Problems with the intestines. Why do bowel problems appear? If there are problems with the intestines, what are the signs

Content

Bowel-related diseases are a very sensitive topic, so many seek help in an already neglected condition. Do not be ashamed of the problem that has arisen, because at an early stage it will be much easier to deal with it. In addition, many bowel diseases lead to dangerous complications. This organ in the human body is responsible for the absorption of nutrients. Many diseases are associated with it, which differ in certain symptoms, but have several common methods of diagnosis and treatment.

What is bowel disease

These are pathologies in which the intestinal mucosa is affected in a certain part of the organ or throughout its length. Most of the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are associated with this department. Doctors note that almost all pathologies of the intestinal canal are well studied, therefore they are easy to treat, although this organ has a complex structure. It consists of two departments:

Thin. Its function is to absorb the nutrients the body needs. The department starts from the pylorus and ends with the ileocecal valve. The latter connects the thick and thin sections of the intestinal canal. Includes duodenum, jejunum and ileum.
Tolstoy. Three sections are distinguished here: the blind (with the appendix), the colon and the rectum. Their function is to absorb water from the "former food gruel" into the blood. This department is additionally responsible for the clearance of feces and their timely removal from the body.

The intestinal canal performs several vital functions such as digestion of food, evacuation of feces, gas production, protection from food allergens and infectious agents. For this reason, any disorders associated with this organ affect the general condition of the body. All diseases of this department of the gastrointestinal tract are divided into:

extraintestinal - develop from other organs, but affect the digestive tract;
intestinal, or local - connected directly with the intestinal canal.

This body has a length of several meters. For this reason, there are many diseases that can affect any of the intestines. The general list of ailments and the name of the intestine, which is affected by the pathological process:

sigmoiditis - sigmoid;
proctitis - direct;
enteritis - thin;
colitis - colon;
appendicitis - appendix;
eyunit - skinny;
duodenitis - thin and duodenal;
ileitis - iliac;
tiflit - blind.

More common diseases of the small intestine, such as enteritis, duodenitis and adhesive disease. Tumors can form here, as in the large intestine. Any of the departments of the body affects Crohn's disease. Diseases of the large intestine are more numerous:

dyskinesia;
dysbacteriosis;
haemorrhoids;
diverticulosis;
irritable bowel syndrome;
obstruction;
ulcerative colitis.

Diseases of the intestinal canal have another classification based on the etiology of diseases. According to this criterion, drug, toxic, traumatic, radiological, congenital and other pathologies are distinguished. The more common of them are:

There are many different causes of intestinal diseases. In most cases, their development is influenced by several factors at once, which complicates the course of the disease and its subsequent treatment. The most common reason is malnutrition. Spicy, fatty, salty, smoked foods, an abundance of sugar, fat and additives lead to digestive disorders. Other causes of illness include:

The main symptom of intestinal problems is abdominal pain. It can have different localization and intensity depending on the disease. If the pathology is associated with the small intestine, then there are severe pains around the navel of a pulling and aching character. In case of spasms, patients complain of intestinal colic. In diseases of the colon, pain is localized in the iliac region, on the left or right. The sensations are bursting, and they weaken after passing gases or defecation and do not depend in any way on food intake.

Inflammation of any part of the intestinal canal is accompanied by a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. It manifests itself in the form of the following symptoms:

Diarrhea when the frequency of stools exceeds 3-4 times a day. Fecal masses in diseases of the small intestine are liquid and plentiful, may contain particles of undigested food, and in pathologies of the large intestine, they include traces of mucus or streaks of blood.
Flatulence. Regardless of the localization of inflammation, bloating can be observed, which intensifies in the evening.
Constipation. Prolonged stool retention is characteristic of diseases of the thick section. Often constipation alternates with diarrhea.
Exchange disorders. These include anemia, weight loss, vitamin deficiency, which is manifested by dry skin, cracks in the corners of the mouth, petechial hemorrhages. Symptoms of bowel disease in women also include the failure of the menstrual cycle, which is why the disease is confused with inflammation or ovarian cancer.

Symptoms of disease of the small intestine

The main function of the small intestine is to nourish the body at the cellular level. With inflammation of this section, the absorption of necessary nutrients is weakened. This is indicated by the following symptoms:

bloating;
frequent loose stools with an admixture of mucus, blood blotches or the remnants of undigested food;
rumbling in the lower abdomen;
soreness of the area around the navel or in the abdomen on the right.

Eosinophilic enteritis

Mucous membrane. As a result of its damage, intolerance to certain products and the syndrome of impaired absorption are observed.
Muscular sheath. In this case, there are rigidity and thickening of the wall of the small intestine, symptoms of intestinal obstruction. An x-ray reveals pyloric stenosis.
subserous tissues. When this layer is affected, ascites is observed with eosinophilia in the ascitic fluid. Sometimes, due to the narrowing of the lumen of the canal, obstruction develops. The main symptom is diarrhea, which occurs in 30-60% of cases.

Whipple disease

This rare bowel disease is infectious in nature. It has other names: intestinal lipodystrophy, mesenteric lipogranulomatosis. Whipple's disease is accompanied by impaired cellular and humoral immunity. The disease affects, in addition to the small intestine, the synovial membranes of the joints and mesenteric lymph nodes. As the disease progresses, other organs are also involved in the pathological process. It proceeds in several stages:

First. Accompanied by extraintestinal manifestations: fever, headache, damage to the lymph nodes and joints.
Second. Here there is a pronounced dysfunction of the intestinal section in the form of indigestion and weight loss.
Third. At this stage, the cardiovascular and nervous systems are affected.

Against the background of Whipple's disease, malabsorption syndrome develops, due to which patients experience night blindness, signs of glossitis, cheilitis and gingivitis. The disease begins with an increase in lymph nodes and redness of the skin over the joints. Later, signs of damage to the digestive tract join:

steatorrhea, i.e. fatty stool;
severe diarrhoea, with a fetid odor, and copious, greasy or frothy stools;
anemia;
flatulence;
paroxysmal abdominal pain.

The occurrence of malignant tumors in the small intestine is a rare occurrence. They account for only 1% of cancers in the digestive tract. The danger of such a pathology is that its signs coincide with the symptoms of other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Small bowel cancer causes:

bloating;
nausea, vomiting;
pain in the epigastric region;
weakness;
weight loss.

In gastroenterology, duodenal cancer is more common, less often - jejunum or ileum. The causes may be chronic inflammatory or enzymatic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. With the growth of the tumor, obstructive intestinal obstruction joins the listed symptoms. As a result, compression of neighboring organs occurs, which can lead to:

pancreatitis;
ascites;
jaundice;
intestinal ischemia.

With ulceration of tumors, fistulas appear. The prognosis is not too comforting: with resection of neoplasms and the absence of metastases, it is possible to achieve a survival rate of 35-40% in the next 5 years. In general, the outcome depends on the staging of the process and the histological structure of the tumor. As a preventive measure of the disease, it is important to remove benign neoplasms in the small intestine in time and be observed by a gastroenterologist in the presence of chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.

large intestine

This department is responsible not only for the absorption of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, but also for the formation of feces from the remnants of processed food and their removal from the body. The main symptom of inflammation in the colon is discomfort in the lower abdomen. There are other characteristic features:

bloating;
fecal incontinence;
rumbling in the stomach;
pain in the anus, on the sides of the abdomen;
secretion of mucus from the anus;
violation of sexual desire;
diarrhea, constipation, their alternation;
release of gases;
unproductive urge to go to the toilet;
weakness;
weight loss;
vitamin deficiency.

irritable bowel syndrome

Otherwise, this disease is called dyskinesia, spastic bowel and mucous colitis. Irritable bowel syndrome is abbreviated as IBS. The disease is caused by dysmotility of the colon, which leads to disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The exact cause of the syndrome is still unknown. Great importance in its development is given to the psycho-emotional state, heredity, nutrition and the composition of the microflora. The main symptoms of IBS are:

rumbling in the stomach;
violation of the chair;
bloating;
pain in the intestines.

Attacks of diarrhea are more common in the morning. The urge to defecate occurs after breakfast. With a bowel movement, the pain and discomfort go away. Patients note that diarrhea also occurs against the background of psycho-emotional stress. Regardless of the diet, the patient is tormented by rumbling, constipation, abdominal pain. Sometimes discomfort is noted even in the back, heart and joints. IBS is difficult to distinguish from chronic pancreatitis, dysbacteriosis and oncology. Diagnosis is often based on the patient's subjective complaints and careful history taking.

Diverticulosis

The concept of "diverticulum" means stretching of the intestinal wall, which leads to the formation of a pocket in it, protruding into the abdominal cavity. Such formations are more often localized in the descending and sigmoid sections. The disease is called diverticulosis. The main reasons for its development are the weak tone of the intestinal walls and constant constipation. Uncomplicated diverticula cause only constipation and heaviness in the abdomen. In case of their inflammation, in addition to stool disorders, there are:

elevated temperature;
abdominal pain;
mucus and blood in the stool;
diarrhea.

chronic colitis

According to statistics, chronic colitis occurs in half of people with digestive problems. The disease is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the colon. Pathology is characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation and remission. Colitis can develop as a result of dysbacteriosis, weakened immunity, lack of plant fiber. Its presence is indicated by:

flatulence;
sharp pain after eating;
rumbling;
weakness;
inconsistent nature of the stool with alternating constipation and diarrhea;
feeling of bitterness in the mouth;
loss of appetite.

According to the prevalence of colitis is total and segmental. In the first case, the pathological process affects all parts of the colon, in the second - only a certain part of it. According to another classification, there are:

Spastic colitis. It is accompanied by severe pain in different parts of the intestine due to involuntary spasms. The reason is a violation of the motor activity of the intestine.
Nonspecific ulcerative colitis. It develops due to immune failures, the cause of which has not yet been clarified. Ulcers and bleeding are added to the main symptoms of colitis. This form of colitis is dangerous for the possible development of cancer.

Cancer

Among oncological pathologies, one of the leading places is occupied by colon cancer. It is more susceptible to people over the age of 40. The main risk factor is an unhealthy diet low in insoluble fiber and vitamins. Refined foods with a large amount of trans and animal fats negatively affect the colon. People whose relatives suffered from ulcerative colitis have a predisposition to cancer of this organ.

In the early stages, the tumor does not manifest itself. Cancer is often discovered during an accidental endoscopic examination. If the patient did not pass it, then over time he notices the following symptoms:

constipation;
blood in the stool;
severe weight loss;
pain during bowel movements;
weakness;
temperature.

Colon cancer is similar in symptoms to other intestinal pathologies, so the tumor process cannot be ruled out. If you have these symptoms, you need to see a doctor: donate feces for occult blood, undergo sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, check polyps and cysts for oncogenicity. Colon cancer is cured radically through surgery and chemotherapy. The prognosis of five-year survival at the first stage of the pathological process is 90%, at 2-3 - 60-85%, and at the last - 7%.

Diagnostics

Since the symptoms of different intestinal diseases are similar, you cannot self-diagnose. When the first pathological signs appear, you should consult a doctor. Based on the examination and a number of studies, the specialist will be able to get a complete picture of the disease, its nature and localization. To make the correct diagnosis, the following methods are used:

Flexible sigmoidoscopy. With the help of a special device - a sigmoidoscope, the doctor examines all parts of the intestine.
Irrigoscopy. This is an x-ray procedure in which a contrast agent is injected into the cavity of the organ under study. To study the small intestine, the patient is allowed to swallow a suspension of barium sulfate, and the large intestine is injected with a special preparation through the anus.
upper endoscopy. This method involves the use of an endoscope, which has a backlight and fiber optics. This helps the specialist examine the tissues of the esophageal tube, stomach, and intestines.
Colonoscopy. This is a specialized type of endoscopy. In this case, the endoscope device is inserted through the anus, and not through the mouth.
capsule endoscopy. This is a modern technique in which the examination of the intestine occurs due to a tiny container. The patient simply swallows it. During the day, the device records incoming information.

Treatment

Intestinal diseases are treated by a gastroenterologist. A proctologist deals with ailments of the rectum, infectious lesions - an infectious disease specialist, tumors - an oncologist. When the first symptoms appear, you should consult a therapist. After the examination, he will refer you to more specialized specialists. The treatment regimen will depend on the disease. Tumors are removed surgically, and other intestinal pathologies are first treated with conservative methods. Be sure to prescribe medications from the following list:

Improving intestinal motility: Metoclopramide, Cisapride. They improve the activity of the digestive tract, accelerate the processes of emptying, and have an antiemetic effect.
Immunostimulants: Immunal, Viferon. Used as an adjunctive therapy to balance the immune system.
Anti-inflammatory: Rektodelt, Salofalk. They help to quickly alleviate the condition, removing the pain syndrome.
Antibacterial: Bifidumbacterin, Lactobacterin. These drugs have an antibacterial effect in relation to a number of microbes: staphylococci, shigella, E. coli. Additionally, they normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract, have a positive effect on metabolic processes.
Enzymatic: Creon, Festal, Pancreatin, Mezim. These drugs improve the process of digestion by replenishing the deficiency of pancreatic enzymes.
Normalizing microflora: Lineks, Laktofiltrum. They are often prescribed after long antibacterial courses or immediately together with antibiotics.
Antispasmodics: No-shpa, Baralgin, Spazmalgon. Relieve pain and spasms caused by intestinal problems.

In the chronic course of the pathology, medication can last about six months. Some intestinal diseases are treated surgically. Most operations are aimed at removing the affected sections or eliminating obstruction. If necessary, impose an artificial anus - colostomy. Intestinal cancer can not do without radiation and chemotherapy.

Medical treatment is often supplemented with physiotherapy methods. For problems with the intestines, the following procedures are used:

colon hydrotherapy;
rising shower;
selective chromotherapy;
oxygen, radon, coniferous, pearl baths;
thermal procedures on the epigastric region (ozocerite, paraffin, mud applications);
galvanic current;
iontophoresis;
diathermy.

Diet

One medication for the treatment of intestinal diseases is not enough. The patient must follow a special diet that aims to:

normalization of digestion;
stimulation of recovery processes in the intestinal mucosa;
normalization of microflora;
replenishment of the body with nutrients;
elimination of metabolic disorders.

Meals should include a maximum of vitamins and useful trace elements. The products used are well boiled, stewed or baked, but not fried. Food must be taken 5-6 times every day at regular intervals. The optimal serving size is 200-250 g. Other nutritional rules:

do not eat dry food;
do not overeat;
do not eat 3-4 hours before bedtime;
not to starve.

From the diet, it is necessary to completely exclude foods that impair digestion, lead to constipation, diarrhea or flatulence. Their list includes:

roast;
fatty;
smoked;
acute;
sweets;
fatty broths;
fried soups;
bananas;
fatty meat, fish;
strong coffee and tea;
muffins.

The menu should not contain foods with coarse fiber: potatoes, beans, cabbage, zucchini, celery, bran, beans, nuts. With diarrhea, attention should be paid to fluids. Drinking more warm water is recommended to prevent dehydration. In this case, lemon tea, non-carbonated alkaline drinks, blueberry decoctions, and apple juice are useful. They are consumed on the first day of diarrhea. On the second day, you can add crackers without spices and additives, on the third - products that reduce intestinal motility:

rice water;
liquid cereals;
weak chicken broths;
fine-grained low-fat cottage cheese;
vegetable puree;
jelly from berries and fruits.

For constipation, on the contrary, you need to consume more fiber, but also continue to drink plenty of fluids. Reduced portions of food eaten help to activate the work of the intestines in case of difficulty in defecation. For easy digestion, it should have a temperature of 38-40 degrees and be crushed as much as possible. Useful for constipation are:

buckwheat, barley, wheat and oatmeal;
fresh vegetables;
greens;
apples, plums, kiwi;
rich vegetable soups;
kefir, sour cream, yogurt, curdled milk.

Prevention

The key to gastrointestinal health is a balanced diet. It is recommended to eat every day at the same time so that the digestive juices are released synchronously. Food should be distributed evenly between all meals. To avoid constipation, you can not eat dry food - you need to drink enough water every day. The optimal food temperature is not too different from room temperature. In this case, the food will not irritate the mucous membrane of the digestive tract. Other preventive measures:

rejection of bad habits;
maintaining normal weight;
careful intake of any medications and only in consultation with the doctor;
observe the rules of hygiene;
to live an active lifestyle;
avoid stress and anxiety.

Video

Attention! The information provided in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Did you find an error in the text? Select it, press Ctrl + Enter and we'll fix it!

Discuss

Bowel disease: symptoms and treatment

Everyone has problems with digestion: they got poisoned, overate at a holiday, got nervous. For some reason, disruption of the intestines for the mentality of our nation is considered a delicate problem that they do not like to discuss, and even more so to go to the doctor. But any symptom of a gastrointestinal disorder can indicate both a banal dysbacteriosis and the growth of an oncological tumor. In addition, a diseased intestine increases the chance of catching respiratory infections due to a decrease in local immunity. In time to recognize bowel diseases will help characteristic symptoms.

The intestine as the main immune organ

The length of the large and small intestines is about 6 meters. This most important organ not only performs the function of a food conveyor, but also ensures the normal activity of other internal organs, and also protects the body from pathogenic microorganisms.

After digestion in the stomach, food enters the intestines and is broken down into proteins, fats and carbohydrates, the small intestine is responsible for the absorption of nutrients due to its structure and the presence of specific villi. The intestinal mucosa produces special hormones that have a beneficial effect on the performance of the digestive department. Gastrin, motilin, secretin regulate appetite, vascular tone and even mood.

The immune function of the intestine is of great importance. Scientists have proven that 80% of the body's immunity depends on the full-fledged work of the intestinal department.

Bacteria living in the intestines perform many useful actions:

inhibit the activity of putrefactive microorganisms;
filter heavy metals, toxic substances that enter with food, water and air;
produce acids (formic, acetic, succinic, lactic), without which normal metabolism is impossible;
improve the absorption of essential vitamins and minerals;
reduce the load on the liver;
serve as a kind of protection against pathogenic bacteria;
reduce cholesterol levels and accelerate the metabolism of fats;
increase hemoglobin levels.

Violation of intestinal motility is immediately displayed on the work of the body as a whole. A person notices manifestations of allergies due to insufficient filtration of harmful substances, the body becomes susceptible to infections. As a result of defective metabolism, headaches, deterioration of the skin, hair and nails may occur.

People who have been suffering from constipation, intestinal colic for years, ignoring a visit to a therapist, risk getting more serious diseases.

Symptoms of a diseased intestine and stomach

The intensity and severity of the symptoms of diseases of the intestinal section depends on the degree of the disease, on the part of the intestine (thick or thin). Almost all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are accompanied by pain. The pain can be constant aching, episodic, sharp.

With a disorder of the small intestine, pain in the navel is often present, if the large intestine is affected, then the pain is localized in the groin area on the left or right. Before defecation, pain may radiate to the spine or sacrum.

In addition to various bouts of pain, there are other signs of a diseased intestine:

flatulence (excessive accumulation of gases in the stomach and intestines) - a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, a feeling of heaviness and swelling, after the release of excess air comes relief;
constipation - the absence of bowel movements for more than 48 hours, while the feces are hard and dry, daily emptying also belongs to constipation, but in small quantities;
heartburn - a burning sensation behind the sternum that rises up the entire length of the esophagus (instead of burning, a sensation of a lump, heat, pressure is possible, often occurs with increased acidity);
bloating and rumbling in the stomach;
diarrhea - increased emptying up to 6 times a day with damage to the small intestine, with a disorder of the large intestine even more often;
nausea, belching.

The acute or chronic form of the diseased intestine is accompanied by anemia, swallowing disorder (dysphagia), pain in the anus, the presence of blood, mucus, and pus in the feces. Most often, patients with the above symptoms are diagnosed with:

acute or chronic enteritis;
functional constipation;
irritable bowel syndrome;
ulcerative colitis;
hemorrhoids, inflammation of the large or small intestine;
dysbacteriosis, intestinal infections.

Sometimes intestinal pathology develops asymptomatically and is detected only during instrumental diagnostics.

Learn more about irritable bowel syndrome in the video.

How to determine the pathology of the intestine in appearance?

An experienced doctor is able to preliminarily assume a diagnosis, only externally examining the patient. Judging by the condition of the skin of the face and its color, hair, nails, tongue, it is possible to determine which organ a person is sick with.

The connection between patients with the intestines and the skin of the face is obvious. In the process of food processing, not only useful substances are produced, but also toxic toxins. If the intestinal microflora is disturbed, it cannot cope with its filter function, then the work of the sebaceous glands is disrupted. They become clogged, and harmful bacteria use the sebum-filled areas as a favorable habitat.

After the studies, doctors came to the conclusion that the accumulation of acne in certain places can be interconnected with internal organs:

pimples located on the forehead, wings of the nose, cheeks indicate problems with the intestines;
acne on the temples signal a malfunction of the gallbladder;
acne on the chin can be a sign of a disorder in the genital or gastrointestinal tract;
inflammatory formations on the back speak of intestinal dysbacteriosis, possible problems of the endocrine organs, gynecological pathologies.

An earthy-gray complexion, bluish circles under the eyes are most likely also a manifestation of bowel dysfunction. If, at the same time, a person’s lips are dry, weather-beaten, with cracks and “bites” that do not heal well, then there is a place to be gastritis, an ulcer or other diseases of the digestive tract.

The truth about internal diseases can be easily read by the tongue: if the base of the tongue is covered with a white coating, the mucosa is dotted with deep pits, then this indicates a dysbacteriosis or a violation of the gastrointestinal tract. A greenish coating indicates dysfunction of the duodenum.

In order not to confuse an individual appearance with a disease, it is recommended to consult a doctor if suspicious symptoms are found.

What are the basic principles of treatment?

The treatment regimen for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract depends on the specific case. Intestinal infections and inflammatory processes are treated differently.

Scientists have studied more than 30 viruses and bacteria that can disrupt the digestive system. Infection in the gut usually presents with diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and severe abdominal cramps. The main task in the treatment of such diseases is to help the body overcome the pathogen and prevent dehydration.

Treatment for inflammatory diseases includes:

change in the usual diet - a decrease in fatty foods, fast food, refined foods, the predominance of protein foods, fiber;
taking probiotics and prebiotics - relevant for intestinal dysbacteriosis, beneficial bacteria colonize the microflora and eliminate harmful microorganisms;
the use of sorbents, antispasmodics and antimicrobial agents - is used for colitis, enteritis to relieve pain, unpleasant symptoms (bloating, heartburn).

For constipation, laxatives are prescribed, but their use should be monitored by a specialist in order to prevent the development of dysbacteriosis. With diverticulosis, the doctor will prescribe the patient a diet, antiseptics, antispasmodics and anti-inflammatory drugs. Proctitis is treated with sulfonamides, cleansing enemas, observing bed rest.

The surgical method of treatment is resorted to exclusively according to indications: removal of the appendix, breakthrough of a diverticulum (a small loop in the intestine), intestinal obstruction, benign and malignant tumors.

The effectiveness of the treatment of intestinal diseases depends on a competent diagnosis.

Bowel disease in children

You can encounter intestinal diseases in a child at any age. Some children are born with malformations of the intestines, others acquire inflammatory diseases as they grow older: duodenitis, enteritis, colitis, sigmoiditis, peptic ulcer.

Very often, mothers struggle with dysbacteriosis in newborns and older children. Symptoms of dysbacteriosis are the same as in adults: unstable stool (alternating diarrhea and constipation), paroxysmal pain, rumbling in the abdomen after 2 hours of eating, belching, loss of appetite.

Normalization of microflora in dysbacteriosis in a child is not an easy task.

It is necessary to carefully select products, exclude possible allergen products, ask the pediatrician to prescribe drugs to restore the intestinal microflora.

Crohn's disease (inflammation of the intestinal mucosa) is considered a severe disease. Ulcers form on the walls of the intestines, which, if treatment is ignored, can turn into fistulas. The chair becomes more frequent up to 10 times a day, after eating the child has a stomach ache. Pathology is treated with medications and dietary restrictions: all foods that increase intestinal motility (fatty, spicy, chocolate, coffee) are excluded.

In addition to severe inflammatory diseases, children often become infected with intestinal infections. Poisoning the body is easy to determine:

nausea and vomiting;
diarrhea (loose stools)
dry mouth and pale skin;
bloating, crampy abdominal pain;
sometimes an increase in body temperature.

In the first-aid kit of parents, drugs for poisoning should always be present to provide emergency assistance to the child. It can be Regidron, Enterosgel, Atoxil, Sorbeks.

A solution to prevent dehydration can be made at home: for one liter of boiled water you will need 1 tbsp. l. salt, 2 tbsp. l. sugar and juice of half a lemon.

The main course of treatment will be prescribed by the doctor after determining the causative agent of the intestinal infection.

A balanced diet of a child and proper hygiene are the best protection for children from intestinal diseases that are not associated with congenital anomalies.

What are the methods of prevention?

To avoid problems with the intestines and stomach, you need to follow simple rules of nutrition:

meals should be regular so that digestive activity and juice production are synchronized;
it is desirable to eat 4 times a day in uniform portions;
constant dry food contributes to constipation - the body needs one and a half liters of fluid per day;
food should not be excessively hot or cold, so as not to irritate the intestinal mucosa;
abuse of white bread, fresh pastries, baking provokes heartburn;
cereals, fruits, greens, vegetables rich in fiber activate the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria;
fermented milk products (kefir, cottage cheese, curdled milk, fermented baked milk, sour cream) normalize intestinal motility, eliminate putrefactive processes.

Do not forget about the state of your psyche, because stress, emotional trauma in one way or another affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract. Depressions and fears can lead to functional dyspepsia, irritable bowel syndrome and stomach ulcers.

Treatment with any drugs without the supervision of a specialist is very detrimental to the digestive organs. Antibiotics, antidepressants, hypotension pills, laxatives, psychotropic drugs - this is not the whole list of medicines that cannot be taken without the consent of a doctor.

Of course, the best preventive measure is the rejection of bad habits, which include smoking and alcohol abuse. The child must be taught to keep their hands clean, wash fruits and vegetables before eating, and not to drink tap water. There is no need to rush to extremes, bowel cleansing and fasting cannot be carried out without medical supervision.

Intestinal diseases occupy a large part of all diseases of the digestive organs. We eat fast, cheap and tasty, and then suffer from intestinal colic and indigestion.

Everyone knows that the disease is easier to prevent than to treat it later. Do not turn a blind eye to another bout of nausea, problems with emptying or rumbling in the stomach. Different diseases (far from harmless) have exactly the same symptoms. It is especially necessary to be attentive to people who have a hereditary predisposition to intestinal diseases.

The human intestine does not perform the simple function of a conductor of food mass from the stomach to the anus, but it is an important link in the processing and absorption of essential nutrients into the blood.

Its participation in the synthesis of hormones, components of immunity has been proven. Intestinal diseases are difficult to tolerate, especially in childhood. For many chroniclers, curing the intestines means returning to a working state.

Intestine device

The intestine is a hollow tube of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). A thin part 5–6 m long departs from the stomach, then it passes into 2 m of the large intestine. The division of departments into parts is conditional. But the structure of the wall and the epithelium of the inner layer affects the functions.

The one closest to the stomach receives the processed masses and continues the digestion process. The ducts of the pancreas and gallbladder flow into it. They bring a large set of enzymes to break down food components into amino acids, fatty acids, and glucose.

The main distinguishing features between the small and large intestines are:

in the diameter of the lumen - in the thick one 5–8 cm, the thin one is 2 times narrower;
surgeons distinguish by color - thin intensely pink, thick - gray-ash;
according to the location of muscle fibers - in the wall of the small intestine they are uniform around the entire circumference, in the thick one - they pass only on one side in the form of wide three ribbons;
on the colon there are circular grooves, processes of the omentum with adipose tissue;
if the small intestine provides an active process of absorption through the villi of the mucous membrane, then the process of digestion of food does not occur in the large intestine, only fat-soluble vitamins are absorbed.

Main functions

The small intestine continues to process the food bolus delivered from the stomach. The conditions for absorption here are the most favorable: many folds and villi increase the contact surface, the membrane layer allows only small molecules of amino acids, monosaccharides, mineral salts, vitamins, fatty acids to pass through. The presence of a constant intestinal flora provides the intestines with additional enzymes to break down food particles.

Intestinal motility is provided by irritation of internal receptors by incoming bile, fluid, contractile impulses received through the fibers of the parasympathetic nervous system

Wave-like movements “drive” the contents towards the caecum. Here is a valve that passes the remnants of digested food. Additional absorption of fluid occurs through the appendix. The work of the colon is:

in the excretion of undigested food residues from the body, mainly fiber, substances with a toxic effect (indole, phenol, skatole), creatinine, urea, uric acid;
final digestion with the help of its own enzymes and incoming small intestine enzymes;
production of vitamins B 6 and B 12 , E, K;
with the help of its own microflora, the destruction of pathogenic pathogens;
liquid absorption;
the formation of solid feces from fiber, mucus, bacteria, decaying bile enzymes.

An important point - the process of digestion and transportation of the contents to the anus in the intestine takes place reflexively, does not depend on the will of the person. But of great importance is the diet, the state of excitability of the nervous system. Under stress, there are problems with the intestines, spastic contractions of individual zones.

Causes of diseases of the intestinal tract

Bowel disease occurs for the following reasons:

eating disorders - irregular eating, passion for fatty, fried, spicy foods, drinking carbonated water, alcohol, strong coffee, chips;
non-compliance with hygiene skills for washing hands before eating, processing vegetables and fruits leads to infection with infectious pathogens;
ignoring the rules of culinary processing of products, shelf life, freezing conditions is most often the cause of mass outbreaks of infectious intestinal diseases in children's institutions;
imbalance of the intestinal flora under the influence of drugs (antibiotics, cytostatics);
intestinal dysfunction is caused by impaired innervation in diseases of the nervous system, spinal cord;
bowel function in women is very sensitive to changes in hormonal balance during pregnancy, menopause, and physical inactivity;
have a toxic property: nicotine (in experienced smokers), alcohol, occupational hazards (heavy metal salts, alkalis and acids), poisonous mushrooms, they irritate the mucous membrane, affect the innervation system.

Insufficient motor activity of the patient from childhood contributes to a decrease in peristalsis, atonic constipation

Signs of bowel disease can occur when the production of hormones in the endocrine system fails, as well as active substances with a hormone-like effect (histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, cholecystokinin, pancreozymin). They affect the digestion process and can provoke intestinal diseases.

In modern gastroenterology, great importance is attached to allergic manifestations at the level of the intestine, the destructive effect of one's own immune system.

What are the most common intestinal diseases?

The diseases of the small intestine include the following pathologies. Enteritis - acute and chronic inflammation, which are caused by infectious agents that suppress the normal flora. Violated the production of intestinal enzymes, motility.

Food intolerance - the most common reaction to carbohydrates due to the congenital absence of the necessary enzymes in the patient's body (cane sugar, milk, mushrooms). With lactose deficiency, intestinal problems occur on any dairy products.

Vascular diseases - violations of blood flow through the supply vessels are associated with atherosclerotic process, thromboembolism of the mesenteric artery, therefore, elderly patients suffer from them.

Usually there is a combination with myocardial ischemia, damage to the vessels of the brain, legs. Due to oxygen deficiency, areas of ischemia are formed, the diseased intestine reacts with attacks called "abdominal toad".

Tumors in the small intestine are rare. Benign neoplasms predominate; when transformed into cancer, lymphoma and carcinoma are detected. It belongs to rare diseases. Caused by corynobacteria. In addition to the intestines, lymphatic vessels, nodes are affected, joints suffer.

Allergic reactions can manifest themselves at the level of the intestinal mucosa, this is due to food allergens, the negative property of drugs. Diseases of the large intestine are more often associated with inflammation (colitis) and neoplasms. Most significant:

Ulcerative colitis - starts in the rectum and spreads higher. Manifested by ulceration and bleeding.
Ischemic - occurs in the elderly, is associated with impaired blood supply in atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, thrombophlebitis, varicose veins. Inflamed part of the intestine with malnutrition.
Pseudomembranous - caused by the reproduction of clostridia and the suppression of beneficial flora. It occurs with prolonged use of laxatives, treatment with antibiotics, cytostatics. Pathogens secrete toxins that destroy the mucous membrane and form plaques (pseudomembranes) on the surface.

The reason has not yet been established

Malignant tumors are 5 times more likely to affect the descending section (75% of tumors) of the large intestine. Grow in the intestinal lumen. The frequency increases in persons after 40 years of age and in the case of a hereditary predisposition. They have a long asymptomatic course.

Irritable bowel syndrome - bowel dysfunction associated with dysmotility. May develop with others. Diverticula - formations from stretched sections of the wall in the form of a "bag", more often localized in the descending and sigmoid colon, accompanied by chronic constipation. When stagnant and infected, they become inflamed (diverticulitis).

Of the anomalies in the structure of the large intestine, the following are revealed:

dolichosigma - characterized by lengthening of the sigmoid colon;
megacolon - forms a thickening (hypertrophy) of the walls in sections or along the entire length.

A symptom of the disease are chronic constipation.

The mechanism of development of major intestinal disorders

Consider the mechanism of the origin of the symptoms of intestinal diseases according to the most significant syndromes.

Enteral insufficiency syndrome

It is formed by a decrease in the activity of the microflora of the small intestine, the process of absorption, the synthesis of hormones and immunoglobulins, and a lack of enzymes. The result is a violation of the processes of hydrolysis, absorption, unprocessed food masses accumulate in the intestinal cavity.

Fatigue is also caused by intestinal problems.

Common symptoms include:

weight loss with normal or increased appetite;
the appearance of irritability, unstable mood;
dryness and peeling of the skin;
muscle atrophy, edema;
anemia;
hypovitaminosis.

colitis syndrome

Describes damage to the large intestine. It is caused by inflammatory, ulcerative-necrotic diseases, impaired peristalsis, dysbacteriosis. Characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, false urges (tenesmus). More often they are disturbed when running, shaking in transport, in the morning, after defecation.

Impaired motor skills are manifested:

Dynamic intestinal obstruction - increasing pain in the abdomen, flatulence, vomiting, retention of gases and feces. Differs in type (spastic and paralytic).
Dyskinesia - manifested by impaired tone, peristalsis, increased gas formation, patients complain that "the intestines do not work."

bleeding syndrome

The most common causes of bleeding from the intestines are: peptic ulcer (stomach and duodenal ulcer), erosive gastritis, tumors, dilated veins of the esophagus, ulcerative colitis, hemorrhoids, rare pathologies (Mallory-Weiss syndrome, thromboembolism of mesenteric vessels.

Clinically, the symptoms of bowel disease are manifested by common signs: weakness, tinnitus, dizziness, tachycardia, low blood pressure, blanching of the skin, chilling, sticky cold sweat. With significant acute blood loss, a state of shock develops.

Vomiting blood is typical for bleeding from the esophagus, stomach, duodenum. In this case, more often the blood binds with hydrochloric acid and forms brown hydrochloric hematin, the type of vomiting is called "coffee grounds".

With intestinal bleeding, peristalsis is stimulated, the patient causes black liquid stools (tarry).

Symptoms of bleeding from bowel problems in the lower colon and rectum look like streaks and clots on top of the stool. Hemorrhoidal blood in the form of drops covers the feces, can be excreted without defecation.

Intestinal dyspepsia syndrome

Signs of dyspepsia are: flatulence, rumbling and pain in the abdomen without precise localization, alternating diarrhea and constipation. They accompany intestinal diseases (enterocolitis, tumors), may appear with damage to the liver, stomach, pancreas. Symptoms do not depend on the time of eating.

How are bowel diseases diagnosed?

A person faces the problem of what to do when the stomach hurts, the stool is disturbed, the temperature rises. A variety of symptoms of bowel diseases does not allow to determine the cause of the pathology immediately upon examination, rectal examination, so the doctor prescribes an examination.

Mandatory general tests help to identify the consequences of the disease: anemia, inflammatory reaction (leukocytosis, increased ESR), allergic sensitivity (eosinophilia).

Coprological examination of feces is necessary to determine the nature of the violation of food digestion.

With inflammation, leukocytes are detected, an increased content of mucus

A positive fecal occult blood test raises suspicion of an ulcerative process even in the absence of visible signs of bleeding. Determination of the intestinal flora is important for the diagnosis of dysbacteriosis. When examining for intestinal infections, feces are taken for a full bacteriological analysis. Identifying the type of pathogen is important for deciding how to treat the intestines.

At the appropriate clinic, tests for helminthiasis (scraping, smear) are prescribed.

X-ray examination using barium suspension remains relevant in medical institutions. Allows you to identify gastritis by disturbed folds, examine the duodenum, suspect dyskinesia and intestinal tumors. Irrigoscopy - filling the large intestine through an enema with subsequent images is used in the diagnosis of neoplasms, malformations, fistulous tracts.

Significance of modern hardware research

The initial section of the small intestine (duodenum) can be visually examined during the esophagoduodeno-gastroscopic examination. Endoscopic technique also allows you to take material for cytological analysis and conduct morphological diagnosis of a suspicious area of the epithelium.

The use of a special video capsule is the most informative and painless method. The patient swallows a capsule equipped with a video camera. The video recording is recorded by a special device attached to the patient's body.

The procedure takes about 8 hours. The patient can go about his business. Subsequently, the capsule dissolves and is excreted in the feces. Research is expensive. Capsules are produced in Japan and Israel.

The capsule passes through all parts of the gastrointestinal tract, takes pictures every 2 seconds

Endoscopic methods - consist in the introduction of an ultrasonic sensor into the cleaned intestine. The walls are examined along the entire length of the intestine. It is possible to take material for histology. Colonoscopy is carried out with a special device called a fibrocolonoscope. It is a soft probe with an optical system.

Oncologists recommend a study for the purpose of prevention for people over 40 years old, especially with a hereditary predisposition. Because of the possible discomfort and pain, doctors prefer to do the procedure under anesthesia. The method is used to treat intestinal diseases such as polyps, adhesions. The duration of the procedure is up to 40 minutes. The patient receives the result immediately.

Magnetic resonance and computed tomography are considered the most accurate of the external methods. Not accompanied by radiation exposure, painless.

Treatment for bowel problems

In the treatment of intestinal diseases, diet and reasonable lifestyle changes are always used. A sick person needs to stop smoking and drinking alcohol, learn how to relieve stress or change their attitude to nervous situations, walk more, do special exercises that normalize peristalsis, and conduct self-massage of the abdomen.

Diet food

Patients with lactose deficiency should not consume milk and milk products. On the labels, you should choose lactose-free products. If necessary, take the finished preparation from the enzyme in a dragee before meals.

General nutritional requirements are:

eating 5-6 times a day in small portions;
exclusion of fried foods, fatty meat, canned food, semi-finished products;
the use of the steam method of cooking, boiling and stewing;
vegetables and fruits are recommended depending on the acidity of the stomach, the motor function of the intestine - with an increase, sweet varieties of apples, pumpkin are needed, with a decrease - sour varieties, plums, watermelon, melon;
you can not use legumes, cabbage, nuts due to bloating;
from confectionery products, cakes, pastries, chocolate are prohibited, you can eat crackers, biscuits, bagels;
cereal casseroles, liquid porridges from rice, buckwheat, oatmeal are shown;
hated chicken broth, vegetable broth is suitable for soup;
meat dishes should be boiled, during an exacerbation they scroll through a meat grinder and cook meatballs, meatballs;
juices can be drunk half diluted with water, you should avoid grapes and juice from it, be careful with citrus fruits.

Treatment of the intestines with medicines

Each case requires an individual approach to therapy. The main groups of drugs used in intestinal pathology:

In severe cases, drugs are administered only by injection.

In case of tumor processes, courses of chemotherapy are prescribed in combination with radiation. Unsuccessful therapy, bleeding, bowel disintegration are an indication for surgical treatment. There are diseases that are treated only with the help of surgery.

The main goal is to resect the area with the tumor within the optimal limits to prevent recurrence. In difficult cases, colon surgery is performed in 2 stages. First, the tumor is removed and an intestinal stoma is formed for the colostomy bag. Then the fistula is removed and plastic surgery of the intestinal junction is performed.

Folk remedies

Apply the advice of healers with caution. Herbs also have a different effect on the secretory function of the intestine. The most safe: honey in the morning, washed down with water, decoctions of wild rose, chamomile, flaxseed. For a direct effect on the lower intestines, medicinal enemas with sea buckthorn oil, oat decoction are shown.

Only compliance with the rules of hygiene, healthy eating and regular checks make it possible to prevent severe bowel diseases. You can not endure unpleasant symptoms, pain for a long time. By seeking medical help, a person gets a chance to maintain health.

The intestine is the part of the digestive system where the final absorption of nutrients into the blood takes place. The intestine consists of two segments: the small intestine and the large intestine. The small intestine is mainly involved in the process of digestion of food, while the large intestine absorbs water and forms feces from undigested food residues.

Keep in mind!

A huge number of microorganisms live in the human intestine. Most of the "population" are beneficial microbes, they are called beneficial microflora. It protects the intestines from dangerous (pathogenic) and not very dangerous (conditionally pathogenic) microbes. Useful microflora is involved in the formation of immunity, the production of B vitamins, vitamin K and many essential amino acids, maintains metabolic processes at the proper level, partially breaks down proteins, fats, carbohydrates.

If the normal composition of the microflora changes and there are fewer beneficial microbes, the state of health worsens. Skin problems appear, the work of the stomach and intestines is disturbed, viral diseases become more frequent. Doctors call this complex of symptoms dysbacteriosis. Improper nutrition, certain diseases, stress, as well as taking antibiotics can become an impetus for its development.

There are two ways to cope with dysbacteriosis: “throw” beneficial microbes into the intestines or create comfortable conditions for the growth of your own microorganisms. For this, probiotics and prebiotics are used. The first are beneficial bacteria, similar to those that inhabit our intestines. The second are dietary fibers, which are food for beneficial microorganisms.

You can get these substances from food. So, there are probiotics in “live” kefir and yogurt, and there are a lot of dietary fibers in bran, vegetables and fruits, greens, whole grains. However, often this is not enough, and you need to support the body with the help of drugs or dietary supplements.

Test yourself

One of the most common bowel problems is delayed emptying, or constipation. The norm in relation to the frequency of stool is an individual concept. If you have it once or twice a day - fine, if once every two days and at the same time the process of emptying the intestines is comfortable, without straining, - you also don’t have to worry. But, if more infrequent visits to the toilet have entered the system, it is necessary to find out the cause and begin to take action.

By the way

Constipation can be associated not only with dietary errors, but also with a sedentary lifestyle. The lack of movement reduces the tone of the abdominal muscles, which, as it were, massage the intestines, stimulating its peristalsis. The tone of the intestine itself also decreases. Not surprisingly, people who spend most of the day in an office chair or on the couch watching TV suffer from constipation 2-3 times more often than those who move a lot.

Try to walk more, sign up for a pool if possible.

Diet

Sometimes, to adjust the chair, you just need to adjust the diet.

Include in the menu bread with bran, from wholemeal flour. From vegetables and fruits, pay attention to cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, beets, spinach, zucchini, legumes, grapes, tangerines, oranges, figs, dates, nuts, apples, prunes, melons, peaches, pumpkin.

Intestinal peristalsis is enhanced by sour acidophilic milk, curdled milk, one-two-day kefir, koumiss, kvass, sour cabbage soup, vegetable and butter.

Drink more fluids - up to two to three liters per day (unless there are contraindications, such as hypertension or kidney problems).

Refuse cocoa, rice, white bread, chocolate, black coffee, strong tea for a while: they have astringent properties.

Do not abuse refined foods: white bread, polished rice, pasta made from premium flour. There is practically no fiber in such products, which “works” in the intestines, like a brush, allowing all waste substances to be removed from it in a timely manner.

To the doctor!

Constipation can be accompanied by various diseases of the digestive system: peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, chronic colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic cholecystitis, hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, benign and malignant tumors in the intestine.

Seek immediate medical attention if stool retention is accompanied by symptoms such as:

cramping pain in the abdomen;
increase in body temperature;
nausea, vomiting;
blood in the stool or a change in its color to black;
pain in the anus;
alternating episodes of constipation with episodes of diarrhea;
noticeable weight loss.

Preparations

Remember, self-medication is life-threatening, consult a doctor for advice on the use of any medications.