Today, what kind of disease does not exist. Some of them have quite intricate names. One of these is duodenitis. What it is? What disease is hidden in this name? Let's take it in order.
What is a disease?
So, let's figure out what duodenitis is associated with. What it is? To do this, a little deeper into the anatomy.
The duodenum is one of the most important digestive organs. This cavity is a vessel into which the juice of the pancreas and liver enter. This is where the main digestion of food occurs. In the duodenum, nutrients are finally broken down. Between the villi, covered with a thick layer of enzymes, they are quickly digested and absorbed.
The duodenum functions intensively and continuously. In this regard, it is often inflamed. Such a process, according to medical terminology, is called duodenitis.
Causes of the disease
Why does duodenitis occur? What is it - we sorted out. We now turn to the causes of the disease. There are many sources that provoke the development of inflammation. They are divided into several groups:
- Infections The inflammatory process can cause bacteria. One of the most common is Helicobacter pylori. Bacteria in the body release toxins, which are aggression factors leading to the development of the disease.
- Stress, overvoltage. This condition, which is of a prolonged nature, leads to spasm of blood vessels in the duodenum. Blood supply to the mucous membrane decreases. Significantly reduced protective properties.
- Unhealthy food. The abuse of fatty, fried, solid or spicy foods is fraught with serious consequences. The products themselves become an aggressive factor that can lead to the onset of an inflammatory process. The most harmful are chips and crackers. It is they who in most cases become a source of illness in children. It is noted that before the appearance of this assortment, the diagnoses of gastritis and duodenitis were much less common.
- Wrong food regimen. The alternation of prolonged fasting with periods of overeating seriously increases the risk of duodenitis. In the first case, enzymes irritate the mucous membrane. The period of overeating is fraught with mechanical stretching and increased load on the intestine.
- Eating before bedtime. This negative factor can lead to gastritis, duodenitis. It should be remembered that during sleep all systems and organs are in functional rest. That is why it is recommended to have dinner 2 hours before bedtime.
- Medicines Some medications can lead to inflammation of the duodenum. As a rule, these are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, the drugs "Ibuprofen", "Acetylsalicylic acid", "Paracetamol". Their action irritates the mucous membrane quite strongly. These drugs can even lead to an ulcer.
- Alcohol. The systematic use of alcohol-containing drinks can provoke an inflammatory reaction. The most dangerous are wine and beer. And cognac in acceptable doses, on the contrary, promotes the healing of erosion and ulcers, the removal of inflammation.

- Smoking. Nicotine causes vasospasm. Particularly dangerous is fasting smoking. Once in the digestive tract, nicotine with saliva leads to severe inflammation.
- Genetic predisposition. The inheritance can be transmitted a tendency to the occurrence of the disease.
Types of ailment
Before considering what the symptoms and treatment will be in the diagnosis of duodenitis, we will touch on the classification that characterizes the course of the disease. In medicine, the disease is divided into two forms:
Each of them differs not only in duration, but also in symptoms.
The acute form of the disease
The flow period is about 1 month. The main sources of acute duodenitis are foodborne toxicoinfections or chemical poisoning. In some cases, inflammation of the mucosa provokes mechanical damage to foreign bodies.
Acute duodenitis appears suddenly. Often, after a violation of diet. A characteristic symptomatology is pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, turning into vomiting. Accompanying these signs is general weakness, fever.
Chronic form
This type of disease is often classified as a completely different ailment. The culprit of such confusion is the variety of clinical manifestations. By its origin, chronic duodenitis is primary and secondary.
In the first case, the reasons lie in malnutrition, alcohol abuse. Often a chronic form leads to an acute form.
Secondary duodenitis develops against a background of diseases. Gastrointestinal tract, biliary tract, liver ailments may well become the causes of the inflammatory process of the mucosa. Often, chronic gastritis leads to the development of the disease. Duodenitis can develop against a background of parasitic and allergic ailments, problems with the kidneys and lungs, as well as the cardiovascular system.
Localization of symptoms
A characteristic symptom is pain. If it occurs in the area of the epigastric region, most likely, it signals a ulcer-like variant of the disease. In this case, the intensity of sensations can vary from very pronounced to very weak. The nature of the pain can also fluctuate. Discomfort is sometimes cramping or aching.
The occurrence of pain in the right hypochondrium, which gives to the subscapular region, signals a cholecystic variant of the disease. As a rule, it provokes fatty and fried foods.
If the patient manifests gastritis-like duodenitis, then the pain is localized in the upper part of the epigastric region. Accompany her feeling of heaviness, a feeling of fullness.
It is extremely rare that a pancreatitis-like variant of the disease occurs. It is characterized by girdle pain that radiates to the left hypochondrium and back.
Chronic duodenitis is accompanied by: heaviness, bursting, nausea. Vomiting, bitterness in the mouth, heartburn, belching with bitter can be connected to this symptomatology. Often there are vegetative manifestations: weakness, trembling hands, sweating, palpitations, and stool disorders.
Duodenogastric reflux
This disease is quite unpleasant. With it, acid is thrown from the duodenum into the stomach. Most often accompanied by reflux duodenitis and gastritis.
The occurrence of this disease is associated with a hiatal hernia or a weakness of the muscles located in this area.
Often, reflux disturbs pregnant women or individuals who abuse nicotine. Often it manifests itself in people taking medications, whose action is aimed at reducing the tone of smooth muscles.
Diagnosis of the disease
Before treating duodenitis, the doctor will recommend a gastroscopy. And only the results of the endoscopic picture will make it possible to make a diagnosis. Often used and some other diagnostic methods. Their goal is to determine the form of the disease.
These methods include:
- X-ray of the duodenum and stomach;
- coprogram;
- blood biochemistry;
- duodenal sounding ;
- biochemistry of gastric juice with determination of pH.
If during the diagnosis, the doctor suspects malignant tumors located in the mucous membrane, the doctor will prescribe another examination. In this case, the biomaterial is examined in the laboratory of the oncological department.
Disease treatment
In the fight against the disease, the form that characterizes duodenitis is quite important. Symptoms and treatment are completely dependent on her.
The acute stages of an erosive-ulcerative variant or catarrhal often do not need systemic complex therapy. The disease disappears within three days if the patient fully adheres to all the recommendations of the doctor. The most important rule is diet. Equally important is stationary strict mode.
For two days, it is necessary to rinse the stomach with a solution of potassium permanganate . After this, the drug “Magnesium sulfate” is taken on an empty stomach. To do this, 30 grams of the drug is diluted in 300 ml of ordinary pure water. After two days, the reception of enveloping agents begins . Antispasmodics allow to neutralize pain. As a rule, Papaverine and Drotaverin are prescribed.
Treatment of a chronic form in most cases occurs in a hospital. The classical drug therapy includes:
- antibiotics (to combat Helicobacter pylori);
- enveloping preparations - means "Sulfacrate";
- enzymes;
- chemotherapy agents (in the presence of helminthiasis);
- drugs that reduce acidity (for example, the tool "Maalox");
- drugs that reduce the secret of hydrochloric acid (Ranitidine tablets).
Diet food
If the patient is diagnosed with gastritis, duodenitis, it is advisable to start treatment with adjusting the diet. A special diet is recommended. Food is taken in minimal portions about 5-6 times a day. This diet is aimed at increasing protein levels. And the amount of carbohydrates in the diet should be reduced. The body will benefit most from freshly squeezed fruit juices containing vitamin C. It is recommended that they be consumed as much as possible.
For patients diagnosed with chronic duodenitis, a diet that includes daily mashed soups is helpful. They must be vegetable or with the addition of cereals. Necessarily without meat. Cream or milk may be added to soups. You can enter lean meat, sea or river fish in the diet. The diet also includes dairy products. This is cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, butter, yogurt, milk. Boiled vegetables are useful to the patient. Soft-boiled eggs are included.
Sweets - a variety of sweets, sugar, honey - should be taken in minimal quantities. A patient following the above diet is allowed all types of tea. Of flour products, you should stop only on breadcrumbs, white bread and biscuits.
It is recommended to exclude from the diet all products that can cause irritation of the duodenal mucosa. It is forbidden to use coffee, canned food, pepper, smoked meats, mustard, onions. Fatty meat and fish can harm the patient. You should not drink strong tea and drink ice cream. Very hot or cold food is excluded from the diet. Alcohol is banned.
With the strictest diet, the patient feels relief after a few days. And if the patient adheres to all the above recommendations in food constantly, then all manifestations of duodenitis can be completely eliminated.
Traditional treatment
Not only with medical methods and dieting, you can fight the disease. The treatment of duodenitis is quite effective. Often used a variety of herbal decoctions. However, it is worth remembering that in most cases duodenitis is accompanied by peptic ulcer. Therefore, carefully choose herbs.
The following recipes are recognized as one of the best:
- St. John's wort (2 tbsp. L.) Is poured with a glass of boiling water. About half an hour, this solution is heated in a water bath. 15 minutes, the mixture should be infused. In the future, the broth is filtered. Drink should be a third of a glass. It is advisable to take 30 minutes before eating. A broth is consumed three times a day.
- Honey in the amount of 1 teaspoon is mixed with plantain juice. The latter should take 3 tbsp. spoons. An amazing remedy is taken for 1 tbsp. spoon three times a day.
The list of herbs that favorably affect the patient with duodenitis is quite wide. It includes: chamomile, fennel, oregano, wormwood. Useful sage, lemon balm, mint and many others.
Prevention of ailment
The most basic method that allows the patient to avoid a complex disease is proper nutrition. The patient should completely abandon nicotine and alcohol. Timely treatment of all gastrointestinal diseases is another important prevention method. In this case, the patient is able to prevent the development of serious complications.
Conclusion
Quite often, patients ask the question: “Duodenitis - what is it?” Having clarified the picture behind this name, patients are faced with a new dilemma - how to treat the disease. Regardless of the fact that duodenitis is a serious illness and can proceed severely, it is perfectly treated with medication. No less effective and traditional medicine. And, of course, full healing is largely dependent on proper nutrition.