Enteritis: symptoms, causes, treatment, etc. & bull; hello healthy

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Definition

What is enteritis?

Enteritis is a general term used to describe various inflammatory conditions of the intestines, particularly the small intestine. Inflammation can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection.

This term is not used specifically to describe which part of the small intestine is affected. Inflammation can occur in all parts of the small intestine, which includes the duodenum, empty intestine (jejunum), and absorption intestine (ileum).

Enteritis is part of gastroenteritis, which is inflammation that occurs in the small intestine and stomach. Some of the diseases associated with this condition are ulcerative colitis, gastritis, and Crohn's disease.

Some of the signs and symptoms that arise when you experience this condition vary, but generally the symptoms that appear are abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, and fever.

This condition generally does not require serious medical treatment. In mild cases, bacterial and viral infections can resolve on their own within a few days.

How common is enteritis?

Enteritis is a common type of inflammation. This condition can be experienced by patients of any age.

Enteritis can be treated and treated by controlling the existing risk factors. To find out more information about this condition, you can consult a doctor.

Type

What are the types of enteritis?

Enteritis is a condition that can be categorized into several types. Here's the explanation:

1. Enteritis due to infection

One of the most common types of inflammation of the small intestine is caused by food poisoning. You can experience this condition due to eating food or drinks that have been contaminated with bacteria.

Bacteria can enter food or drink in various ways, one of which is how to process less clean food. Generally, ingredients that are easily contaminated with bacteria are meat, animal products, and unpasteurized milk.

2. Enteritis due to radiation

This disease can also occur after a person has undergone radiation therapy or radiotherapy. Radiation therapy works by killing cancer cells. However, in some cases, this procedure can also kill cells that are still functioning properly.

When this condition occurs, the cells in the body's digestive system can experience damage and inflammation. This condition can cause chronic and chronic symptoms.

In addition, inflammation of the small intestine can also occur as a side effect of certain medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of enteritis?

Signs and symptoms of enteritis generally appear hours or days after you become infected. Symptoms that arise can include:

• Fever
• Nausea
• Gag
• Abdominal cramps or pain
• Loss of appetite
• Pain
• Bleeding
• Mucus-like discharge from the rectum
• Acute and severe diarrhea

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Symptoms last more than 3 or 4 days
• You have a fever above 38 C
• There is blood in the stool
• You have symptoms of dehydration, such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, lack of tears, low amount of urine, cloudy urine, severe fatigue, tenderness on the baby's head, dizziness especially when standing

Each sufferer's body shows signs and symptoms that vary. To get the most appropriate treatment and according to your health condition, always have any symptoms checked by your doctor or the nearest health service center.

What are the complications caused by enteritis?

Although enteritis generally shows mild symptoms that go away on their own within a few days, this condition can lead to other health problems if not treated promptly.

The following are the complications that may arise:

• Dehydration
• Excessive thirst
• Urinating less frequently than usual
• Fatigue
• The body feels weak
• Dizzy
• Watery eyes
• Mouth feels dry

Cause

What causes enteritis?

There are many conditions that can cause the appearance of this disease. If you have a contagious stomach flu, the main cause may be food poisoning.

If you eat and digest food or water that is contaminated with bacteria, these bacteria can enter your body and cause inflammation of the small intestine.

Many things can cause food contamination, such as poor food handling, or lack of sanitation when handling poultry or meat.

The foods most commonly associated with food poisoning are poultry and raw meat, unpasteurized milk, and fresh produce.

Enteritis can be caused by a bacterial or viral infection. The bacteria that play a role in causing inflammation are:

• Salmonella: Common bacteria that can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection.
• Escherichia coli: also known as E. coli, a virus that can cause mild symptoms such as stomach aches and fever to more milk symptoms, such as blood and kidney failure.
• Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus): bacteria that can cause 7 types of toxins that lead to food poisoning.
• Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni): bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
• Shigella: bacteria that cause shigellosis (Shigella infection), which affects the small intestine.
• Yersinia enterocolitica (Y. enterocolitica): bacteria that cause acute diarrhea, and can cause fatal sepsis.

Another cause of this condition is contact with an infected person or animal, but this happens less frequently.

Undergoing radiation therapy can cause inflammation. Not only cancer cells, but healthy cells are also killed during radiation therapy, including cells in the mouth, stomach and intestines. As a result, inflammation can occur when normal and healthy intestinal cells are damaged by radiation and become inflamed.

In addition, inflammation of the small intestine can also be caused by several medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, illegal drugs such as cocaine, and autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's disease.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for enteritis?

Enteritis is a condition that can occur in almost anyone, regardless of age group and racial group. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk for developing this condition.

You need to know that having one or more risk factors does not mean that you can be sure of a disease. It is possible that you will develop a disease without any risk factors.

The following are risk factors that can trigger the emergence of this disease:

1. Traveling to areas with poor sanitation systems

If you are in a place that is not equipped with proper sanitation, you are at increased risk of being exposed to bacterial or viral infections.

2. There are family members who have this condition

If someone in your family also has stomach flu or other digestive problems, your chances of contracting this disease are much greater.

3. Exposure to contaminated water

If you shower or drink water that has been contaminated with bacteria or viruses, it can increase your risk for infection and inflammation.

4. Eating undercooked dishes

Food that is not properly processed or cooked with undercooked conditions can increase your risk of exposure to Salmonella bacteria. Your chances of developing intestinal inflammation are much greater.

Diagnosis & treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is enteritis diagnosed?

Your doctor may ask you to do a physical exam, blood test, or stool culture to diagnose enteritis and see the cause of your condition.

If your doctor wants to identify what type of infection you have, a stool culture can be ordered, although this test does not always give an accurate result.

In such cases, a colonoscopy or endoscopy is required to view the small intestine, and a tissue sample may be required for diagnosis.

You may also be asked to undergo X-rays such as CT scans and MRIs so that your doctor can diagnose your condition more accurately.

How to treat enteritis?

If your enteritis case is mild, you may not need medical attention because the condition can get better on its own in a few days.

However, if your body shows signs and symptoms such as diarrhea, you could potentially become dehydrated and lose a lot of body fluids. If your body loses a lot of fluids, your doctor will recommend several types of treatment, such as:

1. Electrolyte fluid

Treatment can include a combination of water and important electrolytes such as sodium (salt) and potassium.

2. Infusion

If you have severe diarrhea, you will need to be given intravenous fluids, drugs, or hospitalization. Children with diarrhea and vomiting require medical care and IVs.

3. Changes to radiation therapy

Changes to radiation therapy may be made if you are diagnosed with radiation enteritis. You may also need to stop radiation, or have surgery to remove the damaged part of the intestine.

4. Antidiarrheal treatment

Although anti-diarrheal medications are sometimes given, medication can have side effects by slowing down germs from leaving the digestive tract. If diarrhea appears after using diuretics, you should stop using diuretics and consult a doctor.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat enteritis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with enteritis:

• Before eating, preparing food or drink, and after using the toilet, always wash your hands thoroughly
• Avoid drinking from unknown sources, such as streams and wells, without boiling the water first
• When you eat, especially handling eggs and poultry, use clean utensils
• Cook food until cooked or properly
• Store food properly in the refrigerator, for example separating raw meat and other food ingredients that have been cooked
• Clean cutlery and cooking utensils thoroughly
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.