The human body is very dependent on the supply of essential substances from the external environment with food. The work of organs and systems has a good reserve, is capable of providing increased load for a long time, but is interrupted if the energy balance is not maintained. And calories are formed only as a result of complex biochemical processes.
Humans obtain “reagents” for synthesis from food products. The best medicines cannot replace the natural process of nutrition through the stomach and deliver the substances necessary for life.
Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are one of the first areas of therapy in ancient medical manuscripts, along with help for injuries. How to treat individual symptoms was taught even under Hippocrates and Avicenna.
Terms and classifications
The term “gastrointestinal tract” is very old, taken from anatomy. It implies and justifies its name - the stomach and intestines. More precisely, let's say - from the place of attachment of the esophagus to the anus. This means that only the pathology of these organs should be considered diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Modern knowledge about the digestive system has accumulated many facts about the inextricable connections between the work of the stomach, the causes of intestinal pathology and the functioning of other organs - the liver, gallbladder and ducts, and pancreas. Today's medical professionals more often use the term “diseases of the digestive system”; the old name refers to its expanded concept.
The International Statistical Classification has identified a separate class of diseases and calls it “Diseases of the digestive organs.” However, let us explain the features of statistical accounting. Gastrointestinal diseases in this group exclude the pathology that we are accustomed to attributing to digestive problems:
The list of diseases would be incomplete without congenital anomalies and defects (for example, achalasia of the esophagus)
Therefore, when territories report a stable state of gastrointestinal morbidity, they separately take into account the growth of viral hepatitis, outbreaks of intestinal infections, the danger of cancerous degeneration and identified new cases of neoplasms.
According to statistics published by the Ministry of Health, the number of gastrointestinal diseases has been trending downward in recent years. It firmly holds 4th–6th place in the total number after diseases of the respiratory system, genitourinary system, and skin (excluding injuries).
However, targeted studies and visits to medical institutions allow us to conclude that:
- up to 60% of the adult population suffer from digestive system disorders, and in large cities and metropolitan areas - up to 95%;
- among visits to therapists, gastrointestinal problems account for 37%;
- Men under 50 years of age suffer from peptic ulcers 3 times more often than women:
- ulcerative changes in the duodenum exceed those in the stomach by 8–10 times;
- the population remains insufficiently informed about the possibilities of early detection and timely diagnosis of malignant neoplasms of the stomach and intestines.
Data from attending physicians indicate that 4.5–5% of people in the Russian Federation die annually from diseases of the digestive system. In the structure of cancer mortality, colorectal cancer ranks second, and stomach cancer ranks third.
Doctors of various specialties treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: therapists, pediatricians, gastroenterologists, infectious disease specialists, oncologists, surgeons.
What happens in the human digestive tract
The main functions of the digestive system are:
- motor-mechanical - allows you to crush, mix and move the food bolus along parts of the tract, remove toxins from the body;
- secretory - responsible for the chemical processing of food particles with the connection of various enzymes found in the juices of interested organs;
- suction - ensures the selection and assimilation of only the substances and liquids needed by the body from the contents.
In recent years, another importance of the digestive organs has been proven - participation in the synthesis of certain hormones and elements of the immune system. Diseases of the stomach and intestines are caused by a malfunction of one or more areas.
Of particular importance is the sufficient functioning of the duodenum, liver, and pancreas. According to their anatomical structure, these organs are very closely related to the gastrointestinal tract. Disruption of their work leads to dysfunction of the entire gastrointestinal tract.
The most important causes of gastrointestinal disorders
An important cause of diseases of the digestive system is poor nutrition. Main mistakes:
- long breaks in food intake - disrupt the reflex mechanism for the production of digestive juices, allowing significant concentrations of enzymes to accumulate in the stomach and intestines without food intake, which causes dangerous damage to one’s own mucous membrane;
- the predominance of fatty meat foods, fried and smoked dishes, hot seasonings and sauces - contributes to the failure of the formation and flow of bile into the intestines, congestion in the bladder and increases the risk of stone formation;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages - has a direct toxic effect on liver cells, the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, leads to increased consumption of enzymes, atrophic processes, contributes to atherosclerotic damage to blood vessels and impaired nutrition of the walls;
- consuming foods of contrasting temperatures is an excessive irritant to the stomach; the habit of very hot drinks plays a role in the occurrence of gastritis.
Passion for vegetarianism damages the supply of essential amino acids obtained only from animal proteins, and therefore the construction of the cell membranes of the digestive organs themselves
Toxic substances with a damaging effect on the gastrointestinal tract include:
- industrial contact with pesticides, alkalis, salts of heavy metals, concentrated acids, household and suicidal poisoning;
- medications of the antibiotic class, some antifungals, cytostatics, hormonal drugs;
- nicotine and drugs.
After treating the gastrointestinal tract with antibacterial agents, it is necessary to use additional agents that restore beneficial microflora. Infectious diseases affecting the gastrointestinal tract are caused by: different strains of Escherichia coli, staphylo- and streptococci, enterococci, Klebsiella, Proteus, salmonella, shigella, hepatitis viruses, herpes, helminths (ascariasis), amoebas, echinococci, lamblia.
High infection of the population with Helicobacter is considered one of the factors in the spread of chronic inflammation of the stomach (gastritis).
The penetration of infection through the stomach and intestines, the creation of a comfortable environment for living and reproduction, is accompanied by damage to the entire body, a toxic effect on the brain, and cells of the hematopoietic system. As a rule, it is possible to cure such diseases only with specific agents that can specifically destroy the infectious agent.
Abdominal injuries and wounds disrupt the blood supply to internal organs, stomach, and intestines. Ischemia is accompanied by vascular thrombosis, necrotic manifestations with rupture of sections of the intestine. The negative effects of ecology and ionizing radiation are among the first to disrupt the functioning of the secreting cells of the glandular epithelium. During treatment with chemotherapy and irradiation of tumors of various locations, the liver, intestines and stomach suffer.
Heredity among members of the same family is expressed in a predisposition to gene mutations when encountering risk factors, which is expressed in structural anomalies, functional underdevelopment, and high sensitivity to other causes.
Ecological troubles in nature affect the stomach and intestines through low quality drinking water, increased intake of pesticides and nitrates from vegetables, and antibiotics, hormones, and harmful preservatives from meat products.
An irresistible stress load on a person can lead to digestive disorders. The spread of pathology of the endocrine organs due to diabetes mellitus, diseases of the thyroid gland and parathyroid glands disrupts the regulation of the secretion of juices and enzymes.
Great importance is attached to violations of hygienic skills, sanitary illiteracy of children and adults, non-compliance with the rules of culinary processing and storage of food
What gastrointestinal diseases do people encounter most often?
Of the diseases caused by pathology of the stomach and intestines, the following pathologies should be noted as the most common diseases of inflammatory origin.
Gastritis
inflammation proceeds from a more favorable superficial one, to the formation of erosions and atrophy of the inner membrane, very different with high and low acidity, and dyspepsia is sure to occur.
Impaired motor function of the muscular layer of the stomach and sphincters
When the upper cardiac sphincter is weakened, the formation of gastroesophageal reflux disease with reverse reflux of acidic contents and damage to the esophagus is possible. If the contractility of the pyloric part changes, then pylorospasm or reflux of bile from the duodenum appears. This is how biliary reflux gastritis is formed.
Duodenitis
Duodenums, usually a complement and continuation of gastritis, somewhat change the nature of the symptoms. The pain becomes “late”, 1.5–2 hours after eating, and there is an admixture of bile in the vomit.
Gastroenteritis
The general name for diseases of the stomach and intestines, most often caused by infectious genesis, poisoning with low-quality products. They occur acutely with high fever, nausea and vomiting, pain of various localizations, and diarrhea. Children experience a dangerous symptom - dehydration.
Enterocolitis
Infectious and non-infectious lesions of the intestinal mucosa, possible manifestations of dysentery, typhoid fever, cholera. Patients are bothered by spastic pain in the left or right half of the abdomen, false urge to go to the toilet (tenesmus), and fever. The whole body suffers from intoxication.
Appendicitis
Local inflammation of the appendix has its own symptoms, but always requires differential diagnosis due to the anatomical features of the location.
Haemorrhoids
A disease of the rectal veins that affects the majority of the adult population. In origin, a tendency to constipation, sedentary work, and difficult childbirth in women are important. It manifests itself as severe pain in the anus, itching of the skin, and bleeding during bowel movements. Lack of treatment leads to the transfer of inflammation from dilated veins to nearby tissues, pinching of venous nodes, formation of cracks in the rectal mucosa, and cancer.
Dysbacteriosis
It is not considered an independent disease, but due to the nature of digestive disorders, the condition requires correction, additional therapy and special examination of stool for intestinal flora. It can be caused either by inflammation or by medications.
A decrease in the proportion of beneficial bifidobacteria and lactobacilli contributes to disruption of food digestion and activates opportunistic bacteria. Prolonged diarrhea is especially difficult for young children.
Peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum
Persistent painful symptoms, seasonality and damage to the mucous membrane up to the muscular layer; signs of bleeding are found in the stool. Severe complications are possible in the form of perforation of the ulcer into the abdominal cavity or neighboring organs. They manifest themselves as dagger pains and the patient’s state of shock.
Neoplasms of different localization
This includes polypous growths and cancer. Tumors form under the influence and against the background of various gastroenterological diseases. It is known that colorectal cancer is transformed from colon polyps, stomach cancer from atrophic gastritis.
If the tumor grows inward, then manifestations are detected by a mechanical obstruction to the movement of feces (constipation). With external growth (exophytic), symptoms are not detected for a long time or have general intestinal manifestations (vague pain, unstable stool).
Quite rare gastrointestinal diseases include:
- Crohn's disease is a severe lesion of the entire digestive “tube” from the oral cavity to the rectum, in half of the cases - the ileum and rectum, and is classified as a hereditary autoimmune pathology in origin. The exact reason is unknown. Granulomatous growths grow throughout the entire thickness of the intestinal wall. The clinical manifestations are characterized by diarrhea, abdominal pain, and prolonged fever. It occurs as inflammation, spasm or perforation with the formation of fistula tracts.
- Whipple's disease- affects mainly men, is considered an infectious disease (the causative bacterium has been isolated), but researchers emphasize the role of an excessive perverted reaction of the immune system. It manifests itself as prolonged diarrhea, fever and general symptoms (joint pain, damage to the skin, heart, eyes, hearing, neurological signs).
In a hiatal hernia, a protrusion into the chest cavity forms the esophagus and the upper edge of the stomach
The role of esophageal pathology
On the one hand, the esophagus is considered in the gastrointestinal tract simply as a connecting tube from the mouth to the stomach, so the condition of the muscle base for “pushing” food matters. But on the other hand, the connection with the stomach causes changes in the mucous membrane in the lower sections and leads to local disease. The most frequently identified pathologies are those described below.
Esophagitis - inflammation with painful swallowing of liquid and solid food, a burning sensation in the epigastric region, heartburn, belching. The culprit is reflux of acid from the stomach. In severe cases, the disease is called gastroesophageal reflux.
Hiatal hernia - pathology caused by a violation of the localization of the esophagus, displacement of the lower border, protrusion of the diaphragm from the esophageal opening. The disease can be inherited or formed as a result of long-term inflammatory processes in the esophagus and stomach. The main manifestation is reflux of food into the esophagus with heartburn, belching, pain, bloody vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Treatment is surgical only.
Barrett's esophagus is the leading cause of esophageal ademocarcinoma. It is detected by fibrogastroscopy after examining a biopsy sample. A sign such as prolonged heartburn is the reason for mandatory examination. Typical detection is the growth of squamous epithelial tissue in place of the esophagus.
If detected, the affected areas are removed using a laser beam. It is still possible to prevent cancerous transformation.
Ulcerative non-infectious colitis of autoimmune etiology is attracting increasing attention due to its spread among children and adults
Serious secondary disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are caused by:
- viral and non-infectious hepatitis;
- cirrhosis with liver and kidney failure;
- diseases of the pancreas from functional disorders to pancreatitis and cancer;
- cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases
Therapy of digestive diseases requires taking into account the pathogenetic mechanisms of the occurrence of disorders. It is most correct to treat the gastrointestinal tract according to clinical syndromes.
Dyspepsia
Dyspepsia syndrome includes subjective symptoms. It is customary to distinguish between the gastric and intestinal types. Most stomach diseases are characterized by:
- pain in the epigastric region of varying intensity, but always associated in time with food intake;
- feeling of fullness in the stomach;
- heartburn;
- nausea and vomiting;
- belching;
- loss of appetite.
The combination of these symptoms depends on the nature of the disease, the stage of the process and the degree of functional impairment
So, according to the set of symptoms, dyspepsia is divided:
- for reflux - manifested by a burning sensation behind the sternum, belching, heartburn, difficulty swallowing;
- ulcer-like - the patient experiences intermittent “hungry” pain, worsening may occur at night (late pain);
- dyskinetic - patients complain of heaviness in the epigastrium, a feeling of fullness in the stomach, nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting;
- systemic - characterized by bloating, rumbling in the intestines, stool disorders, possible painful spasms.
Dyspepsia of the human intestinal tract is accompanied by: flatulence, transfusion and rumbling in the intestines, spastic or bursting pain in the abdomen without constant localization, unstable stool. Symptoms occur when the function of the stomach and intestines is impaired. Observed in hypoacid gastritis, enterocolitis, tumors, adhesions, chronic pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hepatitis.
Signs of intestinal dyspepsia are constant, not related to feeding, more intense in the afternoon, and usually subside by night. They intensify when consuming dairy products and vegetables high in fiber (cabbage, beets). Patients attribute improvement in their condition to defecation and release of gases.
Hyperacid syndrome
Symptoms of gastrointestinal disease with increased acidity of gastric juice appear with gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcers, and are typical for heavy smokers. An increased concentration of hydrochloric acid is associated with increased secretion, insufficient neutralization, and delayed evacuation of stomach contents into the duodenum.
Hyperacidity of the stomach is distinguished by the following symptoms:
- heartburn on an empty stomach, after eating, at night;
- belching sour;
- increased appetite;
- vomiting of sour contents;
- pain in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium, “hungry”, late at night;
- tendency to constipation due to spasm of the pylorus and slower evacuation of food masses.
Hypoacid syndrome
Occurs when the acidity of gastric juice decreases. It is observed with stomach ulcers, atrophic gastritis, cancer, gastrointestinal infections, chronic cholecystitis, anemia, and general exhaustion. Signs of hypoacidity:
- poor appetite (in severe cases, weight loss);
- intolerance to certain foods;
- nausea;
- flatulence;
- “hungry” pain in the stomach;
- diarrhea (the pyloric opening is constantly gaping, so the intestinal mucosa is irritated by undigested food).
The nature of the pain is different (spastic or bursting)
Enteral and colitic insufficiency syndrome
Manifested by intestinal and general symptoms. Intestinal symptoms include: pain around the navel 3-4 hours after eating, dyspepsia and dysbacteriosis. The stool is loose, foamy, foul-smelling several times a day, or constipation with atony in old age.
Common symptoms include:
- weight loss due to increased appetite;
- fatigue, insomnia, irritability;
- skin manifestations (dryness, peeling, brittle nails, hair loss);
- iron deficiency conditions, anemia;
- hypovitaminosis with bleeding gums, stomatitis, blurred vision, petechial rash (lack of vitamins C, B2, PP, K).
General principles of treatment of gastrointestinal diseases
Treatment of the stomach and intestines cannot be done without following a single regimen, which necessarily includes diet, exercise therapy and physiotherapy outside the acute stage, if the symptoms and examination results do not raise concerns about cancerous degeneration.
Basic menu requirements:
- Regardless of the nature of the pathology of the stomach or intestines, meals should be taken in small portions 5–6 times a day;
- all irritants to the mucous membrane are excluded (alcohol, carbonated water, strong tea and coffee, fried and fatty foods, canned food, smoked foods and pickles);
- the selection of a diet is carried out taking into account the type of gastric secretion of a particular patient; in an anacid state, stimulating dishes are allowed, in a hyperacid state they are prohibited;
- in the first week of exacerbation, crushed, pureed food, liquid porridge with water are recommended;
- expansion of the diet depends on the results of treatment of the stomach and intestines, and the patient’s well-being;
- the possibility of consuming dairy products is decided individually;
- It is necessary to prepare food in stewed, boiled and steamed form.
Dyskinesia and functional disorders of the stomach and intestines can be effectively relieved by physical therapy
Drug treatment
Upon receipt of a conclusion about the presence of Helicobacter in the stomach, a course of eradication with antibiotics and bismuth preparations is recommended. Its effectiveness is monitored by repeated studies.
To support the secretory function of the stomach, drugs such as Pepsin, gastric juice, and Plantaglucid are used.
With increased acidity, gastric secretion blockers (proton pump inhibitors) and enveloping agents (Almagel, Denol, Hefal) are needed. To relieve pain, antispasmodics (No-Shpa, Platyfillin) are prescribed. Cerucal helps with hypotonic damage to the stomach and intestines, relieves nausea, vomiting, and activates peristalsis.
To stimulate healing for stomach ulcers, Riboxin, Gastrofarm, Solcoseryl, and anabolic hormones are used. In case of chronic damage to the intestines and stomach with symptoms of vitamin deficiency and anemia, injections of vitamins and iron supplements are prescribed.
Moderate signs of bleeding indicate the involvement of a small-diameter vessel in the process; general anti-inflammatory therapy helps in eliminating it. In case of bloody vomiting and black stools with symptoms of blood loss and signs of obstruction, surgery with resection of the damaged part of the stomach or intestine is necessary.
Cancerous changes are treated with courses of chemotherapy and radiation. The extent of surgical intervention depends on the stage. Physiotherapeutic procedures can improve the regeneration of the epithelium of the stomach and intestines, relieve hypertension, and normalize motility.
For this we use:
- electrophoresis with the introduction of the necessary drug from the active electrode;
- diadynamic currents;
- phonophoresis.
Spa treatment with water and mud applications from natural sources helps to achieve long-term remission.
Phytotherapy
Treatment with herbal remedies should be used after the acute symptoms of inflammation of the intestines and stomach have been eliminated. Decoctions of chamomile, yarrow, calendula, oak bark, and plantain have anti-inflammatory properties.
The enveloping effect on the stomach of oatmeal jelly and flaxseed decoction is beneficial
Diseases of the stomach and intestines are treated by specialists from clinics. Oncologists consider it necessary, for the purpose of early diagnosis of cancer, to conduct ultrasound examination and esophagogastroduodenoscopy for all persons over 40 years of age, even if there are no symptoms.
And if there are complaints about bowel function, try to examine the patient using colorectoscopy. This study is still less accessible and is carried out in specialized hospitals or private clinics. But a timely diagnosis is worth the cost.
According to statistics, recently, disruptions and pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract occupy a leading place among other diseases. Residents of large cities are especially susceptible to them. The reason for this is an unhealthy lifestyle and constant stress. Therefore, by the age of 30, every fourth person suffers from gastrointestinal diseases.
Characteristics of the digestive system
It's no secret that the digestive tract plays a very important role in the functioning of the body. With its help we get vitamins, microelements, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber and healthy acids. Some of them serve as building material for cells and provide us with energy. Other substances contribute to the smooth functioning of organs and systems. Therefore, gastrointestinal diseases can not only disrupt the normal rhythm of a person’s life, affecting his health, but in some cases lead to death.
The gastrointestinal tract consists of the following components: the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach and intestines, which includes the thin, thick and straight sections. The main functions of all these organs are: the breakdown of food, the removal of its remains from the body, the production of useful enzymes that promote proper digestion and absorption of necessary substances. Without the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, a person feels discomfort, he feels unwell, which, due to lack of treatment, can become chronic.
Causes of diseases
There are a lot of them and most of them relate to the wrong lifestyle. The main causes of gastrointestinal diseases are as follows:
- Unbalanced diet: constant dieting, overeating, unhealthy snacks and chewing on the go, regular visits to establishments selling fast food, lack of healthy fiber, instead, the predominance of animal fats and hard-to-digest carbohydrates in the diet.
- Ecology: low quality of drinking water, the presence of large amounts of nitrates and pesticides in vegetables, antibiotics and preservatives in meat products.
Acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases have a number of signs that make it easy to determine whether you have problems with this part of the body. These include the following symptoms:
- Abdominal pain. With ulcers it is sharp, with frequent localization, in the case of appendicitis and hernia - strong, pulsating, when a person has colic - cramping.
- Heartburn. Painful sensations are typical for it with an ulcer, intensification - with a hernia.
- Belching. Sour indicates indigestion, with the smell of rotten eggs - a pathological retention of food in the stomach and intestines.
Symptoms also include vomiting and nausea, which are more typical of chronic diseases. For example, for gastritis. If the vomit contains bloody discharge and clots, it may be an open ulcer or stomach cancer. If a patient regularly suffers from flatulence, he may be diagnosed with dysbiosis, pancreatic secretory insufficiency, or complete or partial intestinal obstruction.
Other signs
Gastrointestinal diseases also have less pronounced symptoms that indicate damage to the digestive system: bad breath, a feeling of bitterness, the appearance of a white coating on the tongue, poor appetite (especially an aversion to meat products), constant thirst, increased salivation, a sharp decrease in body weight, the development of anemia, pallor, dizziness, weakness, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, prolonged bowel dysfunction (constipation or diarrhea), as well as the appearance of bloody discharge in the stool.
These symptoms in themselves are not dangerous, but can disrupt the normal rhythm of life, affect its quality, and also indicate the development of pathology. Therefore, the sooner you see a doctor, the faster and easier the treatment will be, the therapy will work effectively and the result will be complete healing. If the disease is not detected early and not treated, it can cause serious complications or will regularly worsen for the rest of your life.
Major diseases
They are typical for a larger percentage of patients who seek medical help. Firstly, it is gastritis, the development of which is provoked by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, as well as errors in nutrition, bad habits and constant neuroses. With gastritis, the mucous membrane of the gastric walls suffers, which is why a person feels pain and suffers from indigestion. Secondly, it is a stomach and duodenal ulcer. Among other things, it is characterized by painful sensations, heartburn, and problems with digestion of food. An ulcer is formed when the gastrointestinal tract is damaged and the integrity of the tissue is damaged, and this can lead to life-threatening complications.
The third and most common gastrointestinal disease is colitis. Occurs under the influence of pathogenic bacteria, against the background of infection. It is localized in the intestinal mucosa and is inflammatory in nature. Nonspecific colitis causes ulcerative lesions, which cause peritonitis, intestinal bleeding, malignant tumors and obstruction.
Other diseases
Their list is huge. What gastrointestinal diseases are most common among patients? First of all, it is pancreatitis and dysbacteriosis. The first refers to inflammatory diseases of the pancreas, which is characterized by vomiting, nausea, indigestion and pain. The second is the consequences of changes in the natural state of the intestinal microflora, as a result of which its full functioning is disrupted, problems arise with the digestibility of food and its normal excretion from the body.
The most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract include the following ailments: cholecystitis - inflammation of the gallbladder, which is accompanied by bitterness in the mouth, nausea, pain, problems with stool and dyspeptic symptoms; cirrhosis of the liver - a deadly disease in which large-scale damage to the cells of the organ occurs. Digestive diseases are also called hemorrhoids and appendicitis.
Clinical picture in children
Unfortunately, recently there has been an increase in cases of digestive pathologies in children. Gastrointestinal diseases in children occur due to several factors: poor environment, heredity and poor nutrition. As for the latter, it manifests itself in the uncontrolled consumption by minors of carbonated drinks, fast food products, and sweets that contain emulsifiers, dyes and preservatives. Doctors say that intestinal diseases in children most often manifest themselves at 5-6 and 9-11 years old. The clinical picture is as follows: the baby has a stomach ache, feels nauseous or vomits, and complains of diarrhea or constipation.
Even babies are not protected from illnesses. They often suffer from so-called colic. The reason is artificial feeding. Therefore, doctors never tire of insisting that breast milk is the best nutrition for the youngest children. It not only has a beneficial effect on the stomach, but also helps strengthen the immune system. An organism that receives a sufficient amount of natural vitamins, microelements and antibodies from mother’s milk can also provide adequate resistance to various bacteria that cause gastrointestinal tract diseases.
Intestinal diseases in children
Acute intestinal diseases of children are classified as a separate group of gastrointestinal diseases. These are salmonellosis and dysentery, which cause intoxication, dehydration and various dyspeptic disorders. Such symptoms are very dangerous and require immediate hospitalization. Interestingly, it is children who most often suffer from intestinal infections. This is due to the fact that in babies the body’s defense mechanisms still work imperfectly. The reasons are also children’s ignorance of sanitary standards and the physiological characteristics of their gastrointestinal tract.
Acute infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can provoke a delay in physical development, “kill” the immune system and cause a number of other serious complications and irreversible consequences. They are usually accompanied by a complete lack of appetite, fever, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The baby complains of weakness and fatigue, he is lethargic and lethargic. Such a child needs medical care: antibacterial therapy is prescribed by a pediatric gastroenterologist.
Treatment
First you need to contact a specialized doctor - a gastroenterologist. Only after passing the necessary tests and examinations will he make an accurate diagnosis. Treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, its duration and intensity will depend on the specific disease, the form and stage of its development, the degree of neglect, and the general condition of the patient. Drug therapy is usually used, but in some cases surgical intervention is urgently required.
Tactics are selected individually. The following drugs are usually prescribed:
- Antacids - neutralize gastric juice.
- Alginates - normalize acidity.
- Prokinetics - stimulate gastrointestinal motility.
- Antispasmodics - relieve spasms of smooth muscles.
- Antibiotics and probiotics.
- Enterosorbents - against intoxication.
- Antimicrobial agents.
- Enzyme digestive preparations, etc.
In combination with drug treatment, traditional medicine is also used: infusions and decoctions of medicinal plants. For example, immortelle, nettle, yarrow, lemon balm. They are very effective, but you can only take them under the supervision of your doctor.
Diet for gastrointestinal diseases
All diseases from this series are so different that specific recommendations can be given only after a detailed study of the diagnosis. The diet is subject to adjustment in each individual case. But there are also general requirements for the patient’s diet. Firstly, you need to eat often - 6 times a day. Portions should not be large; it is best if the dish is rare or crushed. This way you won't overload your stomach and intestines. Secondly, the patient needs to drink 2 liters of water per day.
The diet for gastrointestinal diseases must be gentle. Preference should be given to souffles, purees, omelets, low-fat fish and meat broths. Fried, smoked, canned, pickled, salted - are strictly prohibited. You should also give up various sauces, semi-finished products, seasonings and spices. It is also better to exclude vegetables that cause fermentation processes. These are all legumes, corn, peas, cabbage, turnips and radishes. Other vegetables must be thoroughly boiled or stewed. Food should be fresh and easy to digest. The more fiber in the diet and the less refined food, the better the gastrointestinal tract will function.
Prevention
First of all, it’s still the same balanced and proper nutrition. Prevention of gastrointestinal diseases includes the following measures: compliance with the rules of sanitary food preparation and personal hygiene. This way you will protect yourself and your family from intestinal infections. Eat only healthy foods: vegetables, fruits, herbs, low-fat dairy products, fish and meat. Try to ensure that proteins, fats and carbohydrates are in the correct ratio in your daily diet.
Gastrointestinal diseases “love” passive people very much. Therefore, try to move more, play sports, and spend a lot of time outdoors. An excellent option would be swimming, light running, aerobics and even walking. Give up bad habits - they provoke disruptions in the functioning of the intestines and stomach. Try to protect yourself from stress, don’t be too nervous, take natural sedatives: valerian or motherwort. If the first alarming symptoms occur, consult a doctor immediately - this way you will avoid the progression of the disease and prevent it from becoming chronic, and, of course, achieve a complete recovery.
Pathologies of the digestive organs occur in almost every second person, and often begin to develop in childhood. Treatment of such diseases takes a long time, because in most cases they become chronic.
Causes of gastrointestinal diseases
Diseases of the stomach and intestines can be detected at any age. There is some pattern in their development: for example, gastric ulcers are more common in men, gastritis and damage to the duodenum are more common in women, and functional disorders are more common in children.
Disruption of the gastrointestinal tract entails the cessation of the normal implementation of its functions:
- motor-mechanical(grinding, food transportation);
- secretory(enzyme production, food digestion);
- suction(absorption of nutrients).
With prolonged exposure to pathogenic factors, deeper changes begin to form - inflammatory, destructive, and sometimes tumorous. Experts name two main causes of stomach diseases in humans - stress and poor nutrition. The last reason includes a number of negative aspects:
- abuse of crackers, chips, fast food;
- overeating and undereating;
- adherence to strict, starvation diets;
- frequent consumption of fatty, fried, spicy foods;
- irregular nutrition, etc.
Inflammation of the main organ of the gastrointestinal tract - the stomach, as well as the duodenum - is more common than other diseases within the competence of a gastroenterologist. If diagnosed, chronic gastritis will be detected in 50% of the population. Symptoms of stomach disease are:
If an exacerbation of gastritis develops, all signs intensify. The pain can be cutting and severe, sometimes forcing a person to starve. After eating, vomiting occurs. Body temperature often rises (up to 37.5 degrees). Eating food can cause diarrhea. The acidity of gastric juice increases greatly.
Some people experience hyposecretory gastritis, in which acidity is reduced, and the risk of tumors and polyps is higher.
Duodenitis almost always accompanies gastritis and has the same symptoms, so a person is diagnosed with gastroduodenitis.
Erosive forms of gastritis often develop with small superficial hemorrhages on the mucous membrane. There is also a form of reflux disease, in which the valve of the esophagus is weakened, and the contents of the stomach are thrown into the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Stomach ulcer and its consequences
Peptic ulcer is one of the most unpleasant and dangerous diseases in gastroenterology. Gradual or rapid destruction of mucosal cells against the background of increased acidity causes the appearance of defects. They can be single or multiple.
Typically, gastric ulcers are typical for older people; damage to the duodenum occurs in young people, especially with frequent stress. Almost all patients have Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
The symptoms of the pathology are very unpleasant. Here are the main ones:
- severe nausea, vomiting;
- blood in vomit;
- dark stool (with blood);
- sour belching;
- cutting pain after eating;
- discomfort under the ribs;
- weight loss;
- lack of appetite.
The most dangerous complications are ulcers. If it is not treated promptly, it may cause severe bleeding. The stool becomes black or large blood clots appear in the vomit. Hemoglobin drops quickly. Treatment can be either therapeutic (administration of liquid fibrinogen, taking antisecretory drugs, cold applied to the epigastric area) or surgical.
Perforation of the ulcer is even more severe, causing stabbing pain, pallor, and fainting. Within a few hours, the pathology turns into peritonitis, which threatens the person with death.
Tumor pathologies of the stomach
Stomach cancer occurs quite often, mainly in people over 55 years of age. Stomach cancer can be localized in any part; in 80% of people it metastasizes to the liver, pancreas, and intestines.
The reasons may be:
- immunodeficiencies;
- smoking;
- work in hazardous production.
There are also precancerous diseases - ulcers, hyposecretory gastritis, in the presence of which you need to undergo regular examinations.
Benign tumors of the gastrointestinal tract - polyps - are also not always harmless, some of them transform into cancer.
Symptoms of cancer become noticeable only at the stage when the tumor is large. The person begins to lose weight, there is weakness, malaise, pallor, and loss of appetite.
Taste preferences change, and the nature of the pain also becomes different, if it was present before. Heartburn and nausea are long-lasting and cannot be relieved with medications.
Sometimes gastric adenocarcinoma occurs. This type of tumor appears from the abundance of nitrates in the diet and damage to the gastrointestinal tract by harmful fumes and chemicals. Adenocarcinoma, even at an early stage, causes nausea, heaviness in the stomach, bloating after eating, and vomiting. Treatment of cancerous tumors is surgical; radiation and chemotherapy are also used.
Other stomach diseases
Among stomach diseases, the list of diseases is supplemented by hiatal hernia. It is detected mainly at the age of 40-70, more often in women. Up to half of the cases do not produce symptoms, the rest are combined with gastritis, stomach ulcers, and cholecystitis.
Hernias occur due to weakening of the hiatal ligaments in the diaphragm. Risk factors include chronic constipation, hard work, repeated pregnancies, and chronic lung diseases. Symptoms are similar to those of gastritis and reflux disease.
Diseases of the operated stomach are classified into a separate group:
- Complications of the operation. This is an injury to nerve endings, disruption of food movement, bleeding, and suture dehiscence.
- Relapse of the disease. Usually we are talking about an ulcer or tumor.
Other gastric pathologies are less common. Here is a list of diseases that are diagnosed in patients.
Almost all of these conditions are accompanied by belching and heartburn. Many of them are accompanied by dyspepsia, diarrhea and constipation.
Gastrointestinal diseases in children
In childhood, most disorders of the digestive system are functional in nature. Without proper treatment and with poor nutrition, they become chronic by school age.
Only congenital problems can cause serious deviations. For example, a paraesophageal hernia is associated with shortening of the esophagus and requires surgery.
Children often have pathologies of the gastric valves, which, in combination with an incorrect diet, causes the development of gastritis and duodenitis.
Stomach upsets in children can occur due to consumption of poor-quality food, food allergies, poisoning, and infectious diseases. They are accompanied by pain, bloating, colic, and belching. During diagnosis, disorders are most often found in all digestive organs:
With proper treatment and diet, it is possible to restore a child’s health. Treatment will be similar to the treatment of stomach diseases in adults.
How to determine the disease based on symptoms?
The course of all pathologies can be acute or chronic. In the first case, they become the result of poisoning or damage by infectious particles. The chronic form develops as a result of long-term influence of negative factors. The symptoms of all chronic stomach problems are similar, so an accurate diagnosis is made only after an FGS, ultrasound of the peritoneal organs, and a biochemical blood test (gastroprofile).
The main signs of stomach diseases are:
When there is pain in the navel area, this is intestinal colic; pain in the left hypochondrium is a sign of pancreatitis. Pain on the right is inherent in inflammation and other liver diseases.
Treatment of stomach problems
You need to eat boiled, stewed, steamed food, dairy dishes, vegetables and fruits (after heat treatment), fish, cottage cheese, and cereals. You should give up smoking and alcohol.
Medicines used:
- antisecretory agents (Omez, Nolpaza);
- antacids (Almagel, Maalox);
- drugs to improve motor skills (Trimedat);
- antispasmodics (Buscopan).
Many also need enzymes (Pancreatin) and anti-nausea medications (Motilium), as well as probiotics and prebiotics. An integrated approach will allow you to recover quickly, and the right lifestyle will help prevent exacerbations.
Symptoms of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and diseases leading to the manifestation of these symptoms. This page contains brief information; for more complete information on a specific symptom, go to the section or use the site search.
Heartburn
Heartburn is an unpleasant burning sensation along the esophagus, starting from the area of the xiphoid process, spreading upward. It is associated with the reflux of stomach contents, which have an acidic reaction, into the esophagus. The appearance of heartburn is facilitated by increased sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, increased activity of the cardiac part of the stomach, as well as spasm of the pylorus - the part connecting the stomach and duodenum.
More often, heartburn appears against the background of increased acidity of gastric juice, but it can also occur with hypochlorhydria (lack of hydrochloric acid). Heartburn always accompanies reflux esophagitis and often occurs with gastric ulcers. Sometimes heartburn occurs with cholecystitis, during pregnancy. Some food intolerances can also cause heartburn.
Flatulence
Flatulence is bloating of the intestines, accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. It appears when gases accumulate in the lumen of the small or large intestine.
Normally, gases from the intestines are absorbed through the intestinal wall and then released through the lungs, some of the gases are eliminated through the rectum. With inflammation of the intestinal wall and venous stagnation, gas accumulation occurs. Therefore, flatulence is an early manifestation of portal hypertension syndrome.
With insufficient activity of enzymes that break down carbohydrates, fermentation processes in the intestines intensify. Flatulence after drinking milk is characteristic of lactase deficiency. Bloating after eating vegetables (potatoes, cabbage) is a sign of digestive disorders in the initial part of the large intestine.
Intestinal stenosis (for example, a tumor) is manifested by flatulence in a certain area, which disappears after rumbling in the intestines. Bloating in the left half of the abdomen is characteristic of megacolon. This symptom is usually pronounced in irritable bowel syndrome.
Sometimes flatulence is of a psychogenic nature or is associated with excessive swallowing of air (aerophagia).
Nausea
Nausea is an unpleasant feeling in the epigastric region, chest, and oral cavity, accompanied by salivation, often weakness and a decrease in blood pressure. Nausea is associated with stimulation of the vomiting center. Nausea in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is a reflex and is associated with irritation of receptors in the walls of the stomach and biliary tract.
Nausea can have a variety of causes. In particular, it is a symptom of diseases of the digestive system, such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, stomach cancer, hepatitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis.
Vomit
Vomiting is a complex reflex process that leads to the removal of gastric contents through the mouth. In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, vomiting has the same causes as nausea. Nausea and vomiting are nonspecific symptoms that occur with many other diseases. Vomiting is dangerous due to the possibility of gastric bleeding. In addition, with frequent vomiting, dehydration of the body and disruption of electrolyte balance and acid-base balance occur. As a result, the activity of internal organs is disrupted.
Belching
Belching is the release of gases from the stomach and esophagus through the mouth. It occurs when the diaphragm contracts. Belching air occurs with aerophagia - swallowing air. It can appear in healthy individuals after overeating or after drinking carbonated drinks.
Frequent belching may be a symptom of insufficiency of the cardia - the upper part of the stomach. It appears with a hiatal hernia, a bend in the stomach, or pyloric stenosis.
Dysphagia
Dysphagia is a violation of swallowing at the level of the oral cavity, pharynx or esophagus, accompanied by a feeling of stopping the food bolus, sometimes accompanied by pain. Most often, dysphagia is a sign of esophageal disease. It can be a manifestation of organic lesions (ulcers, tumors, consequences of a burn of the esophagus, esophagitis, achalasia cardia, foreign bodies of the esophagus). In other cases, dysphagia is associated with external compression of the esophagus due to tumors of the mediastinum, enlargement of the thyroid gland, and aortic aneurysm.
Bitterness in the mouth
Bitterness in the mouth is one of the signs of hepatic dyspepsia. Its appearance is associated with impaired movement (motility) of the gallbladder, biliary tract, duodenum, stomach, and esophagus. Most often, bitterness in the mouth is a symptom of cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and tumors of the hepatobiliary zone. It also occurs in gastritis and peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum.
Smell from the mouth
Bad breath may be a consequence of oral pathology (halitosis).
It can be a symptom of indigestion due to stomach diseases such as gastritis, peptic ulcer, diverticulum of the esophagus or stomach. The smell may be sour or resemble hydrogen sulfide.
The smell of bitterness occurs with diseases of the gallbladder. The smell of feces from the mouth usually indicates a severe pathology, such as intestinal obstruction.
Pathological impurities in feces
Pathological impurities in feces are substances that are normally contained in small quantities or are absent altogether. This is blood, mucus, remains of undigested food.
Residues of undigested food in the stool are usually the result of inflammatory diseases of the small intestine (enteritis). They are accompanied by an increase in the amount of feces, its dilution, and increased frequency of bowel movements.
An admixture of blood and mucus is characteristic of diseases of the colon and rectum, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Also, an admixture of blood and mucus can be a symptom of a colon tumor. Bright, unchanged blood appears with anal fissures and hemorrhoids.
Abdominal pain
Abdominal pain can accompany any disease of the digestive system. If the source of pain is hollow organs (stomach, intestines), it may be caused by spasm of smooth muscles or stretching of the walls of the organ due to blood flow disorders and inflammatory diseases. When a non-hollow organ is damaged (liver, pancreas), pain is associated primarily with stretching of the capsule of this organ as its size increases.
The main diseases of the digestive system, which cause abdominal pain:
- stomach diseases (gastritis, pyloric stenosis, peptic ulcer, tumor);
- diseases of the duodenum (peptic ulcer, tumor, megaduodenum);
- intestinal diseases (appendicitis, intestinal obstruction, enteritis, colitis, tumors, diverticula);
- diseases of the liver and pancreas (pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, tumors of these organs).
Constipation
Constipation is a rare difficulty in bowel movement, often accompanied by excessive hardness of stool, pain, and flatulence. You can talk about constipation when you have bowel movements less than 3 times a week. Constipation is associated with impaired colon motility due to a disorder in the regulation of intestinal activity. Another mechanism of constipation is a violation of the act of defecation due to pathology of the rectum.
Types of constipation:
- nutritional (associated with the consumption of predominantly protein foods, certain foods);
- neurogenic (for organic diseases of the nervous system);
- hypodynamic;
- inflammatory (for colitis);
- proctogenic (for diseases of the rectum);
- mechanical (intestinal tumors, intestinal developmental anomalies);
- toxic;
- medicinal;
- endocrine.
Constipation in children can be organic and functional. Organic is associated with anatomical disorders of the intestinal structure and manifests itself from birth. Organic constipation can occur as a result of intestinal surgery.
Functional constipation is quite common. Its criteria are not fully defined. It is believed that a child may not have bowel movements every day, but it should not be accompanied by discomfort during defecation, impurities in the feces, changes in its shape, or developmental disorders of the child. Physiological constipation can appear when a nursing mother’s diet changes, there is a lack of water in the child’s diet, or improper introduction of complementary foods. It can be a consequence of diseases such as rickets, hypothyroidism, food allergies, anemia, and helminthic infestation. In older children, constipation can occur when the child consciously suppresses the act of defecation, for example, while in kindergarten.
Rumbling in the stomach
Rumbling in the stomach can occur in a healthy, hungry person, as well as after overeating or drinking carbonated drinks.
This phenomenon may be a symptom of diseases associated with impaired motility of the stomach and intestines, as well as with excessive gas formation in the intestinal lumen. Rumbling appears with gastritis, peptic ulcers, enteritis and colitis. It may indicate excessive growth of pathogenic intestinal flora due to dysbiosis or be a manifestation of irritable bowel syndrome.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea (diarrhea) is frequent bowel movements, accompanied by an increase in the volume of feces and their dilution. Its occurrence is associated with the accelerated passage of feces through the intestines and slower absorption of fluid from it. The most common cause of diarrhea is inflammation of the intestines of a viral or bacterial nature (enteritis, colitis).
Diarrhea can occur due to digestive disorders (pancreatitis, cholestasis). Sometimes diarrhea is a consequence of taking certain medications. It may be associated with a disorder of neurohumoral regulation of intestinal activity.
Chronic diarrhea can be a symptom of almost all intestinal diseases.
Diarrhea in children is most often a consequence of an intestinal infection of a viral or bacterial nature. It can also be a symptom of lactase deficiency or food allergies. In some cases, diarrhea appears due to biliary dyskinesia in a child, as well as against the background of stressful situations (for example, teething).
Jaundice
Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin, conjunctiva and sclera of the eyes and other tissues. It can be a sign of many diseases. In many cases, jaundice occurs due to liver diseases accompanied by impaired liver function (hepatitis, cirrhosis). Other causes of jaundice may be disturbances in the outflow of bile through the biliary tract due to cholangitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, and tumors of the hepatobiliary zone.
Jaundice is often accompanied by severe skin itching, weakness, and dysfunction of the central nervous system. Some forms of jaundice are accompanied by discoloration of stool and dark urine. Hemolytic jaundice is also noted, which is associated with blood pathology, and not with damage to the digestive organs.
Itchy skin
Itchy skin can be a symptom of various diseases of the blood, kidneys, liver, endocrine diseases and many other conditions. Generalized skin itching often accompanies liver disease, in particular primary biliary cirrhosis. It is a symptom of liver failure. Skin itching appears with cancer of the head of the pancreas and other conditions that cause obstructive jaundice (cholelithiasis, cholangitis).
Hiccups
The appearance of hiccups is associated with irritation of the diaphragm and its sharp reflex contraction. Hiccups are most often not a symptom of digestive diseases. It occurs with pericarditis, pleurisy, ascites, peritonitis. Hiccups can be one of the symptoms of diaphragmatic hernia and intestinal obstruction.
Language changes
In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by neurotrophic disorders or leading to the development of intoxication, a coating appears on the tongue. It is usually white or grayish, less often yellow. Plaque on the tongue occurs with gastritis, peptic ulcers, stomach tumors, enterocolitis and many other diseases.
Swelling of the tongue is more common in intestinal diseases with impaired water-salt metabolism, primarily with enteritis and colitis.
In some diseases, the appearance of the tongue changes due to changes in the papillary apparatus. Thus, with gastritis and peptic ulcers, accompanied by high acidity, hyperplastic glossitis is formed with an increase and proliferation of the papillae of the tongue. With gastritis and peptic ulcers, as well as with diseases of the small intestine and biliary tract, atrophic glossitis can form, in which atrophy of the papillae occurs, and the tongue takes on a “varnished” appearance.
In diseases of the digestive system, ulcerative and desquamative lesions of the tongue and oral cavity, changes in taste sensitivity, and paresthesia (burning, tingling in the tongue) may appear.
Increased body temperature
Fever accompanies infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily intestinal infections. It can be a symptom of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. An increase in body temperature is observed in acute surgical pathology (appendicitis, peritonitis). It can accompany acute inflammatory processes in other parts (acute cholecystitis).
Tenesmus
Tenesmus is a painful urge to defecate, which is accompanied by the release of a minimal amount of feces. They appear in infectious colitis (for example, dysentery), ulcerative colitis, sigmoiditis, proctitis, tumors of the sigmoid and rectum. Tenesmus occurs with hemorrhoids and anal fissures. In children they can be a symptom of trichuriasis.
Tenesmus is often accompanied by erosions, cracks, itching in the anus, as well as prolapse of the rectal mucosa.
Salivation disorders
Increased salivation is most often not a symptom of damage to the gastrointestinal tract. Sometimes it can be accompanied by stomatitis or helminthic infestation.
Mental disorders
With a long, severe course of diseases of the digestive system, patients may develop mental disorders. Most often they manifest themselves as increased fatigue, tearfulness, and emotional lability. Sometimes vegetative-vascular disorders occur in the form of hypertensive crises and fainting. Prolonged headaches and radicular pains and symptoms of polyneuritis are not uncommon.
Such disorders may appear in patients with peptic ulcers, achalasia cardia, hypochlorhydria, colitis and gastritis.
There are forms of mental disorders manifested by changes in eating behavior - anorexia and bulimia. In this case, eating disorders are a consequence of mental illness.
Weight loss
Weight loss occurs when there are swallowing problems, such as narrowing or swelling of the esophagus.
Digestive disorders are also accompanied by weight loss. It may be caused by impaired digestion due to gastritis, peptic ulcers, pancreatitis, hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver. In addition, digestive disorders can be caused by decreased absorption of nutrients in celiac disease, enteritis and colitis of various etiologies.
Tumors of the gastrointestinal tract cause metabolic disorders and intoxication, which also leads to weight loss.
Weight loss occurs with a mental disorder such as anorexia nervosa. Worm infestations lead to weight loss.
Itching of the anus
Itching of the anus is a symptom of many diseases of the rectum, such as proctosigmoiditis, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, anorectal fistulas. The occurrence of itching in children is most often caused by helminthic infestations, in particular pinworms, roundworms or giardia.
Itching in the anus can occur in any condition accompanied by diarrhea and disruption of the normal intestinal microflora.
Itching in the anus can be a symptom of many other diseases not related to the digestive system.
Intestinal diseases, symptoms and signs of the disease, are the result of a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. The main symptoms are pain in the lower abdomen, diarrhea or constipation. However, it is worth finding out other symptoms of intestinal disorders and the most common diseases of the digestive system. Accurate identification of symptomatic features is very important because it narrows down the number of diseases that should be taken into account during diagnosis.
Diseases of the stomach and intestines have many common symptomatic signs, however, most of them also occur in other clinical conditions not related to problems with the digestive tract. Therefore, diagnosis of intestinal diseases requires careful laboratory and instrumental examination. The main symptoms and signs of intestinal disease are diarrhea, when the number of bowel movements is more than three times a day, and the stool has a liquid consistency.
The most common causes of diarrhea are:
- Impaired intestinal absorption of nutritional components - absorption.
- Reaction of the gastrointestinal tract to drugs.
- The presence of a gastrointestinal infection in the body.
- Digestive enzyme deficiency, such as lactase.
- Hypersensitivity of the intestines to a certain type of food.
- Functional disorders, e.g.
- Clinical disorders of the pancreas or thyroid gland.
In addition, diarrhea often occurs in people traveling to countries with lower standards of hygiene, which is a separate disease defined in medicine by the term "travelers' diarrhea."
The following signs and symptoms of bowel disease are abdominal pain. However, in addition to intestinal disorders, such symptoms may also indicate clinical problems with the liver, pancreas, blood vessels, urinary system, reproductive organs in women, and so on. Such symptoms should be strictly differentiated, since the localization of pain during inflammation of the small intestine is pain in the middle part of the abdomen, and diseases of the large intestine respond with pain in the lower abdomen, on the right or left side.
Nausea and vomiting are other possible symptoms and signs of bowel disease. However, such manifestations are rare in inflammation of the small or large intestine. A gag reflex and nausea may indicate both stomach and/or disorders of the central nervous system, balance organs, liver disease, or urinary system.
Constipation, when the number of bowel movements less than twice a week, is another symptom of bowel disease in women and men. If the causes of constipation are identified, then most often we are dealing with diseases of the large intestine. However, inflammation of the small intestine and/or rectum, nervous disorders, endocrine disorders and other inflammatory reactions in the body can also make defecation difficult.
Gastrointestinal diagnostics
Symptoms of intestinal diseases in women or men can be diagnosed using various laboratory and instrumental testing methods:
- Endoscopy of the small intestine, that is, observation of it from the inside using a special device - an endoscope.
- Gastroscopy, or esophagogastroduodenoscopy, allows you to view not only the esophagus and stomach, but also the initial section of the small intestine.
- Rectoscopy and colonoscopy allow you to assess the condition of the colon.
Obviously, abdominal ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance are useful in addition to these diagnostic modalities.
Diseases of the small intestine
The human small intestine, located between the stomach and large intestine, performs the main process of digestion - the absorption and movement of food. The food mass, processed by saliva and gastric juice, reacts with intestinal secretions, bile and pancreatic juice and then enters the small intestine. Thanks to the absorption and production of enzymes together with the pancreas and gall bladder, the food mass is broken down into individual components in the small intestine. The process of digestion and subsequent absorption is possible thanks to intestinal villi, which facilitate the task of assimilation of food by the body.
Like the large intestine, the small intestine is constantly in motion - a peristaltic wave propagates along the intestines, causing food to move, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the digestive tract. Any deviation from the norm caused by inflammation in the small intestine disrupts the overall functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Celiac disease
Ulcerative colitis of the colon
Crohn's disease also belongs to the so-called inflammatory bowel disease, with the difference that it affects only the large intestine. During this disease, inflammation and damage to the mucous membrane occurs for unknown reasons. The main symptoms of ulcerative colitis:
- bloody diarrhea;
- weakness and weight loss;
- fever.
The disease has a long course with remissions and varying degrees of severity. Diagnostic evaluation is based on imaging, laboratory and endoscopic studies. In the treatment of ulcerative colitis, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants are used, and after complications or lack of improvement after conservative treatment, surgery is used.
Microscopic colitis
Another type of disease of the large intestine is microscopic colitis, which is characterized by a lack of visualization, and the diagnosis is made on the basis of microscopic data from laboratory examination of samples. Symptoms of microscopic colitis include profuse watery diarrhea, weight loss, pain and bloating.
Colon diverticula
Meckel's diverticulum is a small bulge on the outside of the ileum wall. The incidence of colon diverticula increases with a person's age, and usually every third person on the planet over 60 years of age has a similar physiological abnormality. As a rule, signs of colon diverticulum are discovered by chance during a routine examination. Symptoms of colon diverticulum are mild and include abdominal pain, diarrhea alternating with constipation, and bloating. Despite the seemingly harmless condition, intestinal diverticulum can cause inflammation and abscess in the abdominal cavity, as well as cause bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract. Such complications require hospitalization and intensive care.
Intestinal oncology: symptoms and signs of the disease
A colon polyp is a bulge in the inner wall of the intestine that has various causes. The structure of polyps in the intestine can develop as a hemangioma, lipoma or cancer. The most common cause of the formation of polyps in the colon is the excessive proliferation of mucosal cells.
There are several types of colon polyposis:
- non-cancerous: juvenile, inflammatory or so-called Pezza-Jagers polyps;
- adenomatous polyps, unfortunately, are prone to malignant development and development into cancer.
Symptoms of chronic intestinal polyposis are characterized by rectal bleeding, frequent stools with mucus and blood. Diagnosis by colonoscopy allows you to detect asymptomatic polyps in the intestines before they develop into cancer.
Colon cancer
Colorectal cancer develops in 90% of adenomatous polyps and most often occurs in the elderly and senile.
Symptoms of cancer depend on its location. If cancer appears on the right side of the colon, it causes mild and often unnoticeable symptoms - anemia and mild abdominal pain. The left location leads to oily bleeding and irregular bowel movements - constipation followed by diarrhea.
There are no typical symptoms of colorectal cancer, but conditions that should make a person wary are the absence of bowel movements and frequent bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract. In such cases, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.
The most important diagnostic test for identifying or excluding colon cancer is considered a colonoscopy, which allows you to examine biological samples and, after examination, confirm the diagnosis of cancer.
Medical experts recommend having a colonoscopy at least once every 10 years, starting at age 45-50. The main treatment methods are chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery. The choice of medical treatment depends on the severity of colon cancer.
Other diseases of the small and large intestine
Intestinal ischemia is an acute pathology that occurs due to a sharp inhibition of blood flow in the vessels supplying the intestines. The disease is the most common cause of thrombosis or embolism. When the artery suddenly closes, symptoms of intestinal ischemia manifest as severe abdominal pain and vomiting. The human condition can be fatal and immediate surgery is required once diagnosed. However, if the ischemic process proceeds slowly, the symptoms of the disease arise from insufficient blood flow into the intestines and appear only when the flow is severely limited and prevents the collection of all digested substances. The most common signs of intestinal ischemia:
- weight loss;
- diarrhea;
- abdominal pain after a heavy meal.
Treatment of intestinal ischemia usually involves intravascular arterial clearance, that is, rapid cleansing of biological fluid in the intestine.
Crohn's disease
The disease refers to the so-called inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, which affects any part of the digestive tract. However, Crohn's disease most often spreads in the final part of the small intestine - the terminal ileum. During this disease, systemic symptoms are characteristic:
- general weakness of the body;
- fever;
- weight loss;
- abdominal pain;
- bloody diarrhea;
- ulcers in the anal area;
- perianal abscess.
The latter symptoms most express diagnostic confirmation of Crohn's disease. Treatment of clinical pathology is long-term with periods of intensity and remission of symptoms, but, unfortunately, is not always effective. Drug therapy uses anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and so-called biological drugs, and in case of complications, surgical treatment is necessary.
Intestinal obstruction
The pathological syndrome is characterized by partial or complete disruption of the transport of intestinal contents through the digestive tract, and is a particularly dangerous condition for human life, requiring immediate medical action, since there is a risk of developing peritonitis. A characteristic triad of symptomatic signs for intestinal obstruction: severe abdominal pain - nausea and vomiting - constipation.
There are many causes of obstruction, such as intestinal adhesions, pancreatitis, appendicitis, intestinal tumor, hernia and so on. Medical care for intestinal obstruction is surgery.
Intestinal hypersensitivity
Regardless of a person’s gender and age, an allergic or non-allergic abnormal reaction of the body to certain products is possible. Intestinal hypersensitivity to food products is determined when pain symptoms are reproduced after eating a certain food or any food ingredient.
The most common sensitizing foods are: cow's milk proteins, eggs, fish, seafood and nuts.
It happens that a so-called cross-reaction occurs in the intestines, that is, the appearance of unpleasant symptoms after eating a food different from the one after which hypersensitivity was detected. Clinicians distinguish two forms of this disease:
- anaphylactic gastrointestinal reaction;
- eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
The first symptoms are nausea, vomiting, pain in the lower abdomen and diarrhea. Typically, the inflammatory reaction is accompanied by a skin rash and shortness of breath. With eosinophilic gastroenteritis, the characteristic symptoms include lack of appetite and anemia. Diagnosing intestinal hypersensitivity to food is very difficult, since its symptoms can occur with other inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, skin diseases and disorders of the respiratory system. Symptomatic signs of intestinal disease are similar to asthma, allergic rhinitis and other allergy diseases. Therapeutic treatment primarily involves eliminating allergens from the diet and using antiallergic drugs.
Food poisoning
Food intoxication caused by eating food containing pathogenic bacteria or their toxins is a very common pathology among gastrointestinal disorders. It is especially common when common human complaints are diarrhea, body weakness, vomiting syndrome and nausea, spasmodic abdominal pain and fever.
Please note that the first symptoms of food poisoning may appear several hours or even days after eating.
When treating food intoxication, care should be taken first of all to ensure proper hydration and the delivery of electrolytes to the body. In addition, you should pay attention to your diet and, in case of poisoning, avoid eating any food except water for 2-3 days. In the future, easily digestible foods are recommended:
- boiled rice and other cereals;
- bananas;
- natural yogurt;
- boiled meat in small portions.
In addition, the consumption of fried foods and milk is strictly prohibited. Preventing food poisoning is primarily about hand hygiene and drinking food and water from trusted sources.
Prevention of intestinal diseases
Intestinal diseases can be prevented by therapeutic prophylaxis, which is known to everyone:
- Follow the principle of a healthy diet, eating only high-quality foods with sufficient mineral and vitamin content.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle, giving preference to regular physical activity, active recreation in nature, etc.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Prevent constipation in a timely manner.
- Maintain personal and sanitary hygiene.
Periodic examination of the gastrointestinal tract by a gastroenterologist is of no small importance in the prevention of intestinal disorders. Take care of yourself and always be healthy!
