Bowel atony is a fairly common problem that is diagnosed in both adult patients and young children. The disease is accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the intestinal wall, resulting in a serious violation of peristalsis. Patients suffer from constant constipation. If untreated, atony can damage the intestinal wall.
Of course, many people are looking for more information about the disease. Why does intestinal atony develop? What to do in such cases? How dangerous can a pathology be? What symptoms should I look for? Answers to these questions are important for many patients.
General information about the disease
Atony of the intestine in humans is a pathology that is accompanied by a decrease in the tone of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. Against the background of such changes, intestinal motility is disturbed, as a result of which the rate of advancement of food masses to the final sections of the digestive tube (to the rectum) is significantly slowed down.
As you know, normally each section of the colon makes about 14 peristaltic contractions per minute. If this indicator falls, then feces begin to accumulate in the intestine. That is why the main problem that patients face is persistent, chronic constipation. This pathology is diagnosed not only in adults and elderly patients - newborn children often become victims of the disease.
The main causes of the development of pathology
According to statistics, residents of developed countries often suffer from intestinal atony, in which a large percentage of the population eats high-calorie foods and leads a sedentary lifestyle. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to accurately determine the causes of a decrease in the tone of the intestinal wall, but some risk factors can still be distinguished:
- It is believed that in this case there is a genetic predisposition. If someone from direct relatives suffered from a similar disease, then the likelihood of its development is higher.
- Of course, one of the most common causes is malnutrition. If there is no fiber in the diet, and instead the patient prefers high-calorie foods with a high content of saturated fats and sugar, then the tone of the muscles of the intestinal wall weakens.
- Hypodynamia, lack of physical activity, sedentary work - all this affects the processes of reduction of the intestinal wall.
- Risk factors include constant stress, psycho-emotional overstrain. If the central nervous system is constantly amenable to adverse effects, then this immediately affects the work of all organ systems.
- Often diagnosed with intestinal atony in elderly patients. In this case, the weakening of the intestinal wall is more or less related to aging processes.
- Potentially dangerous is dysbiosis, as well as some intestinal infections. A change in the natural composition of microflora leads to a disruption in normal digestion, which can lead to a change in peristalsis.
- A prolonged use of antispasmodic drugs and morphine-like analgesics leads to intestinal atony.
- The list of possible causes include parasitic diseases of the intestine (helminthiasis).
- Atony can be associated with the formation and growth of malignant tumors in the intestine.
- There is the so-called postoperative intestinal atony, which develops after surgery on the abdominal organs.
- Potentially dangerous is the abuse of alcohol, since ethanol adversely affects the central nervous system, disrupting the innervation of the intestinal wall.
- Risk factors include smoking. Despite the fact that at first nicotine stimulates intestinal motility, the work of the walls of the digestive tract gradually worsens.
- People with drug addiction often suffer from atony. The intake of substances from the opiate group leads to a significant decrease in the tone of smooth muscles (the process affects all internal organs, not only the intestines).
What symptoms are worth paying attention to?
Symptoms of intestinal atony may be different. In this case, it all depends on the stage of development of the disease and the degree of weakening of the walls of the digestive tract:
- The main sign of atony is constipation. Such a violation is indicated if bowel movements occur less than once every 2-3 days. Emptying problems are directly related to impaired intestinal motility.
- Patients complain of bloating, discomfort, and even abdominal pain. Flatulence is also included in the list of symptoms.
- Since the processes of assimilation of the gland are disturbed against the background of atony, the development of anemia is possible. The ailment is accompanied by severe weakness, insomnia, increased irritability, dizziness. The patient's skin becomes pale.
- Against the background of prolonged constipation, solid fecal stones form in the intestine, which can damage the mucous membrane of the rectum (slight bleeding is possible during bowel movements).
- Due to the accumulation of feces in the intestine, putrefactive processes are activated. Toxins and harmful substances enter the bloodstream, which is accompanied by fever, nausea, weakness and other symptoms of intoxication.
- Atony and constipation lead to a violation of the composition of the intestinal microflora. This is fraught with a significant decrease in the activity of the immune system, as well as allergic reactions.
If such signs appear, you should definitely consult a doctor. In no case should you ignore the problem.
What is dangerous intestinal atony?
In no case should you ignore such a disease. If untreated, intestinal atony can lead to dangerous consequences.
Feces accumulate in the intestines, which sometimes leads to the formation of fecal stones. In addition, if defecation is absent for a long time, then toxins begin to accumulate in the body, which in some cases enter the bloodstream. The absorption of vitamins and some other useful substances occurs precisely in the large intestine - atony is often associated with severe forms of vitamin deficiency.
Chronic constipation can lead to the development of hemorrhoids, the formation of anal fissures. It is believed that intestinal atony in the absence of timely therapy increases the risk of cancer. It is proved that a similar pathology in the presence of other conditions can lead to the development of inflammatory bowel diseases.
And do not forget that constant constipation is accompanied by discomfort, abdominal pain, bloating, and this simply cannot but affect the patient’s emotional and mental state.
Diagnostic measures
Extremely important in this case is the diagnosis. The doctor needs not only to confirm the presence of atony, but also to find out the causes of its occurrence.
- Mandatory is the collection of anamnesis. During a general examination, the doctor collects information not only about the presence of certain symptoms, but also about the patient’s lifestyle, his daily diet and other aspects. On palpation, you may notice that the patient’s abdomen is swollen.
- A coprogram is being conducted. Feces are examined for signs of blood, as well as helminths and protozoa. Sometimes bacteriological culture is additionally carried out (this helps to assess the composition of the natural microflora, to determine the presence of fungal or bacterial infection).
- Irrigoscopy and contrast radiography are shown to patients - this helps the doctor evaluate the work of the intestines, determine the presence of organic lesions.
- Sometimes a colonoscopy is additionally performed (with the help of endoscopic equipment, the doctor examines the colon) and a biopsy (if malignant tumors are suspected).
Drug therapy: what helps with atony?
Treatment of intestinal atony must be comprehensive. Depending on the presence of certain symptoms, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate medications:
- Widely used "Pancreatin", "Festal" and other enzyme medicines that improve digestion.
- If there is a distention, Espumisan is prescribed to patients - the product reduces the amount of gas produced, thereby relieving unpleasant sensations in the stomach.
- Proserinum is also effective for intestinal atony. This medicine improves neuromuscular conduction, accelerates the process of transmission of nerve impulses to the intestinal wall, thereby enhancing motility. The drug is used only in a hospital setting.
- Strengthen intestinal motility will also help the drug Metoclopramide.
- Sometimes laxatives are used. A good option in this case is Regulax, which contains senna extract. The medicine softens the stool and facilitates the process of their discharge.
Of course, only a doctor can choose drugs with intestinal atony. Do not try to cope with the disease yourself.
The right diet for patients with atony
Diet for intestinal atony is extremely important. Using a properly designed diet, you can relieve the burden on the digestive organs and improve intestinal motility:
- From the diet you need to exclude sugar, pastries, fatty meats and other high-calorie foods.
- Useful for constipation are carrots, boiled beets, pumpkin, bran bread, herbs, as well as plums, dried apricots, prunes.
- It is worth abandoning fruits and berries, which are astringent. Pears, dogwood, blueberries, and pomegranates possess such properties.
- It is recommended to limit the amount of foods such as radishes, cabbage, garlic, legumes, mushrooms, radishes, onions in the diet, as they irritate the intestinal mucosa and activate gas formation processes.
- Sour-milk products will help improve digestion. The menu must include kefir, yogurt, yogurt. They not only help fight constipation, but also support the vital functions of the beneficial intestinal microflora.
- In the diet, you can and should include broths, meat and fish, but only low-fat varieties. They are best baked or steamed - fried foods are prohibited.
- Porridge, in particular millet, buckwheat, and barley, will be useful.
- The menu needs to be enriched with vegetable oils. Before going to bed, doctors recommend taking a spoonful of olive (or other) vegetable oil - this will help eliminate stool problems.
- Chocolate, coffee, strong tea, rice and rich broths should be abandoned at least temporarily.
- It is very important to monitor the drinking regimen. A day you need to drink at least 1.5-2 liters of clean water. Doctors recommend in the morning to drink a glass of still mineral water - this will help trigger intestinal motility.
- Food should not be too hard, cold or, conversely, hot - it only irritates the mucous membranes of the digestive tract.
Other therapeutic measures
As already mentioned, intestinal atony requires an integrated therapeutic approach. In addition to diet, physical activity is an important part of treatment. Suitable swimming, long walks. Useful are exercises that are aimed at strengthening the abdomen. Contraction of the abdominal wall stimulates the intestines, helps to get rid of gases, improves blood circulation.
In addition, regular massage of the abdomen will be useful - it is better to entrust it to an experienced massage therapist.
Atony of the intestine: folk remedies
You already know why the disease develops and what symptoms are accompanied. Medication for intestinal atony, coupled with the right diet, will certainly have an effect. But the therapy can be supplemented with some home-made remedies (with the permission of the doctor, of course):
- Large leaf green tea is a good remedy for intestinal atony. The leaves need to be crushed in a coffee grinder, and the resulting "Dust" taken four times a day (before meals) half a teaspoon.
- A decoction of flax seeds is also considered useful, which, incidentally, has a beneficial effect not only on the intestines, but also on the mucous membranes of the stomach. A tablespoon of seeds should be poured with a glass of hot water, then put on fire and bring to a boil. The dishes are then covered with a lid, wrapped in a terry towel or blanket and insisted for an hour. You do not need to filter the broth - the medicine is taken along with the seeds, three tablespoons three times a day.
- Helps and a decoction of dry grass of a series (sold in a pharmacy). Two tablespoons of the raw material are poured into 0.5 liters of water, put on a small fire and brought to a boil. The broth should be infused for at least 30 minutes - then it can be filtered. The medicine is taken twice a day in a glass.
- To help with constipation, porridge made from pumpkins will help.
- From time to time it is worth preparing a salad of boiled beets with prunes, seasoning it with vegetable oil - this also helps to establish the process of bowel movement.
Of course, before you start using any traditional medicine, you need to consult a specialist.
Prevention: how to prevent the development or complication of an ailment?
Unfortunately, there are no specific drugs that would make it possible to avoid the development of an ailment. Prevention in this case comes down to very simple measures:
- Important is a proper diet. Vitamins, minerals and plant fibers must be present in the diet, which stimulate intestinal motility. By the way, some food products (for example, beets, prunes) help to cope with constipation and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
- Therapeutic exercises, regular walks, swimming, in a word, any physical activity will positively affect the work of the intestines.
- Of course, all diseases of the digestive tract must promptly respond to adequate treatment.
Having noticed a symptom of intestinal atony, you should definitely consult a specialist. The sooner therapy is started, the less likely it is to develop various complications.