Acute gastroenterocolitis is a fairly common ailment that belongs to the group of toxicoinfections. The disease is accompanied by inflammatory lesions of the digestive tract, and the foci are mainly localized in the small and large intestines. This is a dangerous condition, as the disease develops extremely rapidly. On the other hand, with the right treatment, the symptoms of the disease disappear by 3-4 days.
Acute gastroenterocolitis (ICD 10): classification
Of course, patients are interested in additional information about this disease. So where in the international classification of diseases to look for acute gastroenterocolitis? The code for the ICD-10 looks like K-52.
This group contains almost all types of gastroenteritis and colitis, including toxic, allergic, alimentary, as well as those forms of the disease, the causes of which could not be clarified.
Infectious inflammation and its pathogens
According to the ICD, acute gastroenterocolitis is a toxic infection. Pathogens, as well as toxic products of their vital functions, can spread throughout the body both through the digestive system and along with the blood stream.
Acute gastroenterocolitis is divided into several groups depending on the type of pathogen.
- The most common form is the bacterial form of lesions. The inflammatory process occurs against the background of the activity of Salmonella, Isherichia, Escherichia coli, Shigella and other bacteria.
- The disease can be fungal in nature - in most of these cases, the pathogen is yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida.
- The reasons include the entry into the body of viral particles, including rotavirus, ECHO virus, etc.
- Protozoal gastroenterocolitis (acute) develops on the background of the entry into the body of simple unicellular organisms, including amoeba, giardia and Trichomonas.
Pathogenic microorganisms can enter the human digestive system along with infected dairy products, canned goods, unwashed vegetables and fruits. Sometimes an infection is directly transmitted from an infected animal or person to a healthy one. Also, do not eat pastries with a cream layer, if all the rules for its storage were not followed.
The main causes of non-infectious forms of the disease
Acute gastroenterocolitis (ICD code K-52) is far from always associated with infection of the body. There are a number of other factors contributing to the onset of the disease.
- Sometimes inflammatory processes in the intestines are the result of an allergic reaction.
- Gastroenterocolitis can occur against the background of alcohol intoxication.
- The development of the disease can lead to the ingestion of poisons, salts of heavy metals, alkalis, acids and other chemically aggressive substances.
- Often during diagnosis, it is found that toxic damage is associated with uncontrolled medication, in particular an overdose of salicylic acid and diuretin derivatives.
- The so-called alimentary gastroenterocolitis is also isolated. The acute inflammatory process in this case develops against the background of malnutrition, frequent overeating, eating too spicy, solid or cold food, irregular intake of it, and an excess of fiber and fat in the diet.
Types of gastroenterocolitis
Depending on the nature and characteristics of the inflammatory process, it is customary to distinguish several forms of gastroenterocolitis:
- hemorrhagic form - accompanied by the formation on the mucous membrane of small bleeding erosion;
- the catarrhal form is characterized by hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membranes along with the secretion of a large amount of exudate;
- ulcerative gastroenterocolitis (acute) is accompanied by ulcerative lesions of the walls of the digestive tract;
- the phlegm form is characterized by a purulent lesion, and the mucous membrane of the stomach most often suffers;
- the fibrous form is considered quite rare and is accompanied by the formation of fibrinous films on the surface of the lining tissues of the digestive tract.
Symptoms of gastroenterocolitis
Gastroenterocolitis is an acute disease that is characterized by rapid progression. As a rule, the disease begins with the appearance of pain in the epigastric region. Then there is bloating, increased gas formation, a distinct and frequent rumbling in the abdomen. Many patients complain of severe heartburn, frequent burping and an unpleasant bitter aftertaste in the mouth.
For the disease, a characteristic decrease in appetite. Patients suffer from nausea and severe vomiting, and large undigested pieces of food may be present in the vomit. In the first two days, stool retention may occur, which then sharply changes into diarrhea. Blood streaks and lumps of mucus may be present in feces.
A sharp increase in temperature is observed - up to 38-39 degrees. When examining the patient, it is possible to note the formation of a gray coating on the tongue. The skin of a person becomes paler. As the disease progresses, the metabolism is disrupted, the patient quickly loses weight. The list of symptoms includes headaches, muscle weakness, confusion. In severe cases of the disease, fainting is possible.
Acute gastroenterocolitis in children: features of the course of the disease
According to statistics, children are more prone to this toxic infection due to imperfections in the immune system. Naturally, the clinical picture in a small patient has some features. In particular, the disease begins with a fever - the temperature rises sharply to 38-40 degrees.
There is also vomiting - urges arise constantly. The child complains of abdominal pain and diarrhea, and feces are often present impurities of blood. Due to oxidative processes in the intestines, feces can become green. A child with such symptoms needs to be urgently taken to the hospital, as the child’s body is more prone to dehydration and its unpleasant consequences.
Modern diagnostic methods
First of all, the doctor conducts an examination, finds out all the symptoms, collects an anamnesis. The clinical picture, as a rule, gives reason to suspect gastroenterocolitis. Naturally, additional studies are required, including a blood test (a high white blood cell count indicates an inflammatory process). Fecal and vomit are also sent for laboratory testing - tests make it possible to determine not only the pathogen, but also its sensitivity to certain drugs.
In addition, it is important to determine what exactly became the source of infection (if there is a suspicion of an infectious gastroenterocolitis). Products are also sent for laboratory analysis. This is important, because by discovering how the infection is transmitted, an epidemic can be prevented.
Treatment of gastroenterocolitis
Treatment of the acute form of inflammation is carried out exclusively in a hospital, namely in the infectious diseases department of the hospital. In most cases, supportive care is needed. If dangerous foods or poisons have been consumed recently, gastric lavage is performed. In addition, patients are prescribed sorbents, as well as drugs that accelerate the elimination of toxic substances from the body (including those resulting from the metabolism of pathogenic microorganisms).
Since gastroenterocolitis is associated with a significant loss of fluid, drinking plenty of fluids and taking "Regidron" are indicated - this will help restore the water-salt balance in the body. With profuse vomiting, patients may be prescribed Cerucal, Reglan, or other antiemetics (usually administered intravenously due to persistent vomiting cramps). But the use of antidiarrheal drugs is not recommended.
In the most severe cases, therapy can be supplemented by the use of antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal or antiparasitic drugs, although most often this is not required. As a rule, an improvement in a person’s condition is observed 3-4 days after the start of treatment.
Diet as part of therapy
Of course, nutrition is an important part of therapy. A properly composed diet will help accelerate the healing process of the patient. Food should be light, but at the same time provide the body with the necessary nutrients. Good on the patient's condition will affect cereals, vegetable and fruit soups.
Be sure to exclude from the diet fried and fatty foods, spicy and smoked foods, spices, sour fruits, in short, everything that can irritate the intestinal mucosa. It is also worth strictly limiting the amount of black bread, milk, various fruit compotes.
The best option is fractional nutrition, and you need to eat often (6-7 times a day), but in small portions - this will provide quick digestion of food. Since acute gastroenterocolitis is associated with dehydration, it is necessary to maintain water balance by consuming at least 2-3 liters of purified water per day.
All these measures not only help get rid of the disease, but also restore the functions of the digestive system.