Enterocolitis is a disease in which there is simultaneous inflammation of the small and large intestine. This disease causes atrophic changes in the mucous membrane and a violation of the function of the digestive tract.
Concept and code of disease according to ICD-10
The disease can be associated with a non-infectious or infectious inflammatory process. For the first time it can manifest itself at any age, while men and women are subject to it to the same degree.
Because the ailment is a syndrome, fluttering in different pathologies. Often combined with gastritis, gastroenterocolitis.
Causes of
The root cause may be inflammation of the stomach, suffered acute intestinal infections:
- dysentery,
- typhoid,
- salmonellosis.
In 80% of cases, intestinal infections associated with the development of pathogenic microflora lead to the formation of the disease. Sometimes these are non-inflammatory diseases of the autoimmune nature. These include irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis.
Often prone to worm diseases, as well as problems associated with malnutrition and allergic reactions. Symptoms of the disease manifest with prolonged use of antibiotics, hormonal drugs.
If a person has congenital diseases of the stomach and liver, the chances of encountering this disease increase.
Symptoms in adults and children
The acute form appears unexpectedly. It is characterized by:
- cutting pains,
- grumbling,
- flatulence,
- nausea and vomiting,
- occurrence of plaque on the tongue,
- diarrhea.
In children, the symptoms are similar, but because of the high rate of dehydration of the body, cramps or short-term loss of consciousness may appear. When infectious nature, mucus and pus appear in the feces, an increase in body temperature, an aching in the muscles.
Chronic forms may not have such a vivid symptomatology. Most often, abdominal pain occurs periodically, the defecation process is disrupted, digestion disorders occur.
Like many other intestinal disorders, the disease can lead to weight loss, skin discoloration, brittle nail plate.
Especially often the disease is noted in premature babies, as well as in children with problems in the respiratory system.
Types of
Enterocolitis is acute and chronic. The first species has a more vivid picture, characterized by a sharp onset of the disease.
Acute
The trigger mechanism is damage to the mucous membrane with the development of the inflammatory process. This leads to dehydration of the body, rapid loss of electrolytes.
Severe dehydration and the development of dysbiosis lead to even greater disruption in the functioning of the intestine. Therefore, the disease develops in a closed circle.
In the course of the disease, facial features become pointed, and the skin and mucosa are dry. In the acute phase, the main task of the doctor is to differentiate the disease from other surgical diseases.
The acute form can be complicated by organ perforation or blood infection.
Chronic
This is a polyethic ailment, for which inflammatory-dystrophic changes in the mucosa are characteristic. It was found that 85% of patients sent to the gastroenterological department for treatment show this type of disease.
The peculiarity lies in the fact that during the examination of the mucous membrane macroscopic changes are not detected, but with a biopsy, lymphocytic infiltration is detected.
Classification of
There are several types of enterocolitis depending on the cause of the disease. These include:
- pseudomembranous,
- ulcerative-necrotic,
- staphylococcal,
- allergic,
- hemorrhagic.
There are also secondary species that develop as a complication in the presence of other gastrointestinal diseases.
Pseudomembranous
Usually appears on the background of prolonged use of antibiotics. As a result, a strong dysbacteriosis and inflammation of the distal parts of the intestine develops. This triggers the formation of fibrinous raids.
In case of severe illness, an intoxication syndrome, dehydration, gross intestinal wall lesions is detected.
In mild cases, diarrhea appears on the background of medications. In especially severe cases, blood may appear in the stool. Develop symptoms of intoxication. The predisposing factor is the age and the presence of concomitant pathologies.
Ulcerative-necrotic
This form usually affects premature babies and sick babies. In the process necrosis of the mucous membrane occurs, in the absence of treatment, it penetrates into the deeper layers. There is lethargy, unstable body temperature, stool with a trace of blood, apnea, signs of sepsis. Surgical intervention is sometimes indicated.
Preterm infants are diagnosed with up to 75% of cases of enterocolitis development.
Particular danger is present when, during childbirth, there is a prolonged rupture of the membranes or fetal asphyxia occurs. The prerequisites for the development of the disease is colonization of bacteria, ischemic stroke and enteral nutrition.
Staphylococcal
Inflammation of the intestines causes staphylococcus aureus. The disease is very common, especially among children. The cause of development is a violation of hygiene rules, mechanical damage to the intestines, poisoning with medicines.
On the background of the development of the disease, diarrhea, severe pain, loss of consciousness occurs. Clinical manifestations depend on the age and the number of colonies of staphylococcus aureus.
In children, a primary infection is usually associated with a food-borne infection. The disease can take a prolonged course and be accompanied by the development of secondary purulent foci. The latter are more often formed on the 1-2 week of the disease.
Allergic
Appears against the backdrop of the development of food allergies. The disease to this day does not have a clear etiology.
These patients have a change in intestinal activity, including the interaction of the mucosa with irritants, for example, alcohol.
Symptoms of this form are characterized by spasms, flatulence, abnormalities of the digestive tract. Treatment in this case begins with the rejection of irritating products, as well as the detection of an allergen.
Hemorrhagic
Escherichia coli Escherichia coli is the cause of the development. Esirichia enterohemorrhagic appears in the tissues of the large and small intestine.
The disease can occur at any age. Often, infection occurs by fecal-oral route, so the main mechanism of protection is compliance with hygiene rules.
Complications of
In 93% of cases with timely treatment begun, the risk of developing the disease decreases. If you start an ailment, there may be perforation of the intestine with the development of peritonitis, a threat to life. With non-infectious forms, the risk of intestinal resection and colostomy is preserved.
Complications include:
- formation of cancer cells,
- disruption of the body's cellular nutrition,
- intestinal obstruction.
Diagnosis
The acute form is diagnosed simply on the basis of an epidemiological anamnesis. Chronic enterocolitis requires physical, laboratory and instrumental examinations.
If necessary, a biopsy can be performed immediately. It is necessary for the collection of histological material from the intestinal wall to detect structural changes.
No less popular is the X-ray study, which reveals a change in the lumen of the intestine. Can be taken:
- bacteriological analysis of stool,
- coprogram,
- general and expanded blood test.
How to treat acute and chronic enterocolitis of the intestine?
The treatment of the disease is handled by a gastroenterologist. For treatment, medications, diet therapy and physiotherapy are prescribed.
The goal is to normalize compensatory and regulatory mechanisms. It is possible to carry out ultraviolet irradiation using an alternating electric current. In chronic forms, electrophoresis of antispasmodics is often prescribed.
Food
Dairy products with reduced fat content are acceptable. You can eat eggs, semi-viscous boiled cereals, soups on the second broth, boiled lean meat.
If the disease is in an aggravation stage, then in the first day it is better to refuse to eat. It should be replaced by an abundant warm drink, unsweetened tea, mineral water. If signs of dehydration are present, physiological saline is administered to the patient.
From the second day, the diet №4 is connected. Do not eat foods with saturated dietary fiber and drink whole milk. Meals should be divided 5-6 times a day. Add rusks from white bread, soups on water or skimmed meat broth.
Compliance with dietary nutrition should last at least 3 months. Simultaneously with this treatment methods are appointed, aimed at improving the work of the body.
Drugs
If the disease is caused by an infection, the gastroenterologist prescribes antibacterial drugs. Usually it is cephalosporins and penicillins.
Since enterocolitis is accompanied by severe pain, spasmolytic agents are prescribed to restore the normal functioning of the digestive tract.
Drug therapy includes:
- enzyme-containing products( lipase, protease),
- pro-prebiotics( nutrient media for the development of the desired microflora),
- medications that help normalize intestinal peristalsis.
As a local treatment, enemas are used. Any type of acute form requires washing the stomach with boiled or distilled water. It is possible to purify the intestine using a salt laxative.
Folk remedies
They are best used in conjunction with the methods of traditional medicine. Chronic enterocolitis, accompanied by diarrhea, is perfectly treated with carrot seeds. They need to be fired in 0.3 liters.boiling water and insist for 5 hours. To drink such a composition is required a glass several times a day.
You can use different combinations of herbs:
- Oak bark, blueberry and bird cherry mix and steam in a 0.2 liter thermos. Infused mixture for several hours.
- Take an equal amount of blueberries, bird cherries, caraway seeds, chamomile. Everything is crushed. A small spoon of dry mixture is required on the glass.
Prognosis and prevention of
Prevention is the avoidance of factors that lead to the development of the disease. It is necessary to conduct timely treatment of infections and parasitic infections, to observe the norms of nutrition, to take medications according to indications.
If you start treatment immediately with the appearance of the first signs, you can cure the acute form immediately without consequences.
Completely intestines are restored in 3-6 weeks. The course of chronic enterocolitis depends on measures aimed at normalizing nutrition and lifestyle.
Video about congenital intestinal enterocolitis in a child: