Inflammation of the small intestinal mucosa symptoms. Inflammation of the small intestine: symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment. Proctitis and sigmoiditis

Inflammation of the small intestine is defined in gastroenterology as a pathological process of damage to the mucous membrane of the small intestine, which is classified as. There are a huge number of reasons for the occurrence of enteritis. This may be a systematic malnutrition, or infectious processes that affect the gastrointestinal tract. Also, the physiological state of the intestines can be influenced by negative environmental factors.

Causes of inflammation of the small intestine

Below we list the main causes of inflammation of the small intestine:

• Violation of food culture

What is meant by eating disorder? First of all, this is not eating healthy, high-quality food - vegetables, fruits, steamed fish and meat, cereals, soups, but the abuse of fast food (burgers, carbonated drinks, steaks, etc.).

This also includes abuse of alcoholic beverages, as well as spicy, sour, and excessively salty foods.

Overeating is eating more food than is necessary to fully saturate the body.

• Long-term treatment with certain medications

If a person takes antibiotics or other medications for a long period of time, the instructions for use of which indicate a side effect such as an effect on the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, then a severe inflammatory process cannot be ruled out.

In this case, the patient must contact the attending physician who prescribed the medications and indicate the presence of side effects.

• Infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
• Severe hypothermia

Any inflammatory process in the intestines begins with the irritation of the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract. At the same time, the person begins to feel a number of rather unpleasant signs and symptoms.

Symptoms of inflammation of the small intestine

The inflammatory process of the small intestine is always accompanied by a number of unpleasant symptoms. Therefore, a person can independently identify the disease and understand that he needs to see a gastroenterologist.

If your health has deteriorated significantly, you should urgently contact an ambulance, otherwise this condition may pose a threat to life and health.

The main symptoms of the inflammatory process include:

• Severe pain in the abdomen - as a rule, painful sensations are concentrated in the lower part;
• Vomit;
• Nausea;
• Painful;
• State of general weakness;
• Pathological malaise;
• A sharp increase in body temperature;
• Chills and fever;
• Risk of occurrence.

If you begin to palpate the abdominal cavity yourself, you will hear the intestines “rumbling”. A laboratory blood test reveals an increased leukocyte sedimentation rate, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.

In women, a clear symptom of the inflammatory process of the small intestine is menstrual irregularities and sudden weight loss (in some cases, weight loss is reduced to minus 10 kg in a week or two).

If at least one of the above symptoms occurs, it is recommended to urgently consult a gastroenterologist.

The main stages of the inflammatory process of the intestines

Inflammation of the small intestine or enteritis manifests itself in humans in several stages, which differ in their origin, causes, and symptoms.

In particular, inflammation of the small intestine occurs in two stages - acute and chronic.

Let us describe the acute stage of enteritis. It usually manifests itself in such forms as:

• Viral;
• Allergic;
• Infectious;
• Toxic.

A person in the developing acute stage initially complains of such unpleasant symptoms as: severe fever, gag reflex, nausea, increased weakness, malaise (it is difficult for the patient to move independently).

The main cause of the chronic stage of inflammation of the small intestine is increased abuse of spicy, fatty, sour foods, as well as alcohol consumption in a chronic painful form.

In the chronic stage of inflammation of the small intestine, deterioration in well-being is reduced to a feeling of dull pain in the abdominal cavity.

Danger of enteritis

Gastroenterologists call inflammation of the small intestine extremely dangerous to human life and health. If you delay in seeing a doctor and do not carry out the necessary therapy, then this entire pathological process can play a cruel joke on a person.

Consequences of inflammation of the small intestine: internal (consequences - death), necrosis (death of intestinal tissue).

If the inflammatory process of the small intestine is ignored, it quickly progresses to the chronic stage.

Diagnosis of inflammation of the small intestine

To make a diagnosis of “inflammation of the small intestine,” a gastroenterologist must give a referral to:

• Stool analysis;
• General blood analysis;
• Take an X-ray of the intestine;
• Perform endoscopy of the postbulbar duodenum;
• Biopsy of the small intestine.

Treatment of small intestinal disease

If we talk about a full and intensive course of treatment, then the first thing is a therapeutic diet. It is forbidden to eat fried, salty food, fast food, drink alcohol, or smoke. Recommended - plenty of warm drinks, and also, if necessary, therapeutic fasting.

Among the medications, it is necessary to highlight: Creon, Pancreatin; anabolic steroid drugs - Nerobol, as well as Retabolil. Biologically active drugs aimed at normalizing intestinal microflora - Bifikol, Lactobacterin, Bifikol. To normalize stool, doctors prescribe Bismuth, Calcium Carbonate.

Enteritis is an inflammatory process in the small intestine. It is divided into three sections: duodenum, ileum and jejunum. Accordingly, the name of limited inflammation is associated with their Latin name: duodenitis, jeunitis and ileitis.

Since most often the entire intestine becomes inflamed, the disease term “enteritis” is used in practice. The pathology occurs as acute and chronic enteritis with periods of exacerbations and remissions.

The disease affects people at any age. Children often develop an acute form, while adults develop a chronic form in combination with other digestive pathologies.

Causes

The acute form of enteritis is caused by:

• infectious pathogens (Vibrio cholerae, salmonella, staphylococcus, dysentery bacillus, entero- and rotaviruses);
• food allergens or side effects of medications;
• rich fatty foods;
• drinks containing alcohol;
• food poisoning (mushrooms, berries);
• household and industrial poisoning with chemicals containing lead salts and mercury.

Chronic enterocolitis occurs when:

• long-term poor nutrition of people with a passion for fatty and spicy foods, alcohol;
• helminthic infestation and giardiasis;
• exposure to nicotine from smoking;
• long-term use of certain medications;
• industrial poisoning, irradiation;
• autoimmune diseases;
• hereditary diseases associated with the absence or deficiency of enzymes;
• surgical interventions and intestinal injuries.

The occurrence of enteritis is facilitated by intestinal atony (stagnation of feces), associated with low physical activity and adhesions in the pelvis.

What do the symptoms of enteritis depend on?

Symptoms of enteritis and its treatment are determined by the form of the disease and severity.

As a rule, the acute form of enteritis is necessarily accompanied by inflammation of the stomach and colon. Gastritis and colitis with their own manifestations will be added to the disorders associated with the pathology of absorption and production of intestinal juice.

The chronic form accompanies long-term diseases of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. It is not possible to separate primary symptoms from secondary lesions; they are connected by one pathological process. This form of enteritis is characteristic of hereditary diseases of the digestive system and autoimmune disorders.

Accordingly, this form must be treated taking into account all the symptoms and disorders.

Clinical manifestations

Typical manifestations of the disease are symptoms of inflammation, impaired absorption and intestinal motility.

Symptoms of acute enteritis

Acute enteritis is characterized by:

• diarrhea - stool up to 10 or more times a day;
• recurring pain around the navel of a cramping nature;
• nausea and vomiting, mixed with food and bile;
• coating of the tongue with a white coating;
• bloating and rumbling stomach;
• temperature rise to high levels.

In severe cases, symptoms of dehydration, loss of electrolytes and vitamins in the body (dry skin and mucous membranes, weight loss, convulsions) come first.

General intoxication increases and manifests itself in severe weakness and headache.

Due to blood thickening, thrombotic complications are possible.

The cardiovascular system reacts with severe tachycardia and a drop in blood pressure. In severe cases, a state of shock occurs.

Symptoms of chronic enteritis

Chronic disease manifests itself during periods of exacerbation; patients most often associate them with poor diet and stressful situations.

• Diarrhea is often associated with food intake and occurs after eating. The stool is watery with particles of undigested food.
• The pain around the navel is not cramping in nature, but rather aching.
• The stomach is constantly bloated and growling.
• A white coating with teeth marks is found on the tongue.
• Due to impaired iron absorption, iron deficiency anemia develops with characteristic dizziness and increasing weakness.
• Due to a lack of calcium in the blood, it is washed out of the bone tissue, which leads to osteoporosis, increases fragility, and contributes to frequent fractures.

Signs of hypovitaminosis are expressed by early aging of the body, a sharp decrease in immunity, and frequent colds.

Weight loss is observed despite increased nutrition.

Treatment

Treatment of enteritis begins taking into account dietary restrictions. A diet for enteritis requires avoiding alcohol in all forms, excluding hot sauces, fatty meats, vegetables and fruits with coarse fiber. Table No. 4 is assigned. It is characterized by the use of dairy products, boiled meat and vegetable dishes, and the prohibition of black bread and confectionery.

The frequency of feedings increases to 5–6 per day. Portions are getting smaller. The loss of fluid through vomiting and stool must be taken into account, so it is allowed to drink up to three liters of water or rosehip decoction (if there are no contraindications related to heart or kidney diseases).

Treatment of acute enteritis

In the acute form of the disease, the patient is hospitalized in a hospital and is prescribed:

Antimicrobial drugs, broad-spectrum antibiotics in high doses for a course of at least seven days. The effectiveness is judged by the reduction in temperature, reduction in diarrhea, and improvement in general condition. In severe cases, it is possible to replace the antibiotic or use two drugs at once.

To replenish the water balance, solutions of glucose and sodium chloride with the addition of potassium preparations and calcium chloride are administered intravenously. You can take Regidron internally.

To relieve intoxication, Hemodez and Reopoliglyukin are indicated.

To restore and compensate for deficiency, enzymatic agents are prescribed internally.

For a “fixing” effect, Smecta and Enterosgel are prescribed.

For severe pain, use antispasmodics, Almagel A.

Be sure to administer vitamins C, group B, intramuscularly if possible.

When treating acute enteritis, you should not get carried away with long courses of antibiotics. It is necessary to monitor the balance of intestinal flora.

Treatment of chronic enteritis

Chronic enteritis takes a long time to treat. A diet for enteritis should be followed throughout your life. It is recommended to quit smoking. Drinking alcohol will regularly cause exacerbations; treatment in such a situation does not make sense.

Antimicrobial drugs are rarely indicated for a patient with a chronic form of the disease, only in cases of severe inflammation with a clear dependence on chronic infection.

Appointed:

• enzymatic preparations (Festal, Creon, Digestal);
• to improve intestinal motor function, reduce nausea and bloating, Imodium and Loperamide are used;
• probiotic preparations are recommended to preserve intestinal flora (Bifido- and Lactobacterin, Narine);
• long-term use of astringent herbal remedies that eliminate diarrhea (bird cherry, oak bark, St. John's wort) is indicated;
• complex vitamin-mineral preparations are used in sufficient doses over long courses.

To consolidate the effect of treatment, sanatorium-resort treatment in the area of ​​Pyatigorsk, Zheleznovodsk, Kislovodsk, Essentuki is useful for patients with chronic enteritis. Here, natural mineral springs contain the entire useful range of bioactive substances and minerals for restoring intestinal functions.

The small intestine is the longest part of the digestive tract, reaching 6 meters. It connects the stomach to the large intestine. The small intestine performs the bulk of the digestion of food consumed by humans. It has three parts called the duodenum, ileum and jejunum.

Like any other part of the digestive tract, the small intestine can become inflamed for many reasons. The general name for inflammation of this part of the intestine is enteritis.

What is enteritis?

Enteritis is the term used to describe inflammation of the small intestine. It does not indicate which part of the small intestine is affected. Very often the inflammatory process affects other parts of the digestive tract, then other diseases develop:

• Gastroenteritis is inflammation of the small intestine and stomach.
• Enterocolitis is an inflammation of the small and large intestines.

Causes of inflammation of the small intestine

Enteritis is most often caused by consuming food or drinks contaminated with bacteria or viruses. Pathogens settle in the small intestine, causing inflammation and swelling. It is important to note that these infectious agents can also affect the stomach and large intestine. This infectious enteritis usually has an acute onset and severe symptoms.

Overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines can also lead to the development of enteritis, which can be subacute or chronic.
Radiation enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine caused by exposure to radiation. Almost all cases of this disease are the result of radiation therapy to treat cancer.

Autoimmune enteritis develops due to disturbances in immune reactions that trigger inflammation for no apparent reason. Antibodies can be produced against the cells lining the small intestine. This is seen in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and eosinophilic enteritis (a hereditary disease that also affects the stomach). Autoimmune factors lead to the development of chronic inflammation in the small intestine. The development of inflammation in the mucous membrane of the small intestine can be promoted by trauma, surgery and instrumental procedures. In this case, acute enteritis is observed.

Signs and symptoms of enteritis

The development of inflammation of the small intestine may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Severe diarrhea.
• Sometimes there may be blood in the stool.
• Pain and discomfort in the abdomen, worse after eating.
• Vomiting (rarely observed, but can develop when the duodenum and stomach are involved in the inflammatory process).
• Temperature increase.
• Loss of appetite.
• Signs of nutritional deficiency (malabsorption).

In general, the clinical picture of enteritis depends on the degree of damage to the small intestine. If only a small part of the intestine is involved in the inflammatory process, symptoms of malabsorption may be absent. Belching, a burning sensation in the stomach, the appearance of symptoms almost immediately after eating - these signs may indicate that the inflammation is located near or in the duodenum. Conversely, symptoms associated with defecation disorders may indicate ileal involvement. However, to accurately identify the inflamed area, instrumental examination is necessary.

Treatment of inflammation of the small intestine

Mild cases do not require treatment. Antidiarrheal drugs are sometimes used. In some cases, they cannot be used because they slow down the elimination of pathogens from the digestive tract. The patient may need to restore water and electrolyte balance using electrolyte solutions. If the body does not accept the liquid drunk, the patient may need intravenous administration of solutions. This situation is often observed in children.

If the cause of inflammation is infectious, the use of antibacterial drugs may be necessary. If enteritis is caused by Crohn's disease, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to patients. Patients with chronic radiation enteritis may need to change their radiation therapy regimen or stop it. In some cases, surgical removal of the damaged part of the intestine may be performed.

How to prevent the development of enteritis?

Good personal hygiene and food safety can reduce the risk of developing small intestinal inflammation. Hygiene rules:

• You should always wash your hands with soap and water whenever possible.
• You should always wash your hands after using the toilet.
• You should wash your hands before and after preparing food and drinks.
• You should always wash your hands before eating.
• When traveling without access to running water, use wet hand wipes (preferably containing 60% alcohol).
• You should not drink water from open wells or other sources without first boiling it.

Cooking food:

• Cross contamination should be avoided. Clean utensils must be used for each cooking step and ingredient.
• Products must be stored separately.
• Kitchen surfaces should be washed frequently.
• Food should be cooked at the correct temperature. You can use a food thermometer.

Product storage:

• You need to store food properly in the refrigerator. It should be set to 4°C or lower. The freezer should be set to 17°C or lower.
• It is necessary to monitor the expiration date of food products.

Prognosis for inflammation of the small intestine

For most people with acute enteritis, symptoms disappear within a few days, and full recovery may take 2 to 3 weeks. In patients with radiation enteritis, recovery may take 6 to 18 months after cessation of radiation therapy.

The intestine is the longest human organ, measuring about four meters in an adult. It is divided into two main parts - the large and small intestine, and this structuring is not arbitrary, since both of these parts perform different functions.

The doctor can indicate the approximate location of inflammation based on complaints

Thus, in the small intestine, under the influence of pancreatic enzymes, food is broken down and absorbed; the fat one is engaged in “packaging” waste food masses, taking away excess water from there. Symptoms of intestinal inflammation, its most common disease, will differ depending on the location of the process, because it will be clear which function is affected.

Terminology

Inflammation of the small intestine is called enteritis, and if the process is located only in its final part - the ileum, then the disease will be called ileitis.

When the inflammatory process is localized in the colon, it is called colitis. If the pathology concerns only the sigmoid colon, it is called sigmoiditis, if the rectum is called proctitis.

Why does the intestine become inflamed?

The causes of intestinal inflammation are conventionally divided into two large groups: infectious and non-infectious.

Infectious enterocolitis

Infectious diseases include various:

Such microorganisms enter through the consumption of unboiled water and milk (as well as when swallowing water when bathing), poor-quality or unheat-treated food. Viruses can enter through airborne droplets.

The peculiarity of infectious inflammatory processes is that they are contagious and can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through shared utensils, food, toys and household items. They are called “diseases of dirty hands”, since it is quite simple to avoid infection: wash your hands after interacting with a sick person, before eating and after visiting a shared toilet.

Intestinal inflammation not associated with its colonization by microbes

Non-infectious intestinal inflammation develops due to a huge number of reasons. This:

• errors in: “love” for alcohol, spicy and smoked foods;
• decreased intestinal tone;
• inflammation of nearby organs;
• taking medications;
• “defects” of the immune system, in which it begins to “attack” its own organs (such an autoimmune process is characteristic of Crohn’s disease);
• impaired circulation of the intestine due to atherosclerotic or inflammatory processes in the arteries feeding it;
• poisoning with lead, heavy metals, arsenic, poisons from plants;
• food allergies;
• irradiation of the intestine with gamma rays;
• as a reaction to abdominal surgery.

How does intestinal inflammation manifest?

General symptoms of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa can be divided into the following syndromes:

1. Painful. The localization of inflammation can be assumed by the location of the pain zone:
   • if it hurts in the navel area, this most likely indicates a disease of the small or early parts of the large intestine;
   • pain in the lower parts – disease of the colon;
   • at the anus - problems with the rectum. This is not necessarily inflammation; it can also be a symptom of hemorrhoids and anal fissure.
2. According to the nature of the pain:
   • if the pain is constant, aching, the process is chronic;
   • if it has a circadian rhythm: it intensifies in the first half of the night - ulcerative pathologies, in the morning - inflammation of the large intestine;
   • when the pain intensifies with shaking, defecation, or walking, this indicates that the peritoneum or the intestinal lymphatic system is involved in the inflammation.
3. Intoxication syndrome: weakness, drowsiness, increased heart rate, nausea, decreased appetite, muscle pain, headaches. This indicates in favor of an infectious process.
4. Diarrheal syndrome (diarrhea) may indicate both small and large intestinal localization. The type of stool matters.
5. Dry hair and skin, catches in the corners of the mouth, bleeding gums indicate problems with the small intestine.
6. Changes in the color and consistency of stool.

To determine the localization of inflammation, it is important to indicate not only the area of ​​pain, but also other symptoms

Let us consider separately the symptoms of diseases of the large and small intestines.

Enteritis

Inflammation of the small intestine can be acute or chronic.

Warning! Acute inflammation is often of an infectious nature, and also develops as a result of poisoning or an allergic reaction. Chronic enteritis is most often caused by errors in diet.

Symptoms of acute enteritis

The disease usually begins acutely, with the appearance of the following symptoms:

• weakness;
• rumbling and pain in the abdomen, in the navel area;
• diarrhea: up to 10 times a day;
• stool: loose, foamy, foul-smelling;
• decreased appetite;
• dry skin;
• Most likely, there will be an increase in temperature;
• Signs of dehydration may develop: severe weakness, confusion, convulsions, frequent weak pulse.

Chronic enteritis

With this disease, frequent loose stools are observed, which is accompanied by abdominal pain and intestinal rumbling - during an exacerbation. During the period of remission, there is a decrease in the severity of these complaints until their complete disappearance. The fact that the disease has not been stopped is indicated by signs of impaired supply of nutrients to the body: dryness, fragility and thinness of the skin, hair and nails, jams, pallor, bleeding.

Colitis

Inflammation of the large intestine can also be acute or chronic. Chronic colitis, depending on the nature of the inflammation occurring in the intestines, has its own classification. All these pathological processes have different symptoms.

Acute colitis

It is characterized by the following features:

• abdominal pain;
• nausea;
• painful urge to defecate;
• decreased appetite;
• weight loss;
• feces - formed, mucus and blood are visible in it;
• in case of intestinal infection - increased temperature.

Chronic ulcerative colitis

This is the name for the process in which ulcerative and erosive defects appear in the intestinal wall. It develops more often in women and is characterized by the following manifestations:

• abdominal pain, especially on the left side;
• constipation;
• during the subsidence of the disease, the feces are not liquid, foul-smelling, blood is visible in it;
• during an exacerbation, abdominal pain, diarrhea are noted, the person quickly loses body weight;
• Joint pain often develops.

Warning! Symptoms of intestinal inflammation in women can mask diseases of the reproductive organs: pain in the right or left half of the abdomen can also be observed with inflammation of the appendages; diarrhea can accompany not only colitis or enteritis, but also inflammation of the uterus and appendages. Only a doctor can understand the causes of symptoms.

Chronic spastic colitis

It has different manifestations: one person may develop constipation, while another may experience diarrhea. Most people also experience abdominal pain, flatulence, and bloating. Spastic colitis is characterized by the disappearance of symptoms when nervous overstrain, stress, and lack of sleep are relieved.

Pseudomembranous inflammation of the large intestine

This is the name given to the inflammatory process in the colon that has developed as a result of dysbacteriosis. Its symptoms are observed while taking antibiotics and after their withdrawal. They are as follows:

• frequent watery stools, mixed with mucus and blood;
• abdominal pain that worsens with bowel movements;
• slight increase in temperature;
• weakness;
• nausea;
• weight loss.

Proctitis and sigmoiditis

In case of inflammation of the lower part of the large intestine, which is isolated and most often develops with prolonged use of antibiotics, injuries from foreign bodies, chemical or thermal burns, the following signs will be observed:

• pain in the rectal area, aggravated by defecation;
• discharge of blood and mucus from the anus;
• constipation;
• sensation of a foreign body in the anus;
• urge to defecate;
• body aches;
• feeling of incomplete emptying of the rectum during bowel movements.

Inflammation of the intestinal lymph nodes

If the intestinal inflammation had an infectious cause, but in some cases, as an independent disease, especially in children, inflammation of the intestinal lymph nodes may develop. These structures serve as a barrier to infection, and when there is too much of it, or the microorganisms are too aggressive, the lymph nodes become inflamed. This manifests itself as follows:

1. Acute paroxysmal pain in the abdomen develops, especially in the lower right (as with appendicitis);
2. temperature rises;
3. nausea and vomiting appear;
4. diarrhea or constipation occurs.

Abdominal pain lasts from several hours to three days and does not become more intense. With these symptoms, there is no deterioration in the person’s general condition, which would be the case with appendicitis or other surgical pathology.

How is the diagnosis made?

The main method to determine the location and type of the inflammatory process is endoscopic examination.

In order to establish the type, cause, localization and nature of intestinal inflammation, the following studies are carried out:

1. general blood analysis;
2. coprogram - stool analysis;
3. bacteriological examination of stool;
4. biochemical blood tests;
5. endoscopic examination of the intestine: can only be performed for lesions of the colon. It is called colonoscopy (if the entire colon is examined) or sigmoidoscopy (if only the rectum and sigmoid colon are examined). During this examination, a biopsy of the required area may be performed;
6. X-ray examination of the intestine with contrast;
7. Capsule endoscopy is performed to examine the entire intestine, including the small intestine. It is performed by a person swallowing a capsule equipped with a video camera. It comes out naturally.

If, as a result of the diagnosis, any of the above diagnoses is confirmed, the question of treatment arises. It is prescribed by a doctor depending on the form and stage of the identified disease and, as a rule, includes a course of medications and a strict diet. But sometimes the patient’s condition requires surgical intervention. In general terms, we described the principles of treatment of the considered pathology in the article.