Catarrhal colitis of the intestine( superficial, chronic): what is this, how to treat?

1 Types and causes of

Doctors distinguish between acute and chronic catarrhal colitis of the intestine. The main causes of the disease:

• infections of the intestine;
• use of drugs that irritate the mucosa;
• poor-quality food and frequent use of alcoholic, carbonated drinks.

The mucosa of the intestine has the properties for a long time to withstand negative factors. With systematic, prolonged irritation with medicinal preparations, reproduction of pathogenic bacteria under ideal conditions( moisture, heat), the protective properties of the intestinal mucosa decrease and, as a consequence, the onset of the disease.

Acute colitis develops due to intestinal infections, food poisoning, as a manifestation of allergy and intolerance to medicines, with poor nutrition, frequent stress. May occur due to common infectious diseases( influenza, acute respiratory infections, measles).Sometimes the disease can be caused by violations of hygiene and sanitation.

Chronic colitis occurs due to dysbiosis, pancreatitis, severe intestinal infections, parasitic invasions( worms).Poisoning, malnutrition, abuse of certain medicinal products( antibiotics), untimely treatment of diseases of the digestive system also contribute to the development of catarrhal colitis.

2 Symptoms of the disease

Catarrhal colitis is one of the forms of the disease of the digestive tract. Superficial colitis is characterized by edema and reddening of the intestinal mucosa with an abundant release of purulent fluid.

The acute course of the disease begins suddenly, manifested by the following symptoms:

• nausea;
• with vomiting;
• cramping abdominal pain;
• temperature increase;
• diarrhea.

Patients often complain of general weakness, a sharp deterioration in well-being. Diarrhea and vomiting - a protective reaction of the body, which thus tries to get rid of toxic substances. Such a course of the disease can last from several days to weeks, turning into a chronic form.

Chronic catarrhal colitis is characterized by:

• alternating diarrhea with constipation;
• abdominal pain( mainly the lower part);
• accumulation of gases, rumbling.

Pain is often aching, worse after eating. Patients report rapid fatigue.

When diagnosing colitis, the gastroenterologist primarily takes into account the manifestation of symptoms in the patient, prescribes laboratory tests( general clinical and biochemical blood tests, feces for the presence of helminth eggs).The exact method of assessing the state of the intestine is a colonoscopy.

For a number of symptoms, colitis is similar to such diseases as irritable bowel syndrome, enteritis, inflammation of the liver and pancreas. Based on the examination, these analyzes and accurate diagnosis, the specialist prescribes treatment.

3 Treatment and prevention of

There is a correlation between diseases of the thick and thin sections. For example, with rectal infection, the disease spreads to the areas above and vice versa. This must be taken into account in the process of therapy of pathology.

Treatment of colitis includes:

1. Fasting for 1-2 days, then - a strict diet until the symptoms disappear. Contraindicated fried, marinated, fatty foods, sweet dishes, canned food, alcohol. Bread, vegetables and fruits in the diet are introduced as the patient's condition improves. Food is consumed often( up to 6 times a day) in small portions. Recommended products that sparing the intestinal mucosa: lean broths, stewed vegetables, steamed meatballs and meatballs, jelly, rice and oatmeal, rubbed cottage cheese.
2. You need such a plentiful drink, like slightly boiled tea, mineral water without gas, boiled water with salt and sugar added. This contributes to the replenishment of lost body fluids.
3. For severe pain, prescribe antispasmodics( No-shpa, Revalgin).For a quick effect, it is better to inject them intramuscularly.
4. Application of enterosorbents( Activated Carbon, Polyphepan, Smecta) - to reduce exposure to toxic substances.
5. The use of enzyme preparations( Pancreatin, Festal, Pansinorm) - stimulate, improve the digestive process.
6. Application of coating agents( Almagel, Fosfalugel).This method of treatment helps to relieve inflammation, reduce pain.
7. Anthelminthic drugs are indicated in colitis caused by helminthic invasion.
8. To normalize the beneficial microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, probiotics( Bifidumbacterin, Linex) are used.
9. For colitis caused by infection, antibacterial and sulfanilamide preparations are prescribed, previously a test is conducted for the sensitivity of microorganisms to them.
10. Physiotherapy - massage, acupuncture, compresses - is indicated only in a hospital or under the supervision of a medical specialist.

Treatment with folk methods includes the use of infusions and decoctions of herbs. To reduce gassing and putrefactive processes, it helps the infusion of motherwort, mint and nettle taken in equal amounts.

Prevention of catarrhal colitis consists of the following factors:

• proper nutrition;
• timely treatment of acute intestinal diseases;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle;
• compliance with personal hygiene;
• treatment of diseases of the oral cavity, teeth;
• when working in hazardous conditions, observance of safety measures.

Active lifestyle, refusal of alcohol, periodic examination by a doctor serve as a guarantee of the absence of problems associated with abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract.