How is inflammation of the small intestine treated? How to treat intestinal inflammation. Briefly about the disease

Inflammation of the small intestine (enteritis) is characterized by a decrease in its functionality and structural changes in the mucous (inner) membrane. This is one of the most common pathologies of the digestive system: according to statistics, almost every person has experienced its acute manifestation, and about 25% of the world's population suffers from a chronic form (to a greater or lesser extent).

The small intestine takes an active part in a number of stages of food processing. They include suction nutrients immediately or after the glands with the secreted enzymes (enzymes) pre-procalyze the hydrolysis of complex food components, which will lead to the formation of smaller ones. When the small intestine is inflamed, these functions are impaired. That is why enteritis is a serious danger not only for gastrointestinal tract(Gastrointestinal tract), but also for the whole organism.

Depending on the place of preferential localization of the inflammatory process, enteritis is divided into 4 types:

The disease rarely develops in isolation: the organs of the gastrointestinal tract are closely interconnected with each other (in fact, they represent a single long canal), because often the inflammatory process also affects other nearby areas:

By the nature of the flow, enteritis is divided into 2 types:

The disease affects a person throughout life: the first type is most common in children, and the second in adults. The chronic form is the result of a neglected condition, incompetent treatment or its complete absence.

Important! Chronic enteritis has a "wave-like" course: after a long period of incomplete (partial) or complete remission, as a rule, an exacerbation phase begins. Such leaps are often mistaken for an acute form of injury.

The main symptoms of enteritis

The general picture of inflammation consists of two pathogenetically determined aggregate signs (symptom complexes), which can manifest themselves both from the side of the intestine alone, and from the side of the whole organism.

Table. Local symptoms of enteritis.

Table. Common symptoms of enteritis.

Reference! Symptoms of enteritis are not specific - they are typical for many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as a result of which it is unacceptable to diagnose yourself on your own. Only a gastroenterologist can determine the cause of poor health and prescribe treatment after an appropriate examination.

Small intestine inflammation treatment

Patients with a severe chronic or acute form of enteritis undergo therapy only in a hospital, with mild and moderate ones - they can limit themselves to treatment at home (at the discretion of the doctor).

To alleviate the acute condition of the patient before hospitalization, he needs to provide first aid:

The further treatment regimen depends on the causes and conditions of the onset (etiology) of inflammation: as a rule, therapy consists of strict adherence to the drinking regimen, diet and medication.

The order of drinking water in case of illness

Drinking plenty of fluids is the primary and most important condition for the successful treatment of acute enteritis, since the accompanying vomiting and diarrhea remove a huge amount of fluid from the body.

To prevent dehydration, you must consume at least 1 tbsp. clean still water every hour (2.5–3 liters per day). If compliance with the drinking regimen is not enough, then (depending on the severity of the patient's condition), rehydration therapy can be prescribed:

After the end of the acute phase of the disease, it is recommended to use heated (+ 36 ... + 42 ° C) hydrocarbonate (HCO3–) water of low or medium mineralization (Borzhomi, Essentuki No. 4 and No. 17, Narzan, Smirnovskaya, Kislovodskaya ") 0.5-1 st. 3 times a day.

Conservative (drug) therapy

The use of drugs for inflammation of the small intestine is aimed at two goals: eliminating the root cause and combating the consequences of damage.

Enteritis is a polyetiological disease, that is, it develops under the influence of many different in essence factors, one of which is the infection of the body. In this case, treatment is prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen.

If there is no infection in the intestine, then symptomatic therapy is prescribed for the treatment of enteritis.

Important! The names of medicinal products are presented for informational purposes only. Before use, you must consult a specialist.

Maximum therapeutic effect from drug treatment enteritis is achieved with the help of parallel strengthening of the immune system by fortifying it. Since during the period of illness the full assimilation of vitamins in the intestine is impossible, it is preferable to use them in the form of injections: "Soluvit N", "Cernevit", "Beviplex", "Vitalipid N".

"Vitalipid N"

Diet food (table No. 2 and No. 4 according to M. I. Pevzner)

In case of inflammation of the small intestine, the patient is selected a nutritional system for 5-6 small portions per day with a reduced amount of salt (up to 8 g), carbohydrates (up to 250-420 g), including sugar (up to 45 g), fats (up to 70-100 g) ) and with the preservation of the maximum possible for assimilation of the proportion of protein (up to 100 g).

Diet for enteritis is formed on the basis of diets developed by MI Pevzner - table number 2 (for chronic form) and table number 4 (for acute form).

Reference! When drawing up dietary menu it should be borne in mind that the culinary processing of permitted products should be as gentle as possible for the intestinal walls, both thermally (stewing, cooking, steaming, baking without a crust) and mechanically (grinding, puréing, very fine cuts).

After discharge from the hospital for remission, it is strongly recommended to follow the dietary regimen for another 2-3 months. The fragile digestive system at this time is supported by enzymes. After this period, you can gradually begin to add variety to the diet, gradually increasing the fat and carbohydrate content in the dishes.

Surgical intervention

Surgical treatment of enteritis is indicated only in the most difficult situations:

In practice, solving the problem of enteritis in this way is extremely rare: competent treatment of an acute condition will restore bowel function within 2–5 days (full recovery will occur in 1.5–2 weeks). It is much more difficult to eliminate chronic inflammation, since here the result depends on several factors: the duration of the disease, concomitant pathologies and the degree of damage to the gastrointestinal tract.

In particular neglected cases complications can lead to irreversible consequences - up to exhaustion, tissue necrosis and death. To prevent this, you need to carefully monitor your health: eat well, follow the rules of hygiene and anti-infectious protection. study the link.

Inflammation of the small intestine - another name for enteritis - is an extremely unpleasant disease that anyone can face. As a result of pathological changes, it is affected.

Enteritis is provoked by a number of reasons. Among them, the following are especially distinguished:

1. Improper nutrition

This should include systematic overeating, allergies to foodstuffs, excessive passion for spicy food or alcoholic beverages.

1. Impact on the body of medications that it cannot tolerate.

This applies to those cases when a person has been taking antibiotics or medications for a long time that have a side effect in the form of an effect on functioning.

1. Severe hypothermia;
2. Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
3. Adverse effects on the body of external factors.

The onset of any inflammation in the small intestine is associated with irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. At this moment, a person can already feel alarming symptoms and manifestations.

Symptoms of the disease

Since the small intestine plays not only a direct role in the digestive process, but also takes part in other vital processes (read more about this), any failures in its work immediately affect the entire well-being of a person and his health.

If the symptoms described below are found in themselves, the patient should definitely seek advice from a gastroenterologist.

The obvious manifestations of enteritis include:

• the appearance of abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• vomit;
• the development of diarrhea;
• malaise, general weakness;
• there is a sharp increase in body temperature;
• chills and fever may appear;
• there is a possibility of collapse.

With any attempt to probe the abdominal cavity, an uncharacteristic rumbling can be heard in the intestines.

In the female half, as another clear sign of the presence of inflammation in the small intestine, menstruation failure is considered. In addition, a dramatic reduction in weight is noticeable.

Important! In a situation of significant deterioration in well-being, the patient should seek emergency medical help as soon as possible, since such a condition is life-threatening.

Why enteritis is dangerous

Doctors-gastroenterologists classify this ailment as extremely dangerous for the life and health of the patient. If the appeal to the clinic is postponed, thereby delaying the start of treatment, the consequences may be irreversible.

So, the development of enteritis can lead to:

• to internal intestinal bleeding, leading to death;
• to necrosis, when the tissues of the intestinal section begin to die off.

Ignoring the inflammatory process in this part of the intestine leads to the development of a chronic stage when they cannot perform their functions, and the digestive process will be seriously impaired.

Diagnosis of the disease

Treatment of enteritis can be started only after the diagnosis is confirmed. For this, the necessary examination should be carried out, consisting of:

• general blood test;
• stool analysis;
• X-ray examination to determine the presence or absence of tumors in the small intestine;
• carrying out endoscopy of one of the departments of the duodenum.

In the case when it comes to the development of a toxic and severe form of inflammation, the patient needs to be hospitalized immediately.

Treatment of inflammation in the small intestine

After the diagnosis has been confirmed, the doctor prescribes a treatment course. It is well known, but you do not need to self-medicate and take pills without consulting a specialist.

1. In cases where enteritis is caused by an infection, antibiotic therapy is required. It includes taking medications that help restore the intestinal microflora.
2. In some cases, experts prescribe tablets with a coating function and capable of lowering acidity.
3. If there is the development of an acute form of enteritis, then one cannot do without gastric lavage in order to remove toxins. After such a procedure, the patient is advised to drink plenty of fluids and no food during the first and second days. Subsequently, as soon as the nausea and vomiting disappear, you can take crackers, drink rice broth or from vegetables in pureed form, it is allowed to eat semolina and jelly.
4. It is allowed to use folk remedies as a treatment. For example, you can drink a decoction of oak bark or flax seeds, they have an enveloping effect and are natural absorbents. To stop inflammation, it is worth preparing a chamomile broth, tincture of galangal and propolis.
5. Often, doctors recommend fasting, which later turns into a strict diet that is low in fat, sugar and foods that increase the production of bile.

Inflammation of the small intestine is an insidious disease that cannot be ignored. It is important to recognize the disease in a timely manner and take all the necessary measures to eliminate it.

The intestine is considered one of the most important elements of the gastrointestinal tract, consisting of the large and small intestines. The main purpose of this organ is to digest food and break it down to elementary compounds by digestive enzymes... Inflammation of the intestines, the symptoms and treatment of which are extremely unpleasant and prolonged, is considered one of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, regardless of gender and age.

Causes

Inflammatory processes in the intestines arise as a result of various causes, divided into several groups:

Inflammatory processes in the intestine, depending on their duration, causes of occurrence and place of formation, are divided into several types.

According to the place of formation of inflammation, the following are distinguished:

• Rectum;
• Large intestine;
• The duodenum;
• The cecum;
• Sigmoid.

The duration of inflammation varies:

• Acute inflammation, lasting up to 1 month;
• Chronic lasting up to six months.

Due to the formation of inflammation, they are divided into:

• Infectious, which can be caused by any pathogen;
• Non-infectious, the causes of which are all other factors.

Rectum

An unpleasant disease such as inflammation of the rectum, or proctitis, can occur as a result of the following reasons:

• The use of spicy and salty foods, alcoholic beverages, passion for fast food, non-compliance with a certain diet;
• Diseases such as hemorrhoids and regular constipation;
• Sexually transmitted diseases and diseases of the pelvic organs;
• Weakened immunity.

To restore and maintain the proper level of immunity, you need to monitor your health, avoid stress, and take vitamins.

Proctitis can be detected in two forms - acute and chronic. In acute proctitis, only the superficial part of the mucous membrane is affected. If treatment is ignored, the acute form of proctitis becomes chronic, in which the entire mucous membrane of the rectum is affected. If rectal inflammation is detected, symptoms and treatment are different for different types of it.

Acute proctitis is characterized by the following symptomatic manifestations:

• Pain in the groin and rectum, especially during emptying;
• The presence of blood and purulent components in the feces;
• Fever
• Deterioration in health;
• Regular diarrhea or constipation.

Chronic proctitis manifests itself in this way:

• Recurrent pain in the rectum and anus;
• Persistent constipation;
• The presence of mucus during bowel movements.

Duodenum

The cause of the formation of inflammation in the duodenum (duodenitis) is considered to be mucosal injury that occurs when stomach contents enter the intestine with increased acidity.

Inflammation of the duodenum is caused by the following factors:

• Food poisoning;
• Excessive passion for spicy food and alcoholic beverages;
• Damage to the mucous membrane by a foreign object.

Chronic inflammation is caused by diseases of the digestive system:

• Acute and chronic hepatitis;
• Cholecystitis;
• Gastritis and stomach ulcers;
• Chronic bowel disease of unknown etiology;
• Giardiasis;
• Pancreatic tumors;
• Whipple's syndrome;
• Intestinal ischemia;
• Unpleasant sensations in the stomach, nausea, bloating.

One of the main causes of duodenitis should be called a bacterial infection arising from Helicobacter pylori, a special microorganism that also causes gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases.

Inflammation of the duodenum may not manifest itself for a long time, proceeding without any alarming symptoms for the body. However, some symptoms of the disease periodically appear:

• Decreased appetite and poor digestion;
• Feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, unreasonable feeling of overeating;
• Manifestation of flatulence, belching, diarrhea;
• Anemia, as evidence of internal bleeding;
• Pain in the upper and middle abdomen;
• Recurrent vomiting and nausea;
• Pain that occurs on an empty stomach and at night, radiating to the sternum.

The main cause of inflammation of the sigmoid colon (sigmoiditis) should be sought in the specifics of the intestinal anatomy. The risk of the formation of inflammatory processes is the higher, the more convolutions the intestine has, because its contents can stagnate and prevent the passage of feces. The causes of inflammation can be proctitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, as well as dysbiosis and various kinds intestinal infections... Most cases are associated with poor blood circulation in some parts of the colon. Sigmoiditis can lead to serious consequences in the form of serious diseases Gastrointestinal tract.

Serious treatment is necessary if inflammation of the sigmoid colon is found, the symptoms of which are as follows:

• Sharp pain on the left side of the chest;
• Throbbing pains radiating into left leg and in the lower back;
• Regular rumbling and bloating in the abdomen;
• Frequent bowel movements with loose stools pungent odor, the presence of pus in the feces;
• Nausea and persistent vomiting;
• Fever with symptoms of poisoning.

Chronic sigmoiditis is characterized by a constant feeling of bloating and painful defecation, insomnia, rapid fatigue and irritability of the patient.

Symptoms of chronic sigmoiditis may subside for a while and then worsen again. Relapse can be caused by:

• Physical activity, stress;
• Non-compliance with the diet;
• Hypothermia of the body;
• Injuries;
• Infections.

Cecum

Inflammation of the cecum (typhlitis) with its symptomatic manifestations is very similar to appendicitis, except for the time of onset of pain. With typhlitis, pain occurs a couple of hours after eating in the iliac region.

The patient should take his lifestyle very seriously if inflammation is found in the cecum, the symptoms of which are as follows:

• The appearance of blood impurities in the feces;
• Fatigue and general weakness;
• Anemia;
• Change in the usual bowel movement schedule;
• Dramatic weight loss;
• Increased flatulence;
• Regular pain in the lower abdomen.

Colon

One of the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is inflammation of the colon or colitis. The causes of colitis are considered to be infections, unhealthy diet, and ingestion of poisons used in everyday life and industry.

This type of disease can also arise as a separate, due to disorders in the immune system or be the result of some dysfunctions of the stomach and small intestine.

Medicine distinguishes between four types of colon inflammation:

• Spicy;
• Chronic;
• Ulcerative;
• Spastic.

If such a diagnosis as inflammation of the large intestine is made, the symptoms, its treatment are different for its different types.

The following symptoms are inherent in acute colitis:

• Recurrent abdominal pain with unstable stools
• The appearance of mucus and blood impurities in the feces;
• Lethargy and increased temperature against the background of the general malaise of the patient;
• Painful urge to defecate.

With insufficient therapy or its absence, acute colitis can turn into chronic, the symptoms of which are in many ways similar to acute, however, treatment is much longer in time and more complicated. The main signs of chronic colitis are:

• Cramping abdominal pain;
• Weakness and nausea;
• Lack of desire to eat;
• Increased abdominal volume and flatulence.

Ulcerative colitis- This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the large intestine with ulcers. This inflammation can develop over a long period of time with periodic exacerbations. The most common symptom of this disease is lower abdominal pain, which manifests itself in periodic attacks. After a short period of time, defecation takes place with blood, and the amount of blood secreted often reaches 300 ml at a time.

With exacerbations, the blood can flow in a whole stream, which leads to a sharp decrease in blood pressure. Probably and distension of the colon with the formation of peritonitis.

With spastic colitis, the patient's feces come out in the form of small dense lumps. With such a symptom, it is necessary to carry out the necessary tests and examination of the patient using special equipment.

With intestinal inflammation, treatment is prescribed depending on the causes of the disease and the expressed symptoms. Treatment can be carried out by such methods:

• Medications;
• Medical nutrition;
• Phototherapy.

In the treatment of inflammation medicines have a pathogenetic, etiotropic and symptomatic effect.

Etiotropic drugs are prescribed to eliminate the cause of the disease. For infectious causes, antibiotics are prescribed that act locally. Anthelmintics are prescribed when a helminthic invasion is detected. If ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease is detected, cytostatics glucocorticoid hormonal agents are prescribed. To eliminate inflammatory processes, sulfa and mesalazines are used in the form of foam, tablets, suppositories. When prescribing suppositories, the effectiveness of the active substance increases significantly, and the risk of occurrence side effects is reduced to a minimum. Also, for the speedy healing of erosions and ulcers, the doctor prescribes suppositories and microclysters based on sea buckthorn oil.

Medicinal treatment should be carried out in conjunction with the strictest adherence to the diet. If inflammation is accompanied by diarrhea, the menu must include bananas, wheat bread, rice. In the presence of constipation, the diet includes dried fruits, vegetables, fruits, fermented milk drinks.

A diet for intestinal inflammation involves steaming food and only from natural ingredients. It is also allowed to eat stewed, boiled and baked dishes. It is necessary to strictly exclude fried and smoked dishes from the diet, as well as the use of various spices in their preparation, since the intestine to be healed should in no case be irritated. It is necessary to organize fractional meals- eat often and in small portions.

With intestinal inflammation, symptoms and treatment with folk remedies are also appropriate. They have a beneficial effect on the intestinal mucosa, especially in ulcerative colitis. For the preparation of these funds, plants are used that have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and regenerating properties. St. John's wort, chicory, sage, yarrow, chamomile, sage are widely used. If diarrhea is one of the symptoms, it is necessary to take products based on flax seeds and oak bark - they have an enveloping and astringent effect.

The small intestine is divided into three conditional sections: the duodenum, the ileum, and the jejunum. For various reasons, inflammatory processes can occur in these areas. Most often this is due to malnutrition, although there may be other reasons. If the duodenum becomes inflamed, the pathological process is called duodenitis. Inflammation of the jejunum is eyunitis, and inflammation of the ileum is ileitis.

Since most often the inflammatory process is diagnosed in all parts of the small intestine at the same time, in practice, a general term is used for this pathology - Enteritis. We will talk about this pathology today.

Why does inflammation of the small intestine occur, symptoms and treatment, folk remedies, what can be used for this disease? Let's find out all this right now:

The causes of inflammation of the small intestine

This inflammatory disease can occur for various reasons. The most common are the following etiological factors:

Long-term use of poor-quality food, irrational, monotonous diet, addiction to spicy, canned, fried foods.

Various food poisoning or allergies to certain foods, alcohol abuse. Bad influence alcohol on human health is so great that, in fact, the people taking it, official medicine in general must first “code” from its intake, and then treat it. But it should be so ideally ... It's just that the results of treatment without a complete rejection of alcohol are much weaker than with a complete rejection of it.

Enzymatic pancreatic insufficiency.

Some diseases: typhoid fever, symptoms of helminthic invasions, cholera, radiation sickness, fungal infection(geotrichosis), salmonellosis.

Long-term use of certain drugs, in particular, laxatives and antibiotics.

Intoxication with xenobiotics.

Small intestine inflammation symptoms

Usually the disease begins with duodenitis. The duodenum is directly connected to the stomach and therefore it is she who suffers first. If you do not take timely measures for treatment, inflammation quickly spreads to all parts of the intestine, enteritis occurs, which can be acute or chronic.

Signs of acute inflammation:

Patients complain of acute, cutting pain in the abdominal region. Often there is nausea, often with vomiting, diarrhea appears, and the temperature rises. In the presence of acute intoxication, symptoms of dehydration are observed, and loss of consciousness is possible.

Signs of chronic enteritis:

Patients complain of regular aching pains, a feeling of fullness in the intestines, bloating, increased gas production in the intestines. There is a decrease in appetite, general weakness, lethargy, and malaise appear.

Regular diarrhea, mushy, loose stools with pieces of undigested food may indicate the presence of enterocolitis (simultaneous inflammation of the small and large intestines). Additional signs of this pathology are: low blood pressure, symptoms of frequent urge to use the toilet, heart palpitations.

Small intestine inflammation treatment

Treatment always begins with an examination by a specialist gastroenterologist. After establishing the diagnosis, the doctor will recommend a special diet and prescribe the necessary medications.

In particular, the patient is given advice on how to comply with certain dietary restrictions. Alcohol in all its types and quantities is prohibited. Black bread, spicy, fatty, sour, canned foods, salinity, fried foods are excluded from the diet. Regarding frying ... Do animals eat something fried in nature? No! This means that nature did not assume this for the stomachs of all living organisms created by it. Cannot be consumed fresh vegetables and fruits with coarse fiber. The consumption of confectionery is limited.

Fractional meals are recommended - in small portions, up to 6 times a day. To restore water balance in case of diarrhea, it is recommended to increase the intake of pure, non-carbonated water. Rosehip decoction and blueberry jelly are very useful.

Acute enteritis is treated in a hospital setting. Patients are prescribed antimicrobial drugs, broad-spectrum antibiotics. If necessary, select another antibiotic, or use two drugs at once. Other medicines are also used. The effectiveness of treatment is judged by the improvement in the patient's condition.

Treatment chronic form it is always carried out for a long time. The diet will have to be followed throughout your life. You will have to give up alcohol forever, since even a small amount of alcohol nullifies all treatment. With this we, in principle, began our conversation. We recently wrote about how to stop drinking alcohol forever. You can use these guidelines.

The use of antibiotics for chronic enteritis is indicated only in the presence of severe inflammation associated with chronic infection.

Medicines used in the treatment:

In addition to antibiotics, depending on the form of enteritis, they are prescribed:

To remove intoxication: Gemodez, Reopolyglyukin;
- to eliminate pain: drugs - antispasmodics and Almagel A;
- anabolic steroids: Nerobol, Retabolil.
- probiotics to maintain intestinal flora: Bifido- and Lactobacterin, Bifikol, Narine.
- for stool normalization: Bismuth or Calcium Carbonate.
- in case of insufficient fermentation: Pancreatin, Festal, Creon, Digestal, Mezim-forte (the instructions for use of each drug before using them must be studied personally from the official annotation enclosed in the package!).

Also, patients are prescribed vitamin and mineral complexes. They are taken in long courses.

Inflammation of the small intestine - treatment with folk remedies

On the advice of a doctor, it is useful to use proven, effective folk recipes that perfectly complement the treatment prescribed by the doctor, and also reduce the risk of recurrence in chronic enteritis. Here is some of them:

To eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea and dysbiosis, healers recommend taking a decoction of oak bark. To prepare it, pour the crushed bark with water, boil for 20 minutes (for 40 g of raw materials - 1 liter of water). Drink the decoction of oak bark moderately hot, 100 ml (small coffee cup), every 3 hours. Remember to strain before taking.

In the evening, pour 2 full tablespoons of ground calamus root crushed to powder with a liter of warm water. Leave it until morning. Then boil at low temperature for 10 minutes. When cool, pour through cheesecloth into a jar. Drink in small sips throughout the day (up to 6 times a day)

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over 1 tsp of yellow dried tansy flowers. Cover with a saucer, insulate. When cool, strain. This remedy is taken 1 tablespoon every 2 hours.

Very often, kaolin (white clay powder) is used in the treatment of enteritis and colitis. Add freshly squeezed carrot juice (glass) to 1 tsp of powder. Stir well and drink a third of a glass, three times a day. Treatment - no more than 3 weeks. If necessary, you can repeat the clay intake after 10 days.

Many healers and doctors advise eating 2 ripe, red apples, grated without sugar, several times a day. This puree is very useful for chronic enteritis.

In conclusion, it should be noted that gastroenterologists consider inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small intestine to be an extremely dangerous disease for the general health and even the life of the patient. Untreated pathology is fraught with internal intestinal bleeding and tissue necrosis.

To prevent these dangerous complications, it is necessary to strictly follow the diet, take the prescribed medications, and also use folk remedies approved by the doctor. Be healthy!

The intestine is the longest human organ, measuring about four meters in an adult. It is divided into two main parts - the large and small intestine, and this structuring is not arbitrary, since both of these parts perform different functions.

The doctor can indicate the approximate localization of inflammation according to complaints

So, in the small intestine, under the influence of pancreatic enzymes, food is broken down and absorbed; the fat one is engaged in "packing" the waste food masses, taking away excess water from there. The symptoms of intestinal inflammation - its most common disease - will differ depending on the localization of the process, because it will be seen which function has suffered.

Terminology

Inflammation of the small intestine is called enteritis, and if the process is located only in its final part - the ileum, then the disease will be called ileitis.

When the inflammatory process is localized in the colon, it is called colitis. If the pathology concerns only the sigmoid colon, it is called sigmoiditis, if the rectum - proctitis.

Why is the intestine inflamed?

The causes of intestinal inflammation are conventionally divided into two large groups: infectious and non-infectious.

Infectious enterocolitis

Infectious include various:

Such microorganisms get into with unboiled water and milk consumed (as well as when water is swallowed when bathing), poor-quality food or food that has not undergone heat treatment. Viruses can enter through airborne droplets.

The peculiarity of infectious inflammatory processes is that they are contagious and can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through common dishes, food, toys and household items... They are called "diseases of dirty hands", since it is quite simple to avoid infection: wash your hands after communicating with a patient, before eating and after visiting a shared toilet.

Inflammation of the intestine, not associated with colonization of microbes

Non-infectious intestinal inflammation develops due to a huge number of reasons. It:

• errors in: "love" to alcohol, spicy and smoked food;
• decreased bowel tone;
• inflammation of nearby organs;
• taking medications;
• "Defects" of immunity, in which it begins to "attack" its own organs (such an autoimmune process is characteristic of Crohn's disease);
• violation of blood circulation in the intestine due to atherosclerotic or inflammatory processes in the arteries feeding it;
• poisoning with lead, heavy metals, arsenic, plant poisons;
• food allergy;
• irradiation of the intestine with gamma rays;
• as a reaction to surgery on the abdominal organs.

How does intestinal inflammation manifest?

Common symptoms of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa can be divided into the following syndromes:

1. Painful. The localization of inflammation can be assumed by the location of the pain zone:
   • if it hurts in the navel, this most likely indicates a disease of the small or initial sections of the large intestine;
   • lower pain - colon disease;
   • at the anus - rectal problems. This is not necessarily inflammation, it can be a symptom of hemorrhoids and anal fissure.
2. By the nature of the pain:
   • if the pain is constant, aching, the process is chronic;
   • if it has a circadian rhythm: increases in the first half of the night - ulcerative pathologies, in the morning - inflammation of the large intestine;
   • when the pain increases with shaking driving, defecation, walking, this indicates that the peritoneum or intestinal lymphatic apparatus is involved in the inflammation.
3. Intoxication syndrome: weakness, drowsiness, increased heart rate, nausea, loss of appetite, muscle pain, headaches. This is evidence in favor of the infectious process.
4. Diarrheal syndrome (diarrhea) can indicate both small intestinal and colonic localization. The type of feces matters.
5. Dry hair and skin, seized corners of the mouth, and bleeding gums indicate problems with the small intestine.
6. Change in color and consistency of feces.

To determine the localization of inflammation, it is important to indicate not only the area of ​​pain, but also other symptoms.

Let us consider separately the symptoms of diseases of the large and small intestines.

Enteritis

Inflammation of the small intestine can be acute or chronic.

A warning! Acute inflammation is more often of an infectious nature, and also develops in case of poisoning or allergic reaction... Chronic enteritis is most often caused by inaccuracies in the diet.

Symptoms of acute enteritis

The disease usually begins acutely, with the onset of the following symptoms:

• weakness;
• rumbling and pain in the abdomen, in the navel;
• diarrhea: up to 10 times a day;
• stool: thin, frothy, offensive;
• decreased appetite;
• dry skin;
• temperature rise is likely to occur;
• signs of dehydration may develop: severe weakness, confusion, convulsions, frequent weak pulse.

Chronic enteritis

With this disease, frequent loose stools are noted, which is accompanied by abdominal pain and rumbling of the intestines - during an exacerbation. In the period of remission, there is a decrease in the severity of these complaints up to their complete disappearance. The fact that the disease has not been stopped is indicated by signs of impaired intake of nutrients into the body: dryness, fragility and thinness of the skin, hair and nails, seizures, pallor, bleeding.

Colitis

Colon inflammation is also acute and chronic. Chronic colitis, depending on the nature of the inflammation in the intestine, has its own classification. All these pathological processes have different symptoms.

Acute colitis

It is characterized by the following features:

• abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• painful urge to defecate;
• decreased appetite;
• loss of body weight;
• feces - decorated, mucus and blood are visible in it;
• with an infectious lesion of the intestine - an increase in temperature.

Chronic ulcerative colitis

This is the name of the process in which ulcerative and erosive defects appear in the intestinal wall. It develops more often in women and is characterized by the following manifestations:

• abdominal pain, especially on the left side;
• constipation;
• during the subsiding of the disease, the feces are not liquid, fetid, blood is visible in it;
• with an exacerbation, abdominal pain, diarrhea, a person quickly loses body weight;
• joint pain often develops.

A warning! Under the symptoms of intestinal inflammation in women, diseases of the reproductive organs can be masked: pain in the right or left half of the abdomen can also be observed with inflammation of the appendages; diarrhea can accompany not only colitis or enteritis, but also inflammation of the uterus and appendages. Only a doctor can understand the causes of symptoms.

Chronic spastic colitis

It has different manifestations: one person may develop constipation, while another has diarrhea. Most people also experience abdominal pain, flatulence, and bloating. Spastic colitis is characterized by the disappearance of symptoms when relieving nervous tension, stress, lack of sleep.

Pseudomembranous inflammation of the colon

This name has an inflammatory process in the colon, which developed as a result of dysbiosis. Its symptoms are observed while taking antibiotics and after their withdrawal. They are as follows:

• frequent watery stools, mixed with mucus and blood;
• abdominal pain that worsens with bowel movements;
• slight increase in temperature;
• weakness;
• nausea;
• weight loss.

Proctitis and sigmoiditis

With inflammation of the lower part of the large intestine, which is isolated most often develops with prolonged use of antibiotics, trauma by foreign bodies, chemical or thermal burns, the following signs will be observed:

• pain in the rectal area, aggravated by bowel movements;
• discharge of blood and mucus from the anus;
• constipation;
• sensation of a foreign body in the anus;
• urge to defecate;
• body aches;
• feeling of incomplete emptying of the rectum during bowel movements.

Inflammation of the intestinal lymph nodes

If the intestinal inflammation had an infectious cause, but in some cases and as an independent disease, especially in children, inflammation of the intestinal lymph nodes may develop. These structures serve as a barrier to infection, and when too much of it comes in, or the microorganisms are too aggressive, the lymph nodes become inflamed. This is manifested as follows:

1. acute paroxysmal pains in the abdomen develop, especially in the lower right (as with appendicitis);
2. the temperature rises;
3. nausea and vomiting appear;
4. diarrhea or constipation occurs.

The pain in the abdomen lasts from several hours to three days and does not become more intense. With these symptoms, there is no deterioration in the general condition of a person, which would be with appendicitis or other surgical pathology.

How is the diagnosis made

The main method to establish the localization and type of the inflammatory process is endoscopic examination

In order to establish the type, cause, localization and nature of intestinal inflammation, the following studies are carried out:

1. general blood analysis;
2. coprogram - analysis of feces;
3. bacteriological examination of feces;
4. biochemical blood tests;
5. endoscopic examination of the intestine: can only be performed with lesions of the colon. It is called colonoscopy (if the entire colon is examined) or sigmoidoscopy (if only the rectum and sigmoid colon are examined). During this examination, a biopsy of the desired area may be performed;
6. X-ray examination of the intestine with contrast;
7. capsule endoscopy is performed to examine the entire intestine, including the small intestine. It is performed by swallowing a capsule equipped with a video camera by a person. It comes out naturally.

If, as a result of the diagnosis, any of the above diagnoses is confirmed, the question of treatment arises. It is prescribed by a doctor depending on the form and stage of the identified disease and, as a rule, includes a course of medications and a strict diet. But sometimes the patient's condition requires surgical intervention. V general outline we talked about the principles of treatment of the considered pathology in the article.