Gastrointestinal inflammation can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramping, and diarrhea. It can be caused by infections, autoimmune conditions, and diseases. Treatment options include antibiotics, steroids, and surgery, as well as dietary modifications and complementary medicine. Chronic cases may require repeated follow-ups and procedures.
Gastrointestinal inflammation is an immune response in the digestive tract that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramping and diarrhea. A doctor may use a specific diagnostic term such as colitis, referring to inflammation in the intestines, to discuss a patient’s case. There are a number of reasons patients experience this common medical problem. The tests can explore some possible explanations and help the doctor develop some treatment recommendations to help the patient solve the problem. These can involve an assortment of options including medications, lifestyle modifications and complementary medicine such as acupuncture or massage.
Some examples of inflammation can include gastritis, esophagitis and colitis, all named for different parts of the digestive tract. In the affected area, a large number of white blood cells are present to counteract a perceived threat to the body. They can cause swelling, redness, tenderness and irritation, while extreme inflammation can form lesions that can bleed. Patients with gastrointestinal inflammation may notice symptoms such as mucus and blood in the stool, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, and abdominal discomfort.
Infections can be a potential cause. When microorganisms move, the immune system responds by sending white blood cells and chemicals into the area to kill or contain them. This response persists until the infection resolves, which can take days or weeks, unless the patient receives treatment to address it more quickly. Other patients may develop autoimmune conditions in which the body begins to attack itself, treating its own cells as a threat.
Some diseases can cause gastrointestinal inflammation as a potential side effect. People with acid reflux, for example, often develop inflammation in the esophagus caused by chronic irritation with stomach acid. Genetic conditions can interfere with the production of mucus, enzymes and other components of the digestive tract, which can also contribute to the development of pain and irritation. Symptoms may appear shortly after birth as the baby’s digestive tract struggles to adjust.
Treatment options for gastrointestinal inflammation may include antibiotics to kill infectious organisms, steroids to manage immune responses, and probiotic medications to aid digestion. Some patients may require surgery to remove severely damaged tissue. This condition can become chronic, in which case the patient may need repeated follow-ups, surgeries, and other procedures to monitor them and provide timely treatment when new symptoms occur. Management tools such as dietary modifications may also be considered to control outbreaks of GI inflammation and keep the patient as comfortable as possible.
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