Gastroduodenitis is a fairly common disease that affects the stomach and duodenum. The reasons for its occurrence are many. This can be nervous exhaustion, and an unbalanced diet, and previous gastrointestinal pathologies. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis of gastroduodenitis. Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, diet for this disease are just some of the questions the answers to which are presented in this article.
general information
Gastroduodenitis is an inflammatory process that develops in the duodenum and on the gastric mucosa. The disease manifests itself in the form of nausea, an unpleasant taste in the mouth, discomfort in the epigastric region and a constant feeling of fullness of the stomach. In addition, pathology may be accompanied by belching, rumbling in the abdomen, constipation or diarrhea.
Gastroduodenitis develops due to the action of exogenous and endogenous factors. The former imply physical influence, which is based on the use of excessively hot or spicy food. Particular attention should be paid to the life of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori. Endogenous causes of the disease include increased acid formation, decreased mucus production, and concomitant pathologies of the biliary tract and liver. In addition, a hereditary factor is not excluded, in which the predisposition is determined based on the presence of such an ailment in close relatives.
Distinguish between acute and chronic gastroduodenitis. Symptoms, treatment (diet in particular) of each form will be considered in more detail. According to the WHO, currently the disease affects more than 60% of the world's population, of which 28% of the disease is characterized by a chronic course.
Acute gastroduodenitis
The disease occurs due to gastritis, in which the inflammatory process smoothly flows from the stomach to the area of the duodenum. In addition, the hereditary factor, frequent stresses, malnutrition, and liver pathology can serve as the causes of the pathology.
Patients with this diagnosis note acute pain in the stomach area. Such discomfort can pass on its own, that is, without medical intervention. Also, patients often complain of dizziness, vomiting and nausea. Of course, such symptoms may indicate other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, so only a doctor can confirm the final diagnosis.
Chronic gastroduodenitis
Symptoms, treatment and diet characteristic of this pathology are already more serious. In this article we will dwell in more detail on this particular form of the disease.
Chronic gastroduodenitis proceeds in two stages - exacerbation and remission. Most often, the period of exacerbation occurs in autumn and spring. This is due to malnutrition, climate change and the effects of various viruses.
During remission, there are no obvious clinical signs indicating the presence of the disease. Neither endoscopic nor morphological diagnostic methods are practically impossible to confirm this ailment.
Forms of chronic gastroduodenitis
This pathology is not the same in its manifestations, as well as its consequences. Specialists distinguish several of its forms. In especially difficult cases, they complement each other, which significantly complicates the therapy.
- Superficial gastroduodenitis is the simplest form of the disease, in which only the upper layers of the mucous membranes are affected. It is formed due to the constant effect on the walls of the duodenum of the so-called aggressive factors (alcohol, junk food, drugs). Patients report severe pain in the stomach area.
- The hypertrophic form is more pronounced symptomatology. A characteristic mucous plaque is observed in the tongue, small foci of hemorrhage appear. Nausea, vomiting, pain in the epigastric zone - these signs are characterized by hypertrophic gastroduodenitis (symptoms).
- Treatment (diet 5 + medications) of an erosive form of the disease always requires special attention. Pathology is characterized by atrophy of the walls of organs. With this diagnosis, the mucous membrane is covered with foci of inflammation, which over time can degenerate into an ulcer.
Why does the disease develop?
The root cause of this pathology can be constant stress, poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, smoking, hormonal dysfunction, and the vital activity of the Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
As a rule, the disease is diagnosed in people already in old age. Due to the fact that in the modern world every day a person has to face a lot of stress, and there is practically no time for normal nutrition, the ailment has become much “younger”. Today, gastroduodenitis is diagnosed even in children in adolescence.
Clinical picture
What are the signs of chronic gastroduodenitis (symptoms)? Treatment, diet, necessary for this disease, are prescribed only after the doctor confirms the final diagnosis. Patients most often come to the initial consultation with such complaints:
- Abdominal pain in the epigastric region.
- Nausea, vomiting, belching.
- Decreased appetite.
- Unstable stool (diarrhea alternate with constipation).
- Yellowish or grayish plaque on the tongue.
- Pallor of the skin.
- Excessive sweating and irritability.
It is with these signs that gastroduodenitis is accompanied. The causes, symptoms and treatment of the disease are determined by the doctor at the initial examination, during diagnosis, and the patient's duty is to strictly comply with all his recommendations. Only in this way can we hope for recovery.
Gastroduodenitis in children
This disease in chronic form in young patients has a variety of symptoms. The duodenum performs an endocrine function, as a result, in children most often there are signs of vegetovascular dystonia. They manifest in the form of frequent dizziness, sleep problems, and increased fatigue. Approximately 1.5 hours after a direct meal, a child may experience weakness, increased intestinal motility.
How can gastroduodenitis be confirmed?
Symptoms, treatment (diet + medications) of this disease are interconnected with its diagnosis. This pathology can be confirmed by several methods:
- Endoscopic examination (allows you to determine the presence of diffuse changes).
- Fractional duodenal sounding.
- Histological examination (necessary to identify the focus of inflammation and atrophy).
- Assay for Helicobacter Pylori.
- Fluoroscopy.
- Ultrasound
- CT scan.
What should be the therapy?
An exclusively qualified specialist can determine the causes and symptoms of gastroduodenitis. Prevention (diet, timely treatment of gastrointestinal diseases) and the treatment of such a pathology require special attention.
First of all, during the period of exacerbation, bed rest for seven days and special nutrition are recommended.
Drug therapy involves taking the following groups of drugs:
- Antispasmodics.
- Envelope preparations ("De-Nol").
- Antacids ("Fosfalugel", "Almagel", "Vicalin").
- Enzymes (Betacid, Acidin-Pepsin).
- Antisecretory drugs (“Cimetidine”, “Famotidine”, “Omeprazole”).
Treatment of a chronic form of the disease is recommended in courses that must be completed completely. This approach allows you to reduce the likelihood of complications and bring the disease into remission.
Talk about nutrition
Regardless of the symptoms of gastroduodenitis, treatment + diet can reduce their manifestation. In general, almost every gastrointestinal disease is accompanied by the selection of proper nutrition. The digestive organs are interconnected. This means that if inflammation begins to develop in one of them, it will almost inevitably transfer to another.
With this disease, doctors strongly recommend eating often in small portions, the food should be chewed carefully. This helps the digestive tract digest food faster. The diet should be varied. If the clinical picture indicates that gastroduodenitis has exacerbated (symptoms), treatment is diet 1 with the mandatory use of pain medications. This means that you should limit the consumption of salted, sour, fried foods, as well as coffee and alcoholic beverages. It is better to steam, dishes should have a mushy consistency.
As soon as the symptoms of the disease begin to subside, you can gradually switch to the diet that is familiar to the physiological needs of the body. At this stage, non-fat meat, boiled fish, cereals, dairy products, a small amount of vegetables are allowed.
Only a doctor can talk about the duration of such a diet, based on the patient's condition.
Prevention
A disease such as gastroduodenitis (acute and chronic) should not be ignored. Signs and symptoms of such a common pathology should alert and become the reason for immediately seeking advice from an appropriate specialist. Today, more and more doctors make this diagnosis to people, not only the elderly, but also adolescents. The treatment of the disease is a rather lengthy process that requires patience.
Its prevention consists in a proper and balanced diet, giving up bad habits (smoking, alcohol). Popular diets for weight loss and fasting should be avoided, but overeating is also not recommended. Doctors do not recommend taking antibiotics and other medicines in unlimited quantities.
Conclusion
This article describes the main differences between chronic gastroduodenitis, symptoms, causes, treatment and diagnosis of this disease. Unfortunately, such a disappointing diagnosis has to be heard by many, but pathology with timely medical attention can be treated very well. It is important to strictly follow all the instructions of a specialist and follow the recommended diet.
We hope that all the information presented in the article will be really useful for you. Be healthy!