Enterocolitis is a fairly common disease, accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the small or large intestine. Such a disease can occur for various reasons. However, it is important to know what the symptoms of enterocolitis look like. After all, a person with similar problems needs the help of a doctor.
Causes and forms of enterocolitis
As already mentioned, the inflammatory process can be caused by various factors of the internal or external environment. Therefore, before considering the main symptoms of enterocolitis, it is worth learning about its forms. To date, it is customary to distinguish several types of inflammation, depending on the causes of its occurrence:
- Alimentary enterocolitis results from malnutrition.
- There are also toxic forms of the disease caused by poisoning.
- Helminths and other parasites can also lead to the development of enterocolitis.
- The mechanical form of the disease results from prolonged constipation.
- Quite often, inflammation develops against the background of other diseases of the digestive tract. In this case, enterocolitis is called secondary.
- In addition, a bacterial infection is often the cause.
Symptoms of enterocolitis
The acute form of the disease begins, respectively, acutely and is accompanied by very clear signs. Abdominal pain, bloating, rumbling, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, fever, weakness, body aches, headache are all symptoms of enterocolitis. In addition, in the presence of a bacterial infection in the feces there is mucus, and sometimes blood impurities. The disease is completely different if a person has chronic enterocolitis. Symptoms in such cases are less pronounced, but from time to time there are periods of exacerbation, which are accompanied by abdominal pain. In addition, patients suffer from constipation or diarrhea. As a result of the chronic process, the small intestine gradually loses its functions, as a result of which the human body does not receive enough nutrients and nutrients. Therefore, in patients it is often possible to observe constant fatigue and weakness, weight loss, apathy, vitamin deficiency, etc.
Treatment and diagnosis of enterocolitis
As a rule, the diagnosis of acute enterocolitis is not difficult: only blood and stool tests are needed. In some cases, additional studies are carried out, in particular retroscopy. As for treatment, the choice of methods depends on the severity and origin of the disease:
- In order to eliminate pain, prescribe antispasmodic and pain medication.
- In some cases, preparations containing enzymes are also used, since during the treatment it is extremely important to restore bowel function.
- In the presence of infection, antibiotics are used.
- In addition, probiotics are prescribed to the patient, which restore the normal composition of microflora and improve digestion.
- Sometimes enemas are additionally carried out using decoctions of medicinal plants.
- With severe vomiting and diarrhea, it is necessary to monitor the drinking regimen to prevent the development of dehydration.
- An extremely important part of therapy is a proper diet, which should include light, wholesome, low-fat foods, such as cereals in water.