Inflammation in the intestines: symptoms, treatment and prevention

The digestive tract consists of several departments, in each of which a certain stage of digestion of food is carried out. The intestine has a special, most important role, since it is the final cleavage of products into simple compounds, which are then absorbed into the blood. Therefore, inflammation in the intestine negatively affects the overall well-being of the person, as in pathology the normal functioning of all cells of the body is disrupted.

The effect of the intestine on the general condition of the body is also due to the fact that in all its departments a continuous synthesis of extremely important biologically active substances that help in strengthening the immune system occurs. The intestine consists of three parts: the duodenum, the large and small intestine. Inflammation of the intestine is indicated by the defeat of any of them.

Types of pathological disorders

By frequency of treatment with characteristic complaints inflammatory bowel diseases occupy the 2 nd place among diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In connection with the prevalence of this type of pathological disorders, a definite classification of diseases was developed, with the development of which the intestine is inflamed.

The systematization is based on such characteristics of the inflammatory process as localization, duration of the disease, as well as the causes of its occurrence.

Depending on where the pathological focus is located, bowel damage can manifest as:

• Duodenitis is an inflammatory process affecting the mucosa of the duodenum.
• Enteritis - inflammation of the mucous membranes of the lower parts of the small intestine: both focal and generalized.
• Colitis - in this case the mucosa of the large intestine becomes inflamed. It can also be localized or distributed to the entire department.
• Mesadenitis - in the diagnosis of this pathological disorder lymph nodes located in all parts of the intestine become inflamed.

For the duration of the disease can be:

• acute - inflammation fails to stop within one month;
• chronic - the pathological process can not be eliminated even after 6 months.

great importance etiology of disease that affects the choice of treatment strategy in each clinical case:

• infectious lesions - in establishing bacterial inflammation is a question of acute intestinal infections;
• to non-communicable diseases include inflammatory processes, which develop on the background of the progression of autoimmune diseases, disorders of balance diet, genetic predisposition, and so forth.

Systematics pathological disorders play a significant role during diagnostic procedures, because it is dependent upon it treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.

Why inflammation develops

inflammatory processes involving the mucous membranes of the intestines of various departments to pay close attention, as resulting from these complications are quite serious.

Establishing the cause of the development of pathology helps to develop an effective treatment tactic, which guarantees absolute cure of the patient.

Diseases of this group can provoke:

• bacterial contamination( salmonellosis, shigellosis, E. coli, viruses, protozoa);
• helminthic invasion;
• autoimmune diseases;
• hereditary predisposition, in particular genetically caused disturbances in the production of certain enzymes;
• unbalanced food, preference for spicy, smoked, fatty dishes, and overeating can trigger the onset of inflammation;
• Disturbance of microcirculation in the affected bowel as a result of atherosclerotic changes;
• intoxication of the body as a result of consuming poor-quality food;
• a change in the composition of the microflora present in the intestine - especially often this arises as a result of antibiotic therapy.

Knowing the causes that can trigger inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, it is possible in most cases to prevent, not putting this much effort.

How does a pathological condition

When a person develops an inflammatory process in the intestine, are the following nature of the symptoms:

• appearance of bursting or compressing pain, to determine the place of their localization difficult - the feeling of pain, usually refers to the characteristic symptoms of gut inflammationIn the small and large intestine;
• nausea, most often after eating, can indicate damage to the mucous membranes of the duodenum, as well as the small intestine;
• inflammation of the intestines and stomach is accompanied by the appearance of vomiting after eating, while the patient is relieved after vomiting;
• frequently occurring phenomena of flatulence are manifestations of the inadequacy of the production of certain digestive enzymes;
• stool disorders;In acute processes, the appearance of diarrhea is typical, and in inflammatory diseases of the large intestine symptoms are supplemented with constipation;
• increased body temperature;
• development of anemic state as a result of impaired absorption of iron from food;
• significant weight loss.

Specific symptoms have pathological processes developing in the following sections of the intestine:

• When inflammation of the cecum symptoms is the appearance of pain, localizing in the right iliac region, which after some time after eating intensified. Additionally, patients complain of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and high body temperature.
• Symptoms of inflammation in the ileum are similar to those in the small intestine.
• Disorder of the colon is manifested in the same way as inflammation of the large intestine. Provoke the development of this pathological condition can reduce physical activity, often occurring constipation and eating foods with a high content of preservatives.

Knowing what symptoms accompany the development of inflammation in a particular intestine, the doctor may prescribe adequate treatment.

Complications

can not ignore the existence of lesions of the mucous membrane of the intestine, as this may lead to the transition of the disease into a chronic form. If a person present symptoms of chronic inflammation of the intestine, it can cause severe complications:

• development of fistulas( passages that connect the intestine to nearby organs);
• narrowing the lumen of the intestine until obstruction;
• significant increase in body temperature;
• formation on the surface of the skin of rashes and ulcers;
• damage to the organs of vision;
• joint disease;
• liver pathology.

These complications with equal possibility may occur in both adult women and men, and in children. Particular attention should be given to the appearance of constipation in infants, because the weak development of the child's organism causes a faster formation of severe pathologies.

Necessary examination

For differentiated diagnosis, specialists apply both laboratory and instrumental methods:

• clinical study of blood - the presence of inflammation in the body says the change indicators such analysis as erythrocyte sedimentation rate, growth in the number of leukocyte cells, as well as decrease in hemoglobin;
• coprogram is a specific study of fecal masses for determining the functioning of the intestine, identifying the deficiency of enzymes necessary for digestion;
• bacteriological culture of stool - to determine the presence of pathogenic microflora;
• endoscopic methods - when performing fibrogastroduodenoscopy, a specialist receives a visual representation of the mucosal state in the upper intestine. When it is necessary to examine the mucous in the lower parts, the colonoscopy method is used.

Therapeutic measures

When a patient having inflammatory bowel disease symptoms, treatment, and provides a comprehensive approach aimed at solving several problems:

1. After a detailed examination of the causes and differentiation of the inflammatory process is carried etiotropic treatment , aimed at their elimination. Drug therapy depends on the type of agent - is carried out in bacterial lesion antibiotic therapy in exacerbations of autoimmune diseases appointed immunosuppressants if helminthic infestations - worming agent.
2. The diet of is an integral part of the treatment for inflammation of the intestines. At the same time, a diet is specially developed, from which fatty, sharp, spicy foods are excluded. All dishes should be boiled or steamed. Beneficial effect on the intestinal mucosa is the use of fermented milk products.
3. is based on the prescription of drugs that have an anti-inflammatory effect, as well as sorbents. To improve the digestive process, the addition of enzymes is also prescribed( Pancreatin, Mezim).
4. To reduce the intensity of symptoms of bowel disease, is symptomatic therapy with medications. With increased gas formation, such drugs as Espumizan are prescribed, with pain sensations - antispasmodics, for example, Drotaverin.

Often when symptoms of an inflamed bowel occur, treatment with diet therapy is fundamental, since trauma to its mucous membranes is caused by a malnutrition.

For the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease folk remedies used different herbs, teas and infusions of herbal( fennel, buckthorn, licorice, anise), of marigold flowers.

What if there are constipation? Regularly eat crushed dried apricots, prunes, figs, mixed with aloe juice.

Health food

When diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases, the doctor will develop recommendations for diet. First of all, the number of meals changes( up to 6-7 times a day), the sizes of portions are reduced. Everyday menu should consist mainly of products rich in proteins.

The consumption of salt by the patient, as well as dairy products and containing coarse fiber, is limited. Increases the amount of fluid consumed.

Experts recommend to diversify the usual menu broth lean meats and poultry, boiled vegetables, fruit, fish, as well as products containing a large amount of potassium and calcium.

How to prevent the development of disease

development of inflammatory processes in the intestine can be prevented, if you observe the following guidelines:

• Unsubscribe from malnutrition, snacks in the form of sandwiches. Food should not only be useful, but also easy to digest.
• Do not allow the development of pathologies of the vascular system.
• If you have a history of autoimmune diseases, systematically take drugs that stop their manifestation.
• Introduce in practice daily walks in the open air and physical exercises.

A timely visit to the doctor at the first manifestations of intestinal lesions will help get rid of the pathological condition in a short time, and also prevent the development of severe complications.

Even after successful treatment, it is not necessary to neglect the principles of proper nutrition, as repeated systematic use of excessively fatty, smoked food can trigger the recurrence of the disease.

Author: Elena Streletskaya, doctor,
specially for Moizhivot.ru

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