One of the rather rare, but insidious diseases is pneumatosis of the intestine. It is diagnosed more often in young children and the elderly; pregnant women are also at risk. The disease is caused by the formation of air cysts in the intestinal walls, that is, gases from the stomach do not pass through the mucous membrane and do not enter the circulatory system.
As a result of this, they linger in the gastrointestinal tract, and many cysts are formed, which significantly impede the functioning of the intestine. Sometimes the diameter of the cyst can be more than 1 cm! How to avoid such an unpleasant disease, how to diagnose it correctly and how to treat intestinal pneumatosis, we learn from this article.
What is this disease?
The cause may be intestinal obstruction due to polyps in the rectum, peristalsis, infections, tumors, and other pathologies. In such cases, difficulties arise with the release of gases in a natural way, an excess of gases in the digestive tract, and as a result - the formation of a cyst. It is noted that intestinal pneumatosis is most often diagnosed in the walls of the small intestine.
Causes of pathology
Unfortunately, the exact causes of this disease have not yet been established. But there is an assumption that three main factors contribute to its development:
- excess gas formation in the intestinal lumen that occurs during the breakdown of sugars by bacteria;
- accumulation of gases due to impaired intestinal motility;
- gases penetrate the intestinal wall due to increased mucosal permeability.
Intestinal pneumatosis can wear a secondary form, that is, be a consequence of intestinal infections, inflammatory and other diseases.
Symptoms of this disease
This disease is characterized by spasms of the large and small intestines, accompanied by bloating - as a result, bowel constriction may occur, and in some areas there will be an increased gas content! At risk, young children - the disease can complicate a number of infections and gastrointestinal diseases characteristic of infants, in addition, newborns do not move much, which also contributes to the progression of the disease. With pneumatosis of the intestine, treatment and nutrition should be selected by a doctor.
Forms of pathology
Three main forms of this ailment are classified:
- Initial or moderate pneumosis - the nature of the lesions is small, perhaps only 1 cyst is present, the patient is not particularly concerned about the symptoms.
- Increased - several sections of the intestine are affected, nodes are present, the symptoms are pronounced.
- Pronounced - a large area of damage, many cysts, inflammation of the intestine.
Intestinal pneumatosis can also develop in a pregnant woman - during gestation, the organs move, the fetus compresses the intestines, and activity decreases. And this is fertile ground for the symptoms of this disease. Pathology can be detected in a timely manner during a planned ultrasound, and treatment must be started immediately - during childbirth, the cyst can enter the fragile body of the child.
Important! Most often, pneumatosis develops against the background of an imbalance in the activity of the gastrointestinal tract. And therefore, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to regularly, 2-3 times a year, check the body for existing or developing diseases and get timely specialist advice and recommendations for treatment.
What is intestinal pneumatosis in adults is now clear. But how to identify it?
How to recognize an ailment?
The complexity of the diagnosis lies in the fact that with severe intestinal pneumatosis, exactly the same symptoms appear as with other gastrointestinal diseases.
And since the disease is quite rare, it is not easy for specialists to accurately diagnose its symptoms. The main signs of the disease are diarrhea, bloating, colic, pain due to an excess of gas. In young children, vomiting, severe flatulence and general well-being are also possible. If you do not take measures, there is a risk of rupture of the intestine - cysts begin to burst due to the constantly increasing pressure in the peritoneum. Peritonitis develops.
Urgent hospitalization in what cases is needed?
The following symptoms are the reason for immediate hospitalization:
- severe pain in the abdominal region;
- a sharp deterioration in well-being;
- low pressure;
- pallor of the skin;
- complete or partial absence of peristalsis;
- state of shock.
In the absence of adequate treatment, complications such as bowel obstruction due to the large number of cysts, increased intraintestinal pressure and the formation of loops, the development of adhesions due to the proliferation of cysts, and also the death of mucosal areas are possible. There is also intestinal pneumosis in the baby.
Thus, it is very important to identify and start treatment in a timely manner - this will avoid serious complications and even death.
Methods for the diagnosis of pathology
Firstly, at the initial appointment, an experienced doctor can detect air bubbles during palpation of the abdominal region. In this case, the patient can feel gas bubbles bursting in the abdomen. But this is possible if large sections of the intestinal wall are affected, and in practice it happens quite rarely.
Secondly, to clarify the diagnosis, an x-ray with a contrast medium is performed. This examination allows you to determine the place of accumulation of gas bubbles and to know the size of the cysts.
Upon further examination, the patient must undergo an endoscopy procedure, which is a very effective diagnostic method for this disease. A special device is placed in the intestinal cavity with the help of which the doctor can evaluate and visually examine the condition of cysts and other parts of the intestine. If more accurate studies are needed, the patient is prescribed a tissue analysis of the damaged intestine for a biopsy or is sent for computed tomography.
The causes of intestinal pneumatosis should be determined before starting therapy. Only then will it be effective.
Treatment
Since pneumatosis is not an independent disease, but arising against the background of various pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, the treatment should be aimed at eliminating the root causes that caused impaired absorption of gases. Therefore, it is very important not to self-medicate, but to contact a qualified specialist to get the necessary recommendations.
First of all, intestinal peristalsis needs to be restored - such drugs as Prepulsid or Cerucal can help.
The next step is to restore the intestinal microflora with the help of probiotics. If an intestinal infection is detected, the doctor will prescribe antibacterial or antiviral drugs, as well as immunostimulants. If there are signs of diarrhea, it is recommended to take the preparations "Motilium", "Imodium". In practice, inhalations with oxygen have proven themselves well, under the influence of which improvement and subsequently recovery sooner come. To relieve pain and spasms, analgesics and antispasmodics are prescribed (Drotaverin, Baralgin).
Medicines such as Dufalac, Forlax, or alternative methods that, by the way, have established themselves well in treating pneumatosis, solve the problem of constipation — fruit decoctions are widely used: plums, apricots, and apples are rich in healthy fiber, and parsley seed decoction and dill is the most commonly used infusion. Indoor plants are also used for medicinal purposes - for example, aloe tincture relieves inflammation and activates peristalsis. To get rid of colic and pain, use a decoction or alcohol tincture of peppermint leaves.
Meteospasmil or Espumisan preparations reduce the process of gas formation; a diet with a low carbohydrate content is necessarily prescribed.
Diet for intestinal pneumatosis in adults
Proper nutrition is an important point that must be followed without fail. Frequent meals in small portions are recommended to avoid stretching the injured areas of the stomach. Tasty but “unhealthy” foods are removed from the diet: fried, greasy, salty and spicy, coffee and spirits. And also products that promote the appearance of gases should be completely eliminated. It:
- carbonated drinks;
- gooseberries, grapes;
- radish, cabbage, legumes, radishes, pears and green apples;
- sweets and pastries.
Dieting is not easy, but health is more expensive! You can cook light vegetable soups or on a broth containing lean meat, boiled vegetables, cereals, dairy products are also recommended. Drink a rosehip broth, fruit jelly, milk or green tea.
Of course, there are neglected cases - and then, unfortunately, surgical intervention cannot be avoided - remove the affected area of the intestine.
Easier to warn than to treat
Any disease can be treated much easier and faster with timely professional diagnosis. In this regard, it is necessary to undergo medical examinations at least 2 times a year, and if a disease is detected, undergo the entire prescribed course of treatment.
Intestinal pneumatosis has nonspecific symptoms and is difficult to diagnose. If signs of this disease are found, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor, and not to self-medicate. The use of traditional medicine is permissible only after a visit and consultation with a doctor.
In general, this disease is quite rare, so it is important to listen to your body, not to miss important symptoms and not to bring the situation to a critical state.
And in order to minimize the risk of diseases, it is necessary to strive to lead a healthy lifestyle - eat properly and fully, eliminate harmful bad habits, make friends with medicine, play sports or exercise physically. Be healthy!