areas, and not the entire mucosa. If it has erosion, then it is called erosive. Flagmetal duodenitis is diagnosed if there is pus on the mucosa.
Causes of disease
This is a fairly common pathology that is diagnosed in both adults and children. There are many causes of catarrhal duodenitis, but often the bacterium Helicobacter pylori provokes its appearance. It accumulates on the walls of the mucosa and irritates it, causing inflammation. In addition, because of it, the patient usually suffers not only from duodenitis, but also from other concomitant diseases: gastritis, cholecystitis, reflux esophagitis and others.
As a rule, these bacteria enter the body due to poor hygiene. The following reasons increase the risk of developing duodenitis:
- Wrong diet. The constant consumption of fatty, spicy and fried foods increases the risk of developing inflammation. Fasting and overeating are also harmful. Abuse of strong tea or coffee on an empty stomach can also provoke duodenitis.
- Persistent stress and nervous breakdowns, as well as lack of sleep and overwork.
- Long term use of certain medications, including pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.
- Bad environment or work in unfavorable places can contribute to a decrease in immunity, which will lead to activemultiplication of bacteria and the development of inflammation.
- Alcohol and cigarette abuse.
- Not fully cured or neglected gastritis.
Main symptoms of duodenitis
The disease has no specific symptoms, so it is easy to confuse it with other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Only a doctor can diagnose its presence, he must also prescribe treatment. Symptoms of catarrhal duodenitis can also have varying degrees of severity. Some patients do not notice a strong deterioration in well-being. Others, on the contrary, need urgent treatment.
Duodenitis can be recognized by the following features:
- Severe pain in the epigastric region. It may worsen about 2 hours after eating fatty, fried or spicy foods.
- Nausea and increased salivation, which can develop into vomiting. After it, the patient usually feels better.
- Heartburn and an unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth that appears 2-3 hours after eating.
- Persistent bloating and stool disorders. As a rule, a patient with advanced duodenitis suffers from alternating constipation and diarrhea.
- Lack of appetite leading to weight loss if left untreated.
- General deterioration of well-being. Due to inflammation of the mucosa, food cannot be absorbed properly. Therefore, patients also suffer from headaches, general weakness. They become irritable and tire quickly.
How to diagnose duodenitis?
When yourhe alth, the patient should consult a therapist. It will help to accurately diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment. As a rule, the symptoms of duodenitis can be easily confused with other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, self-medication is not recommended.
Diagnosis of catarrhal duodenitis begins with a general examination and history taking. The doctor is interested in the localization and strength of pain, asks how long such symptoms have been observed. If duodenitis is suspected, he may prescribe the following studies:
- Blood test. The patient takes it to find out if there is an inflammatory process in his body.
- FGDS. This is the most effective way to diagnose the disease. With the help of an endoscope, a doctor can quickly assess the condition of the stomach and duodenum and determine if their mucous membranes are inflamed.
- Ultrasound of the abdomen.
- In some cases, an additional test is prescribed to help determine the presence of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium.
- Stool analysis.
- To assess the motor function of the duodenum, fluoroscopy is sometimes additionally prescribed.
How to treat the disease?
Inflammatory lesion of the duodenum always requires timely treatment. It can only be prescribed by a doctor after an appropriate diagnosis. What should be done to treat duodenitis?
First of all, the doctor prescribes to the patient a number of drugs that will help relieve inflammation and relieve unpleasant symptoms. Definitely neededfollow a diet, otherwise the treatment may be ineffective. To speed up the healing process, you can also use traditional medicine, but only after consulting a doctor.
Drug therapy
Drugs are the most effective way to treat duodenitis. If the disease is caused by Helicobacter pylori, then the patient must necessarily drink a course of antibiotics. Otherwise, after a while, the symptoms of the disease may return.
To relieve pain and discomfort in the epigastrium, the patient is prescribed antispasmodic drugs. Medicines that lower the acidity of the gastric enzyme will help cure the inflammation. It irritates the inflamed duodenal mucosa, causing severe pain. To protect it, enveloping preparations can also be used. They form a film that covers the mucosa. These medications should be taken before meals.
The duration of the course of drug therapy will depend on the severity of the disease. As a rule, it is enough to drink prescribed drugs for 2-3 weeks to recover from duodenitis, if it is not started.
Diet
What is it - catarrhal duodenitis? This question is asked by many patients, fearing that they will have to treat this disease for a long time. But in fact, drug therapy in combination with a diet helps to quickly alleviate the patient's condition.
As a rule, duodenitis causes improper nutrition. Therefore, in order to recover, the patient mustFirst of all, change your diet. With damage to the duodenum, you need to eat only soft food at room temperature. From the menu you need to exclude any spicy, fatty or fried foods. The patient should not eat fast food, convenience foods, or drink alcohol. It is also advisable to give up cigarettes. Meals should be fractional, so you need to eat often, but in small portions. It is recommended to eat at least 5 times a day. With duodenitis, it is useful to eat cereals, pureed fresh vegetables and fruits, jelly. All dishes are best cooked in a steam or water bath.
Folk remedies
What is it - catarrhal duodenitis? Can it be cured with traditional medicine? These questions are asked by many people. Unconventional remedies can indeed speed up recovery, but they should only be used as an adjunct therapy. Various decoctions that have an anti-inflammatory effect are often prescribed. So, with duodenitis, you can take infusions of chamomile or nettle. Decoctions of mint or centaury have an analgesic and sedative effect. You can buy them at a pharmacy. In summer, you can collect and dry the plants yourself.
Forecast
Many patients, having heard the diagnosis, are wondering why catarrhal duodenitis is dangerous. Since this disease affects only the superficial part of the mucosa, it is easily treatable. As a rule, relief of the patient's condition occurs immediately after the start of therapy. You can fully recover in 3-4 weeks of taking medication.drugs. The exact recovery time will depend on the severity of the duodenitis. A change in the patient's lifestyle and diet has a great influence on improving well-being.
In the absence of timely treatment, the catarrhal form can develop into a chronic one. In the future, the development of complications, including ulcerative lesions, is also possible.
Prevention of duodenitis
To prevent the recurrence of the disease, it is enough to follow simple preventive rules. First, you need to carefully monitor your diet. Limit your intake of fatty, spicy and fried foods. Try to drink less alcohol, as well as tea, soda, or strong coffee. Secondly, adhere to basic hygiene rules to prevent harmful bacteria from entering the body. Always wash your hands with soap and water before eating and thoroughly clean vegetables and fruits before eating.
It is also useful to strengthen your immunity. Get outdoors more often and don't forget to exercise. Stop taking anti-inflammatory drugs, or at least try not to take them on an empty stomach.
