Bowel diseases and symptoms. Lower abdominal pain

The intestine is an abdominal organ, consisting of the large, small and rectum and belongs to two systems of the human body at once: the system of excretion and digestion. The mucous membranes of the intestinal walls are inhabited by a large number of beneficial bacteria involved in digestion processes. Undigested food, toxic substances, microbes form into a fecal lump and are excreted from the body through the rectum. In the large and small intestines, the final absorption of minerals, salts, amino acids and other beneficial substances, as well as water, therefore, the health of the whole organism and the state of the immune system depend on the work of this organ person.

Bowel diseases can be infectious or parasitic in nature. Some pathologies (for example, colitis) develop as a result of mechanical or chemical action on the intestinal wall. The main symptom of abnormalities in the functioning of the organ is pain in the lower abdomen - it appears in about 90% of cases. Other signs depend on the localization of the inflammatory process, its cause and other factors. The gastroenterologist deals with the treatment of pathologies of the small intestine. If the colon and rectum are affected, you should consult a coloproctologist. If there are no narrowly specialized specialists in a medical institution, the treatment will be prescribed by a therapist.

Infectious diseases

Intestinal infections (acute intestinal infections) - a group of acute inflammatory processes affecting predominantly mucous and submucous layers, and arise against the background of active growth of pathogenic flora in the lumen intestines. Poor hand hygiene and poor heat treatment are the main causes of intestinal infections. products in which pathogenic bacteria and E. coli are most often found (meat, fish, eggs).

Almost all intestinal infections begin with vomiting. It is usually multiple, does not provide relief, and contains bits of undigested food. During the first day, bouts of vomiting can be repeated every 1.5-2 hours. The most acute period is considered the first 4-6 hours from the moment of the first discharge of vomit: vomiting during the specified period may occur every 15 minutes. Other symptoms that appear almost at the same time as vomiting include:

• febrile fever (body temperature above 39 °);
• intestinal cramps and acute pain in the lower abdomen (a person complains that his stomach is "twisting");
• refusal to eat;
• drowsiness (the total duration of sleep can be up to 16-20 hours a day);
• acute infectious diarrhea.

In children, the heartbeat may increase, in some cases there is a decrease in blood pressure.

Treatment

Intestinal infections can be viral (intestinal flu, enterovirus infection) or bacterial in nature. Diseases of bacterial origin include: dysentery, tuberculosis, salmonellosis, syphilis. The basis of basic therapy will depend on the causative agent of the pathology. In case of viral lesions, antiviral drugs are prescribed ("Arbidol», «Ergoferon"), Antibiotics will be required to treat bacterial pathologies. These can be systemic drugs ("Amosin», «Panclave") Or agents acting only in the intestinal lumen, for example,"Enterofuril».

To remove toxic substances, the patient is prescribed sorbents ("Polysorb», «Smecta»). An obligatory item for the treatment of acute intestinal infections is rehydration agents in the form of saline solutions ("Regidron», «Hydrovit»). They must be diluted in accordance with the instructions and consumed in small sips every 5-10 minutes.

Important! With symptoms of severe dehydration (lack of urine, dry lips and mouth, pathological pallor of the skin) urgent hospitalization in an infectious diseases hospital is required for infusion therapy. Inpatient care is also required for infants in the first year of life and women at any gestational age.

What diseases can the lower abdomen hurt?

If the pain is localized in the lower abdomen, the cause is most often a disease of the large or small intestine. The symptoms of most diseases of this group are very similar, therefore, for an accurate diagnosis, the patient is always assigned a comprehensive examination, including hardware and laboratory methods.

Congestive intestinal loop

This is a fairly common pathology of the small intestine, characterized by a decrease in the tone of the cecum and the creation of favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic flora. The disease has a second name - blind intestinal loop syndrome. Most often, the pathology develops against the background of persistent congestion after surgery for restoration of the continuity of the intestine after resection or cessation of the functioning of any of it parts. In some cases, blockage of the small intestine is observed with systemic damage to the digestive tract (Crohn's disease), intestinal tuberculosis, or diverticulitis.

Signs of a congested intestinal loop can be:

• dull or dagger-like pain in the lower abdomen;
• fatty, shiny feces (occurs as a result of impaired fat absorption);
• discomfort during bowel movements;
• nausea and dyspepsia (rare).

It is very difficult to suspect a disease at home, therefore, if these symptoms appear, you should seek medical help.

Treatment of pathology requires repeated surgical intervention. Recovery after surgery, subject to all doctor's prescriptions, takes about 2-3 weeks.

Video - Three tests for bowel disease

Chronic colon stasis

The disease develops against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, bad habits, insufficient consumption of foods containing coarse plant fibers. Chronic digestive disorders can also lead to colonic stasis, so it is important to regularly undergo preventive examinations, especially if a person is at risk for stomach diseases and intestines. Colon stasis is characterized by dystonia of the intestinal walls and delayed movement of the food bolus. In severe cases, intestinal motility is completely absent - such a clinical picture requires surgical intervention (it may be necessary to remove the intestinal stoma).

Signs of colon dystonia include:

• pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen (may radiate to the rectum);
• painful urge to defecate;
• the release of mucus from the anus in the absence of a chair;
• lack of stool for several days;
• pain during bowel movement;
• bloating;
• decreased performance, fatigue and other manifestations of intoxication.

Treatment of pathology is always complex. The patient needs to adjust the diet and increase the content of vegetable fiber in the menu. With the weakness of the intestinal walls, physiotherapy, massage, mud treatment, contrast shower are useful. In the absence of stool for a long time, laxatives based on lactulose can be used ("Good luck», «Duphalac»). To restore the intestinal microflora and normalize the digestive processes, the intake of probiotics is indicated ("Normobact», «Linex»).

Inflammation of Meckel's diverticulum

Diverticulitis is an inflammation of the sac-like protrusions that form in organs that have a hollow or tubular structure. Intestinal diverticulitis in 90% of cases is localized in the ileum and occurs against the background of inflammation of Meckel's diverticulum. It is formed as a result of incomplete overgrowth of the yolk-intestinal duct - a channel that participates in the nutrition of the fetus during intrauterine development.

To diagnose pathology, various methods of hardware diagnostics can be used: ultrasound, colonoscopy, radiography using contrast solutions. Of great importance is the collection of a medical history, which includes the patient's complaints. These may include:

• pain in the lower abdomen, mainly on the left side (it is monotonous and does not go away during the day);
• increased painful sensations during movement, coughing;
• bloody discharge from the anus (blood streaks mixed with feces may be found);
• liquefaction of the stool;
• febrile syndrome (high fever, fever, chills, drowsiness);
• severe intoxication (vomiting, nausea, refusal to eat, weakness).

Treatment of diverticulitis in uncomplicated course can be carried out with the help of drugs. The classical treatment regimen for diverticulitis in adult patients is shown in the table.

Group of drugs	What medications should I take?	Image	Treatment regimen
Antibacterial drugs from the second generation cephalosporin group	"Mefoxin"	Mefoxin	It is injected into a vein by a jet method 3-4 times a day for 7-10 days. A single dosage is 2 g. Starting from the tenth day of treatment, the drug is changed to broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents, for example, "Metronidazole" (1 tablet 2 times a day for 10 days)
Drotaverine-based antispasmodic for elimination of spasms and pain relief	"Spazmol" "Spazmonet"	Spazmonet	Drotaverine 20-40 mg 3-4 times daily before meals. Duration of admission - from 3 to 7 days
Histamine blockers (needed to eliminate swelling of the intestinal walls)	Loratadin Claritin "Suprastin"	Claritin	1 tablet daily for 10 days
Laxative medicines	"Normaze" "Duphalac" "Lactulose"	Duphalac	15-45 ml per day, followed by a decrease in dosage to 10-15 ml and complete withdrawal of the drug

Important! In the absence of the effect of treatment with drugs, the patient is shown surgical therapy. If there are signs of perforation or rupture of the diverticulum, the operation is performed on an emergency basis without prior diagnosis.

Duodenitis

This is an acute or chronic inflammatory process in the duodenum, often associated with inflammation of the stomach or other parts of the intestine. The symptomatology of the disease differs depending on the form of the pathology, therefore, persons predisposed to inflammatory bowel pathologies need to be able to distinguish between acute and chronic duodenitis.

Signs of inflammation of the duodenum

Symptoms	Image	Acute form	Chronic form
Abdominal pain		Pain in the epigastric region, aggravated by palpation with possible tension of the abdominal walls (a poor diagnostic sign that may indicate a phlegmonous form of inflammation)	Constant dull pain in the epigastric space, accompanied by a feeling of pressure, heaviness and distention
Body temperature		Rises to 38 ° and above	Does not rise
Nausea and vomiting		Pronounced, vomiting can be repeated, but most often mild	May occur after eating

With any form of duodenitis, the patient has constant weakness, drowsiness, headaches. Appetite is disturbed, against which the patient can lose weight.

Treatment of the disease in the acute period includes nutritional therapy (table number 1a with the subsequent transition to table number 1b) and drug correction. To normalize the acidity of the gastric and intestinal environment, antacids are shown ("Maalox», «Rennie"), In case of severe pain, it is necessary to take remedies that relax smooth muscles ("No-shpa», «Papaverine»).

Important! Patients with chronic forms of duodenitis need inpatient treatment aimed at preventing repeated relapses. Scheduled clinical examination should be carried out once a year.

Intestinal neoplastic diseases

This is a group of pathologies that very rarely can be diagnosed at an early stage, since they are practically asymptomatic. Some of the neoplastic diseases can be very severe (for example, colorectal cancer), therefore it is necessary to know all the signs and symptoms that may indicate the presence of tumors in the intestines.

Polyposis

Polyps are benign formations of the intestinal mucous membranes, the risk of malignancy (transformation into cancer) of which is less than 3.2%. In most cases, polyps do not bother a person in any way, but this does not mean that they do not need to be treated. Multiple polyps, as well as formations that "sit" on a twisted leg, can cause profuse bleeding, so when diagnosing polyps, it is better to remove them immediately.

It is almost impossible to recognize the pathology on your own, since the disease has no obvious signs. The following symptoms should alert a person:

• drops of blood in the toilet, on underwear, or toilet paper after having a bowel movement;
• discomfort, cramps during bowel movements;
• itching in the anus, not associated with parasitic infections;
• instability of the stool.

Removal of formations is carried out during a diagnostic endoscopy of the intestine. The recovery period is short - no more than 10-14 days. At this time, the patient needs to follow a sparing diet and take medications to loosen the stool in order to avoid trauma to the resection site with dry feces.

Colorectal cancer

This is one of the most dangerous oncological diseases, the survival rate for which does not exceed 4-10% of the total number of patients. Even after successful surgical treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the chances that a person will live more than 18 months are very small, so treatment should be started as early as possible.

Timely diagnosis of bowel cancer is complicated by the absence of characteristic symptoms, especially if the patient suffers from any chronic disease of the small or large intestine. Many signs of a malignant intestinal tumor are perceived by specialists and patients as manifestations digestive disorders, therefore the necessary diagnostics is carried out, as a rule, at the later stages.

Symptoms that can be manifestations of bowel cancer include:

• long-term constipation against the background of a varied and balanced diet;
• chronic diarrhea of ​​unspecified etiology;
• pain in the lower abdomen, not associated with food intake;
• bloating, flatulence, heaviness in the epigastrium after eating (even with small portions);
• spotting (may be a blurred symptom in people with Crohn's disease or hemorrhoids);
• false urge to defecate;
• sensation of a foreign body in the intestine.

Any of these signs are the reason for undergoing a comprehensive examination of the gastrointestinal tract for tumor formations. Additional signs of cancer may be lack of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue. Basal temperature in patients with this type of cancer is always elevated.

Treatment for colorectal cancer involves surgical resection of a portion of the intestine, followed by radiation and the administration of high-dose drugs that kill the malignant cells. In most cases, patients also require treatment with hormonal drugs. To remove feces, a stoma is removed to the surface of the abdomen - a fistulous opening, through which unformed feces are removed to the outside. A sealed colostomy bag with a special deodorizing pad is attached to the stoma.

The consistency of the stool in this case is almost always watery or pasty. To prevent complications and facilitate the process of defecation, the patient must adhere to a special diet, half consisting of liquid and semi-liquid dishes.

Bowel diseases are a very broad group of pathologies with characteristic symptoms. It is almost impossible to make a diagnosis on your own at home, so if any warning signs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.