Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine, caused by bacterial or viral diseases. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and bloating. Chronic enteritis can result from conditions like Crohn’s or celiac disease. Treatment varies depending on the cause, and may include antibiotics or diet modification.
Enteritis refers to swelling and irritation of the small intestine. This part of the intestine connects the colon or large intestine to the stomach and is divided into three sections, called the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum. Irritation can occur in any or all of the sections and is most frequently caused by bacterial or viral disease. Long-term bloating that isn’t caused by infection is called chronic enteritis and can result from conditions that affect the intestinal tract, such as Crohn’s disease or celiac disease.
A doctor may suspect enteritis when a patient experiences abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and abdominal bloating due to excess gas. Occasionally, bowel movements are black, signifying internal bleeding. This fourth symptom, called hematochezia, can be misdiagnosed if the patient has been taking medications that naturally turn stool black for several days.
Surprisingly, this condition is not associated with nausea or vomiting. When an upset stomach is present, along with the four main symptoms, the condition is referred to as gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis can have exactly the same causes, but cause slightly different symptoms.
Most cases are caused by viral diseases. These cases also tend to have symptoms such as minor fever and usually resolve within a few days. Viral diseases tend to require rest and adequate fluid intake to restore the patient to health. Any illness that causes diarrhea should be treated by increasing the patient’s water and other fluid intake to prevent dehydration.
The bacteria responsible for enteritis usually enter the body through improperly prepared foods. The common bacteria responsible for this condition are salmonella, listeria and E. coli. When more than one person gets sick after eating the same food from the same source, bacteria is usually suspected. When symptoms last for more than two days, patients should see a healthcare professional, as E. coli and listeria can both cause serious complications. Treatment is usually antibiotics and careful checkups to rule out complications.
Chronic enteritis can be caused by various conditions affecting the intestinal tract, and treatment varies depending on the cause. Some forms may result from exposure to parasites, for example, and extensive cases of travelers’ diarrhea and/or drinking water from streams are generally considered possible causes. These are diagnosed by evaluating stool samples and can only be treated by taking antiparasitic medications.
Other causes of chronic intestinal irritation are conditions that may require complex treatments. Crohn’s disease, for example, can affect the entire intestinal tract and may require surgery to reduce inflammation. Celiac disease, on the other hand, is a persistent inability to digest the gluten present in wheat flour. Usually, diet modification can control this condition.
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