Atonic colitis is a chronic disease of the large intestine. It is common among older people. Pathology is accompanied by inflammation of the gastrointestinal mucosa and difficulty defecation. Constant constipation can lead to serious intoxication of the body. Therefore, it is important for every person to know about the symptoms and treatment of atonic colitis in order to prevent serious complications in time. Next, we will consider in detail the causes and methods of treatment of this disease.
Forms of colitis
Colitis is an inflammation of the lining of the large intestine. There are several forms of this disease:
- atonic;
- spastic;
- hemorrhagic;
- ulcerative.
The most common is spastic and atonic colitis. What is the difference between these two forms of pathology?
Both types of disease are accompanied by severe constipation. Their symptoms are very similar. However, whenin atonic colitis of the intestine, a delay in defecation occurs due to weak peristalsis. The muscles of the gastrointestinal tract are in a relaxed state. Because of this, feces move very slowly through the intestines.
In spastic form of colitis, the intestinal musculature is very tense, which leads to spasms. For this reason, feces are retained and do not leave the body. This can lead to the formation of hard stool stones.
Reasons
Why does atonic colitis occur? This disease always begins with an inflammatory process, which can be triggered by the following factors:
- age-related changes;
- hereditary predisposition;
- past dysentery or salmonellosis;
- food allergy;
- abuse of spicy and starchy foods, as well as alcohol;
- foodborne diseases;
- sedentary lifestyle;
- taking medications (antibiotics, analgesics, heartburn medications).
At a young age, the cause of atony is most often a lack of physical activity. As a result of hypodynamia, the blood supply to the intestine worsens, and later inflammation occurs.
In the elderly, a chronic inflammatory process in the intestine leads to the death of mucosal cells. Due to a violation of tissue innervation, intestinal motility worsens and constipation occurs.
Symptomatics
The main symptom of atonic colitis is bowel problems. Patients suffer from constant constipation. This is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness in the abdominal cavity, flatulence, pain syndrome.
Patients may not have stools for 3 days or more. In this case, patients do not feel the urge to defecate. In severe cases, fecal stones form, which must be removed mechanically.
Complications
Intestinal atony can be complicated by intoxication of the body. A long delay in defecation leads to poisoning of the body with feces. This is accompanied by a deterioration in skin color, nausea, and vomiting. Patients begin to lose weight dramatically.
Clogging of the intestines with feces can cause chronic obstruction of the digestive tract. This leads to severe pain and requires immediate surgical treatment.
Also, with prolonged constipation, hemorrhoids can occur. Due to strong straining, prolapse of the hemorrhoid often occurs.
Diagnosis
At the initial examination, the doctor examines the history and palpates the patient's abdomen. In the abdominal region, at the same time, a seal is determined due to overcrowding of the intestine. If a patient is diagnosed with a severe blockage of the gastrointestinal tract, then he is urgently sent to the treatment room for treatment with water enemas.
Additional tests are also ordered:
- Colonoscopy. The large intestine is examined endoscopically. At the same time, a small piece of tissue is taken for microscopic examination.
- Ultrasound of the abdominal organs. This survey allowsidentify structural changes and inflammation of the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Blood test. An increase in ESR and white blood cell counts indicates an inflammatory process.
- Fecal analysis. Helps to identify the causative agent of inflammation (with infectious etiology of colitis).
Treatment methods
Treatment of atonic colitis begins with cleansing the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is necessary to free the intestines from feces and cleanse the body. For this purpose, therapy with water enemas and the drug "Microlax" (microclysters) are prescribed.
Next, you need to soften the feces and facilitate their discharge. However, these drugs should not be abused. Long-term use of laxatives leads to the fact that the intestine eventually weaned to work. In addition, tolerance is developed to the drugs, and the previous doses soon cease to work.
Therefore, laxatives can be taken only occasionally, when it is urgent to cleanse the body. Mild oil and herbal preparations are prescribed:
- "Senade";
- "Kafiol";
- "Mukofalk";
- "Castor oil";
- candles with petroleum jelly, glycerin or fennel oil.
Prokinetics are prescribed to stimulate motor skills. These drugs interact with choline receptors and increase peristalsis. These drugs include:
- "Neostigmine".
- "Prozerin".
- "Loperamide".
- "Cisapride".
- "Metoclopramide".
- "Bethanechol".
Additionally prescribed physiotherapy procedures:
- abdominal massage;
- warming up the abdominal cavity;
- gymnastics for abdominal muscles.
These activities help cleanse the intestines. For severe blockages, stool stones are removed surgically.
Diet
Atonic colitis patients are prescribed a special diet. The following dietary guidelines are recommended:
- Spicy foods, smoked meats and preservatives should be excluded from the diet.
- Food should be boiled or steamed. Fried foods should be avoided.
- You should try to eat as many dairy products as possible. They increase intestinal motility and positively affect the microflora.
- It is necessary to limit the consumption of bakery products. Starchy foods can cause constipation.
- Black tea, coffee and carbonated sweet water are excluded from the diet. These drinks can cause constipation.
- Gastroenterologists recommend eating dried fruits. Such food is able to swell in the intestinal lumen and increase the contractions of its walls.
- Include fiber-rich vegetables in your daily diet. These include zucchini, cabbage, carrots, beets.
You need to eat at least 5 - 6 times a day. I'm goingshould be taken in small doses. Under no circumstances should you overeat. Eating too much can cause persistent constipation.
It is very important to observe the correct drinking regimen. Drink at least 2 - 2.5 liters of fluid per day.
It is useful to periodically use a wheat bran remedy. You need to take 2 tablespoons of the product and place it in a glass of warm milk. The composition is insisted for half an hour. This mixture should be eaten every day before breakfast. This tool helps to improve intestinal motility.
Prevention
How to prevent atonic colitis? To avoid problems with bowel movements, you must adhere to the following recommendations:
- Be active. Low mobility leads to a serious deterioration in intestinal motility.
- Regularly do gymnastics to strengthen the abdominal muscles.
- Do not abuse starchy foods. spicy and fried foods.
- Over the age of 55 visit a gastroenterologist regularly.
Following these steps will help avoid bowel problems.
