Enteritis
Enteritis is a gastroenterological disease characterized by inflammation of the small intestine with a violation of its functioning and the development of a characteristic clinical picture.
Enteritis is also treated not as the main disease, but as a general group of diseases, the main object of pathology of which is the work and condition of the small intestine.
First of all, enteritis develops as a result of the penetration of pathogenic microflora. The most common pathogens of enteritis are helminths, protozoa, parasites and bacteria. In second place is the impact of aggressive chemicals. In third place among the causes of disorders of the functioning of the small intestine are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract as a whole, disorders of enzyme synthesis, metabolic dysfunctions and others.
Depending on the causal factors, enteritis will develop in an acute or chronic type.
CAUSES OF ENTERITIS
Enteritis may occur not as an independent disease, but as a clinical symptom of a more serious pathology. For example, with infections such as typhoid fever, cholera, salmonellosis and other similar pathological process occurs directly in the small intestine.
Poisoning with heavy metal salts also has a direct toxic effect on the walls of the small intestine. Poisoning with inedible poisonous mushrooms should also be included in this group.
Some types of food allergies and addictions to spicy food can provoke the development of inflammation in the small intestine.
All these reasons are mainly related to acute enteritis. Chronic enteritis is caused by various kinds of worm infestations, systematic use of harmful, toxic substances. In rare cases, enteritis develops as a result of chemotherapy, radiation exposure (in the presence of cancer).
CLASSIFICATION OF ENTERITIS
In such a group of diseases as enteritis, there are several types of classification. The first group is determined by causality and includes:
Toxic
Parasitic (helminthic)
Infectious
Alimentary (associated with the insufficiency of any enzymes, as well as with metabolic disorders)
Radiation (with radiation therapy)
Postoperative
Medicamental – as a result of prolonged use of certain specific drugs
, there is further classification depending on the anatomical part in which the inflammatory process develops:
The lesion of the jejunum is called eyunit
The defeat of the ileum is called ileitis
Defeat of the entire small intestine – total enteritis
Moreover, despite the above forms and types of enteritis, pathology is distinguished without the development of villi atrophy, with moderate atrophy and subtotal atrophy.
SYMPTOMS OF ENTERITIS
A typical clinical picture of enteritis includes the following symptoms:
Dyspeptic disorders – nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain. Undigested food remains are found in the feces, the act of defecation practically weakens the patient. The frequency of defecation reaches 5 times a day.
The general condition of the patient is of moderate severity – weakness, pallor of the skin, white plaque on the tongue.
In some cases, there is increased bleeding of the gums, a tendency to form blood clots.
Enteritis pains have a cramping character.
DIAGNOSIS OF ENTERITIS
When making a diagnosis of enteritis, a gastroenterologist should collect the most detailed anamnesis and complaints of the patient. If necessary, other specialists are consulted. Also, for an accurate diagnosis, data from the coprogram, X-ray examination of the small intestine, bacteriological examination of feces will be required. Be sure to conduct a blood test – biochemistry and a general blood test.
TREATMENT OF ENTERITIS
Depending on the type of enteritis, the treatment regimens will be different. Thus, infectious enteritis is treated in infectious diseases hospitals – a serious course of antibacterial therapy, rehydration therapy is carried out.
In all cases, the patient is prescribed a strict diet, without observing which the patient will again experience all clinical symptoms in a pronounced version. The overpopulation of the beneficial intestinal flora with special preparations is also carried out, diarrhea is also medically stopped.
