About Enteritis
The causes of enteritis include:
- Infections: Infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and other harmful germs can lead to acute enteritis, when the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed or irritated.
- Poor diet: Eating foods that don’t provide enough nutrients or include irritating or hard to digest ingredients can increase the chance of developing enteritis.
- Overeating: Eating too much food can put strain the digestive system and may lead to enteritis.
Non-modifiable risk factors for enteritis cannot be changed or controlled. These include:
- Age: Older people are more likely to get enteritis because their digestive system changes as they age.
- Genetic factors: Certain genetic factors, like having a family history of bowel disease or immune system issues, can increase the chances of getting enteritis by making the intestines more likely to become inflamed.
Modifiable risk factors for enteritis can be influenced or changed. These include:
- Unhealthy diet: Not eating enough fiber, eating high processed foods, or missing key nutrients can increase the risk of enteritis.
- Hygiene practices: Not washing hands well or not handling food the right way can spread germs that cause enteritis.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or antibiotics, can upset the balance of good bacteria in the gut, which may increase the risk of enteritis.
It's important to note that these risk factors may be different depending on the specific type and cause of enteritis. It's always recommended to talk with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance.
The most common early symptoms of enteritis include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps: Pain or discomfort in the stomach area that can feel like tightening or squeezing
- Diarrhea: Frequent, watery bowel movements
- Nausea and vomiting: Feeling like you need to throw up, and actually throwing up
- Loss of appetite: Not feeling hungry or wanting to eat
As enteritis progresses or becomes more severe, other common symptoms may occur:
- Worsening abdominal pain: The pain in the stomach area becomes more intense or frequent.
- Uncontrollable diarrhea: Diarrhea that you can’t control or stop
- Bleeding or mucus-like discharge from the rectum: Blood or slimy, jelly-like fluid coming from the anus when you use the bathroom
- Fever: Higher than normal body temperature, usually indicating infection
- Dehydration: Losing too much water from your body, which can make you feel very thirsty, tired, or dizzy
It's important to note that not all people will experience these symptoms, and the severity and progression of enteritis can be different. If you're experiencing any concerning symptoms, it's best to talk with a healthcare professional for the right diagnosis and treatment.
To diagnose enteritis, healthcare providers commonly perform the following exams, tests, and procedures:
- Medical history and physical exam: The healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and if you’ve recently travelled or eaten food or water that might have made you sick. They will also check your abdomen for pain and look for signs like diarrhea or dehydration.
- Stool culture: A sample of your stool may be taken to check for bacteria or parasites that may be causing the enteritis.
- Blood tests: There isn’t a specific blood test just for enteritis, but blood tests may be done to check for infection or inflammation in the body.
- Additional exams, tests, and procedures to determine the stage or severity of enteritis may include:
- Imaging studies: In some cases, an abdominal CT (computed tomography) scan may be done to check the intestines for any unusual changes.
- Colonoscopy (if needed): While not commonly used for enteritis, a colonoscopy might be done if there are concerns about more serious problems or to rule out other digestive issues. A colonoscopy is where a doctor uses a long, flexible tube with a camera to look inside the colon and check for any problems or signs of disease.
Remember, specific exams and tests may be different depending on your situation. It's best to talk with your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
The goals of treatment for enteritis are to:
- Reduce inflammation and infection: Medications like antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the bacteria, viruses, or parasites causing the infection.
- Relieve symptoms: Over the counter (store bought) medications like anti-diarrheal drugs can help relieve diarrhea and abdominal pain.
- Prevent dehydration: It’s important to replace the fluids and minerals your body loses due to diarrhea or vomiting. You can drink special drinks called oral rehydration solutions, which help replace the water and salts your body needs. If you are very dehydrated, you may be given fluid through and IV (a tube that puts fluid directly into your veins).
- Supportive care: Resting, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding foods that make symptoms worse can help with recovery.
- Identify and address underlying causes: If enteritis is due to another health condition, such as inflammatory bowel disease, treating that condition will also be a part of the treatment plan.
It's important to note that treatment for enteritis depends on what is causing it, how bad the symptoms are, and the person’s overall health. That’s why it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional for advice that’s right for you.
Medication dosing may be affected by many factors. Check with your health care professional about dosing for your individual situation. Other side effects can occur. Check with your health care professional or read the information provided with your medication for additional side effect information.