Acute enterocolitis is a fairly common disease, which is accompanied by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. As a rule, the process extends to the tissues of the colon and small intestine and is often accompanied by gastritis.
Acute enterocolitis: causes and forms of the disease
In fact, the inflammatory process can be caused by various factors, ranging from malnutrition, and ending with severe poisoning and infections. For example, enterocolitis in children can be caused by both the multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms and malnutrition. Depending on the factor that caused the inflammation, the disease is divided into the following forms:
- bacterial enterocolitis develops against the background of infection, for example, dysentery and salmonellosis; less often, inflammation is caused by intestinal dysbiosis ;
- parasitic enterocolitis appears if the intestine is populated by some representatives of protozoa (for example, amoeba) or worms (helminths);
- toxic enterocolitis is associated with the penetration into the body of hazardous chemicals, poisons of plant and animal origin, as well as certain medications;
- the mechanical form of the disease is directly related to intestinal disorders, in particular, prolonged and frequent constipation;
- alimentary enterocolitis develop as a result of malnutrition;
- secondary enterocolitis refers to those diseases that manifest as a complication of other diseases of the digestive tract.
Risk groups can also include people who abuse alcohol, as well as patients prone to allergies.
Intestinal colitis: symptoms and signs of the disease
The disease is accompanied by very characteristic symptoms:
- At first, sharp pulling pains appear, which are localized near the navel, but can spread to other parts of the abdomen.
- Digestive problems appear - alternating diarrhea and constipation, nausea and vomiting.
- Quite often, enterocolitis is accompanied by an accumulation of gases in the intestine.
- If the inflammation is caused by an infection, then fever, weakness, headaches, body aches, blood impurities in the feces are possible.
If there are such signs, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible. In the absence of medical care, the disease can turn into a chronic form, which, in turn, gradually changes the structure and functioning of intestinal tissues.
Acute enterocolitis: diagnosis and treatment
As a rule, the diagnosis of an acute form of the disease does not cause any problems. The patient must pass a blood test and feces - so you can determine the presence of infection. Sometimes they also have x-rays and colonoscopy.
As for the treatment, it includes several stages at once. To begin with, the patient is washed the stomach (especially if enterocolitis is caused by the use of toxic and toxic substances).
In the first few days, you must follow a strict bed rest, as well as an unloading diet. To relieve pain, the doctor prescribes antispasmodics. It is also necessary to take the solution "Regidron", which will prevent dehydration. Patients are also advised to drink prebiotics, which gradually normalize the microflora of the digestive tract. If acute enterocolitis is caused by an infection, a course of antibiotic treatment is needed.