Enterocolitis. Symptoms and Treatment

One of the most common diseases of the digestive system, affecting both the small and large intestine, is enterocolitis. Symptoms and Treatment This pathology may differ depending on its type and causes of development. If untimely detection and treatment occur atrophic changes in the mucous membrane and violations of the intestine.

The causes of enterocolitis are the following: weakening of immunity, stress, hormonal imbalance, defects in the structure of the intestine, prolonged inadequate nutrition, use of antibacterial drugs, food allergy, acute food abuse, intoxication with chemicals, intestinal infections and helminthiases. Often, the causes of digestion and emptying are gastrointestinal diseases.

Depending on the causes of enterocolitis are divided into different species. The acute form of the disease usually does not affect the deep tissues of the intestine, mainly affects the mucous membrane. Often this form is accompanied by acute gastritis. According to its origin, this type of enterocolitis is divided into infectious and non-infectious types. Its causes are often infections, allergic reactions of the intestine, but the development of the disease can also be associated with intoxication of the body with certain medicines or toxic substances.

The disease, which lasts for a long time without treatment, goes into a chronic form. Illiteracy in the treatment of acute inflammatory bowel disease also causes the transition of the disease to a more neglected stage. With a chronic type, not only the intestinal mucosa is gradually affected, but also deeper tissues, which leads to stable bowel disturbances and malfunctions of the entire digestive system.

Depending on the cause of the disease, enterocolitis is divided into the following types:

• Alimentary, developing due to malnutrition;
• Bacterial, arising under the influence of bacterial infections;
• Parasitic, the cause of which is colonization of the intestine by helminths, Trichomonas and other protozoa;
• Toxic, provoked by poisoning poisonous, chemical substances and medications.

There is also a mechanical enterocolitis, the development of which is caused by frequent and prolonged constipation.

The complication, which is a consequence of the transferred gastrointestinal disease, can provoke the so-called secondary enterocolitis. Symptoms and treatment of the types described can vary significantly. So, with the defeat of the small intestine, the patient has the following symptoms: a disorder of the stool, diarrhea, dull-headed pain in the peripodal area, nausea, flatulence, a feeling of raspiraniya in the abdomen. If the lesion mainly covers the large intestine, the appearance of aching pains, usually localized in the lateral parts of the intestine, alternating constipation and diarrhea.

The acute form of enterocolitis is manifested by sudden pains, bloating, flatulence, nausea, the appearance of a plaque on the tongue, fever, diarrhea and other signs of intoxication - weakness, headaches, aching muscles.

When enterocolitis infectious nature, there is an increase in temperature, muscle pain and other signs of general intoxication. In children, the most common cause of the disease is staphylococcal infection, which also causes pneumonia, staphyloderma, otitis media. Often the source of staphylococci in the digestive tract of the baby is breast milk. The presence of mastitis in the mother or nipple cracks causes enterocolitis in newborns. The cause of the disease can be dysbacteriosis, parasitic invasion, chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Inflammatory bowel disease in children leads to a violation of its absorption, excretory function, digestion and motor functions. In adolescents, the disease is more often caused by malnutrition.

Symptoms of chronic form during the period of remission of the disease practically do not make themselves felt, at the moments of exacerbation they manifest themselves most vividly. These are violations of the stool, constipation, abruptly alternating with diarrhea, indigestion, bloating, weight loss.

Detection of enterocolitis in chronic form is rather difficult. Repeated X-ray examinations are often performed to exclude the carcinomatous process.

Also, at the initial stage of the disease, it is difficult to distinguish between ulcerative enterocolitis and dysentery. The main sign of the ailment in question is mucopurulent diarrhea with intermittent (intermittent) fever. Defecation can occur up to 30 times a day. Fecal masses contain blood, mucus, pus, while the proportion of any of the components can drastically change within one day.

If there is a suspicion of enterocolitis, symptoms and treatment should be determined by the physician based on the diagnosis data. Self-medication is unacceptable. Methods of therapy are chosen by a specialist depending on the type of disease, its course, the manifestation of a symptomatic pattern. More often this complex treatment, without fail including a rational diet with restriction of carbohydrates and the raised maintenance of fibers.

In acute enterocolitis, gastric lavage, a special diet (liquid food) and a plentiful drink (tea, water) are prescribed. Hard food is excluded. During exacerbations, enzymes and antibiotics are prescribed. With infectious acute enterocolitis, probiotics are added, which help restore intestinal microflora.

In the treatment of chronic form it is important to identify and eliminate the causes that triggered enterocolitis. Symptoms and treatment depend on the form, type and severity of the disease, as well as on the causes that provoked it. Complex treatment of enterocolitis takes a rather long period. Its main areas are the following: elimination of the inflammatory process, possible infections, restoration of normal operation of the digestive tract, prevention of dehydration.

The best preventive measures are rational nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.