The disease, characterized by the presence of an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the walls of the small intestine, is called enteritis. The occurrence of an ailment is most often associated with neglect of the rules of personal hygiene. However, there are frequent cases when enteritis in humans appeared when there were infectious pathogens in the body such as salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter, shigella, clostridia and Staphylococcus aureus. These microorganisms can also affect the colon and stomach.
Disease Description
The primary function of the small intestine is the absorption of water and nutrients. Inflammation, causing swelling of the walls, reduces their surface area. As a result, the process of absorption of nutrients is disrupted, and the water-electrolyte exchange between intestinal tissues becomes unregulated. This leads to the fact that a large amount of fluid is released into the colon. In addition, enteritis in humans can cause damage to epithelial cells and the formation of an ulcer surface. The disease destroys the intestinal microflora, causing an increase in the number of pathogenic microorganisms.
Chronic enteritis. Symptoms
With a mild course of the disease, the state of the body is regarded as satisfactory, but frequent stools are observed. Enteritis in severe people causes diarrhea (5-10 times a day), which is accompanied by bloating, pain, loss of appetite, vomiting and nausea. First, the stool resembles gruel, and then is converted into a fetid liquid. With a severe form of the disease, dehydration of the body, a decrease in temperature, intoxication, a decline in cardiac activity, convulsions are observed.
Chronic enteritis in humans becomes a metabolic disorder, as a result of which patients quickly lose body weight. This contributes to the development of various types of hypovitaminosis:
- B. Causes pallor of the skin , glossitis, stomatitis. A person becomes drowsy, irritable, he suffers from loss of appetite;
- C. Patients with this type of hypovitaminosis have gum bleeding, uterine and nosebleeds, voice loss, and excessive skin sensitivity.
- D, A, K, E. It causes dryness of the mucous membranes and skin.
In the event that the disease is detected inopportune, the manifestation of its severe form is possible.
Treatment
It is very important in this disease to comply with bed rest and dietary principles for five days. Food should be warm. It is recommended to take it several times a day, but in a small amount. You can eat crackers, tea without sugar, blueberry jelly, mashed lean meat with vegetables or fruits, rice broth. It is not recommended to eat cold dishes and drinks, kvass, milk, smoked meats, seasonings and vegetables with coarse fiber.
Enteritis in children
The causes of this disease can be a food infection, drug poisoning or an allergy.
Quite often, this ailment is observed not in its pure form, but in combination with inflammation of the large intestine or stomach.
Acute enteritis in children develops quite rapidly. At elevated body temperature in a sick child, frequent bowel movements are observed, which leads to dehydration. Undigested food predominates in fecal matter. The child becomes passive, lethargic, weak, pale, he may experience convulsions. Often there is a feeling of anxiety and pain in the navel. After taking the fluid, diarrhea begins.
Treatment of acute enteritis must be carried out in a hospital, observing a diet and bed rest. The child is prescribed glucose, salt solutions and sorbents. Usually, after a week, well-being returns, and the sick baby can return to be treated home, but in quarantine, i.e. in isolation.