Not the most common gastrointestinal disease is intestinal atony. What is it? This is the name of a condition in which there is no tonus of smooth muscles.
For what reasons does it occur? What becomes a provoking factor? What symptoms indicate a person has atony? And what are the most effective treatments for this disease? These and many other questions are now worth giving answers.
Causes
Atony of the intestine - what is it? This term means a decrease in the peristalsis of the digestive organ. And this arises either due to diseases brought by a person to internal organs, or due to the use of certain drugs or even a lifestyle.
The latter reason, by the way, is not rare. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of activity, which is usually called physical inactivity, really lead to a decrease in the tone of intestinal muscles and the development of constipation.
The mechanism of the development of the disease is simple: the innervation of the walls worsens, and as a result, the strength and number of peristaltic movements decreases.
The same thing happens if a person eats improperly. The use of high-calorie foods and large amounts of carbohydrates does not lead to good. Also, violations are possible due to lack of fiber.
In addition to the above, the causes of atony include:
- Constant stress.
- Abuse of antispasmodics, antidepressants, morphine-like analgesics, antiulcer, antiepileptic, antacids and sorbents.
- The presence of helminths in the body, which produce substances that inhibit peristalsis.
- Intestinal infections.
- Intestinal dysbiosis (microbiocenosis).
- The abuse of nicotine.
- Endocrine pathologies (hypothyroidism and obesity).
- Hereditary factors.
- Menopause.
- Pregnancy.
- Oncological pathology.
Even after surgery, intestinal atony can develop. Surgical intervention can cause this pathology, the occurrence of which is usually accompanied by the development of adhesive disease.
Symptoms
They also need to be noted with attention, talking about intestinal atony. With this - it is clear that you should now list the symptoms indicating the presence of this disease.
Manifestations of the disease are characterized by polymorphism, and they are determined by the age of the patient, the characteristics of his nervous system and the degree of impaired motor skills. Typically, the symptoms are as follows:
- Inadequate, difficult bowel movements (constipation).
- Abdominal cramping pains.
- Discomfort in the abdomen.
- Unsuccessful imperative urges to empty.
- Nausea.
- Frequent burping.
- Bloating accompanied by a feeling of heaviness.
- Fatigue.
- Neurovegetative disorders
- Hypovitaminosis. It occurs due to the fact that abdominal digestion worsens, and vitamins with nutrients are absorbed worse.
- Iron-deficiency anemia.
The symptoms of intestinal atony cannot be ignored. What could this entail? Intestinal obstruction. And when it occurs, emergency hospitalization and surgical intervention are necessary, otherwise intoxication and death are possible.
Diagnostics
Talking about the causes and signs of intestinal atony, it is also necessary to talk about the methods by which this disease can be detected.
Diagnosis is based on the discovery of a cause, which, as a rule, is the symptom of an ailment. For effective correction of peristalsis disorders in the presence of a connection with another disease, treatment of a causative pathology is necessary.
First of all, the gastroenterologist interviews the patient. He needs to find out the features of his lifestyle, the level of physical activity, eating habits and past illnesses.
Then, an examination is carried out, during which a weakening of peristaltic noises and bloating are detected. After this, the patient is sent for general clinical laboratory tests. Their implementation helps to assess the state of the hepatobiliary system.
Diagnostics usually includes the following methods:
- Coprogram (feces test).
- Analysis of feces for the presence of dysbiosis, helminths and protozoa.
- A study of thyroid hormone levels.
- X-ray of the passage of barium.
- Irrigoscopy (examination of the large intestine).
- Colonoscopy
- Histological examination of the biopsy and biopsy.
Diagnostics takes time. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor immediately after detecting symptoms of intestinal atony. Treatment and therapy can be prescribed only after examination.
Drug therapy
Only a gastroenterologist can tell the patient how to cure intestinal atony. Drugs are always selected individually, but usually the doctor prescribes one of the following:
- Distigmine bromide. Improves intestinal motility, has a stimulating effect on the endocrine glands, increases the tone and motility of the gastrointestinal tract and bladder. It also has moderate vasodilator activity.
- Glycerin candles. This tool has a moderate irritant effect on the mucous membrane of the rectum. It also stimulates peristalsis and softens stool.
- "Trimedat." One of the best regulators of gastrointestinal motility. It has a mild effect on all intestinal sections, enhances motility, promotes emptying, and also relieves the pressure of the food sphincter.
- "Ubretid." Helps with postoperative atony and paralytic bowel obstruction .
- Proserin. It is an inhibitor of pseudocholinesterase and acetylcholinesterase. Significantly improves neuromuscular transmission, increases the tone of the bronchi, gastrointestinal tract and bladder, enhances the secretion of exocrine glands and intestinal motility. Also improves its contractility. This drug is the most effective treatment for intestinal atony that has arisen after surgery.
- Regulax. An effective stimulator of peristalsis, which helps to reduce the absorption of electrolytes and water, and also accelerates the promotion of intestinal contents. The action usually occurs 10-12 hours after application.
- "Metoclopramide." It stimulates peristalsis, has an antiemetic effect, inhibits the relaxation of smooth muscles of the stomach, positively affecting cholinergic reactions. Also reduces the reflux of contents into the esophagus.
- Pancreatin. An enzyme preparation containing lipase, amylase and protease. Its intake accelerates the digestion of food and contributes to the complete absorption of nutrients in the small intestine. In essence, this drug is an extract of the contents of the pancreas.
All of these tools quickly and effectively eliminate the symptoms of intestinal atony. Treatment and drug therapy should be continued for the time specified by the doctor. Only he can tell how long it will take to restore the full activity of intestinal motility.
Atony in the elderly
This case must be considered separately. In elderly people, this disease often occurs, and this is due either to atherosclerotic vascular lesions, or physiological aging.
Treatment of intestinal atony in the elderly should be carried out in a gentle manner. Do not overload the body with drugs. Most often, doctors recommend:
- Frequent walks in the fresh air.
- The use of vegetable and dairy foods in large quantities.
- Enema with intestinal atony with chamomile infusion.
- The use of laxative foods, as well as soft, liquid, grated food.
If health allows, then you can do the exercises, which are described below.
Gymnastics
Performing exercises every day, a person can contribute to the improvement of peristalsis. Exercises with atony of the intestine bring significant benefits, because after gymnastics the following occurs:
- Blood circulation improves.
- The intestines in the next few hours stimulates the massage effect produced by charging.
- Smooth muscle spasm is eliminated.
- The abs and peritoneum become stronger.
- Bloating and a feeling of heaviness disappear.
- A food lump is faster pushed through the intestines.
Gymnastics also has a positive effect on the functioning of the autonomic nervous system. Here are some exercises that will work:
- Springy movements (jumping rope, for example).
- Strength exercises involving weight or resistance.
- Crawling on all fours.
- Bleeding the press.
- Squats
- Run.
- Moving on the buttocks.
- Raising and lowering straightened legs while lying on your back.
Daily walks, swimming, cycling and tennis are also beneficial, and you can also sign up for the gym.
Diet principles
Much has been said above about the symptoms and causes of intestinal atony. What it is - it has also been clarified, and now it's worth talking about what kind of nutrition principles you need to follow in order to quickly get rid of such an unpleasant problem.
So, here are the main rules:
- Products do not need to grind. It is better to eat in large pieces.
- The morning you need to start with a glass of vegetable juice. And end the day with a cup of fruit compote or kefir.
- You will have to refuse fried. You need to cook food steamed, by cooking or baking.
- It is worth switching to fractional nutrition. There are 4-6 times a day in small portions.
- You can not eat more than three kilograms per day. The energy value of food consumed per day should not exceed 3000 calories.
- Drink a day you need at least one and a half liters of clean water.
- About 60% of what is eaten should be proteins. About 25% are vegetable fats. And only 15% are complex carbohydrates.
Compliance with these principles of nutrition will help restore intestinal function, significantly “unload” the stomach and cleanse the body of toxins.
What not to eat?
Atony of the intestine will be much faster if a person refuses to use the following products:
- Products from fancy pastry.
- Bread from premium flour.
- Confectionery with cream.
- Chocolate.
- Canned food and smoked meats.
- Fatty and salted fish.
- Lard.
- Rich strong broths.
- Alcohol.
- Legumes
- Semolina and rice.
- Onion and garlic.
- Mushrooms.
- Strong tea, cocoa, coffee.
- Blueberries, quinces, pears, pomegranates, dogwood.
- Fatty sauces, mustard, horseradish.
All these products will not be able to contribute to the restoration of intestinal microflora and its cleaning.
What can I eat?
The basis of the diet should be foods that enhance peristalsis. That is, those that are rich in fiber, dietary fiber and ballast substances. These include:
- Diet bread.
- Unfinished baking.
- Wholemeal bread.
- Cracker.
- Vegetable soups on meat broth (cabbage soup, beetroot soup, borscht).
- Low-fat meat, poultry and fish.
- Milk sausages.
- Sour-milk drinks.
- Side dishes and vegetable dishes: cucumbers, zucchini, sauerkraut and cauliflower, pumpkin, carrots, tomatoes, beets.
- Green peas and greens.
- Millet, buckwheat, barley groats.
- Bran and pasta.
- Fruits (especially apples), fresh berries.
- Dried fruits, honey, jam, marmalade.
- Sunflower and olive oil.
Drinking while following a diet can be freshly squeezed juices, weak tea with milk, natural yogurt, compotes and fruit drinks.
Folk remedies
And they are also worth mentioning, talking about what intestinal atony is. Reasons - this is a factor that determines what treatment will be. They must be taken into account even if the plans are to eliminate the symptoms of folk remedies, and not traditional ones.
If we talk about universal recipes, then we can note the following:
- Powdered buckthorn bark (1 tbsp. L.) Pour a glass of boiling water. Send the container to a steam bath for 20 minutes. Then remove it with a towel. After 40 minutes, strain. Take 1 tsp in the morning and evening.
- In equal parts, mix valerian, dandelion root, nettle, buckthorn, mint and calamus. Take 3 tbsp. l this collection and pour two glasses of boiling water. Hold the composition for half an hour in a water bath, then cool and strain. Drink 1 glass before meals twice a day.
- The crushed rhubarb root (1 tbsp. L.) Pour boiling water (300 ml) and send for 5 minutes to the fire. Boil. Then let cool, strain, and drink 2 tsp. before eating.
- Flax seeds (1 tsp) pour into a thermos and pour boiling water over boiling water (250 ml). Let it brew for 2 hours. Then shake the thermos and drink the liquid at bedtime at a time with the seed.
- Green leaf tea should be crushed to a powdery state. Three times a day for 1 tsp. use this powder before meals with a little water.
- Oregano is also an effective herb for intestinal atony. It is necessary to take 15 grams and pour a glass of boiling water. Insist 2 hours. Take a spoon 4 times a day.
- Dry ground dill seeds (1 tbsp. L.) Must be poured with a cup of hot water and insisted in a warm place. Then strain and drink every 4 hours, 80 ml.
- Take one large leaf of aloe and peel it of thorns. Grind to a mushy state and mix with honey (200 ml) melted in a water bath. Give a day to insist. The resulting composition should be taken in the morning and evening for 1 tsp.
- A three-liter jar is completely filled with rowan berries, sprinkling them with sugar in layers. Then close the container and send it to a warm place, you can even under sunlight. Shake the jar every day. After about 4 weeks, the syrup will need to be drained, and squeeze the mountain ash. Add alcohol (200 ml) to the sweet liquid and mix. Every day, drink 1 tbsp. l tinctures before meals.
- Cut the green part (peel) from the watermelon, dry and grind into powder. Take 2 tbsp. l the resulting mass and pour boiling water (300 ml). Allow to cool and then take 1 tsp. before eating.
- Grind parsley and 1 tbsp. l pour warm water. Then send it to a water bath and warm for 20 minutes. Then strain. Drink every 3 hours for 1 tsp.
- A good remedy is potato juice. One glass should be drunk in the morning, on an empty stomach, after which another 30 minutes to lie down.
Homeopathy with intestinal atony can really be useful, since many plants contain substances that can improve peristalsis. But they, like medicines, also cannot be carried away if you do not want to face unpleasant consequences.