Symptoms of acute enteritis

Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
Updated on September 06, 2024
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What are the symptoms of acute enteritis? The symptoms of acute enteritis can manifest in terms of gastrointestinal symptoms and systemic symptoms. The most common symptom in the gastrointestinal tract is diarrhea, which is the main symptom, varying in intensity, typically occurring several times a day or even more than 10 times. The stools are often yellowish watery diarrhea and may include mucous or bloody stools. In severe cases, it can also contain pus and blood. The second symptom is abdominal pain: The location of the abdominal pain is usually around the navel, and if the colon is affected, there can be pain on both sides of the abdomen. Abdominal pain can also be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Severe pain is generally caused by intestinal spasms, often accompanied by different degrees of abdominal tenderness. Other gastrointestinal symptoms include vomiting, nausea, or discomfort in the upper abdomen. Systemic symptoms: Generally, the body temperature of patients with enteritis is normal; however, if caused by an invasive pathogen or virus, there can be moderate fever. If high fever occurs, it should be distinguished from other diseases. Additionally, acute enteritis can also accompany symptoms like dizziness, headache, and weakness in limbs, among other signs of systemic infection. Frequent vomiting or severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, disruption of acid-base balance, and in severe cases, a drop in blood pressure or even shock.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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What to eat for enteritis?

For patients with enteritis, it is good to eat foods that help improve nutritional status and the intestinal environment. Generally, a high-protein, high-calorie diet is recommended. Additionally, foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and trace elements should be provided, especially those containing vitamin C, vitamin B, and rich in iron, to replenish energy. The food should be easy to digest, soft in texture, low in residue, and non-irritating. Low-residue foods can reduce intestinal motility, alleviating diarrhea, and include foods like eggs, fine noodles, and soft rice porridge. For staple foods and legumes: our main foods generally consist of refined grains such as rice porridge and noodles, avoiding coarse grains and appropriately including soy products like soy milk and tofu. For choices of meat, eggs, and dairy: lean meats, chicken, fish, etc., are generally recommended. For vegetables and fruits: vegetables, fruit juices should be chosen, and it is advisable to avoid foods high in fiber.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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What department should I go to for enteritis?

Many friends with poor gastrointestinal health feel confused when seeking medical treatment. When registering, we are not sure which department to visit. We describe enteritis as an inflammatory disease, primarily including specific inflammations or non-specific ones caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, etc., such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and others. There are also localized types of enteritis, which can be divided into acute and chronic based on the duration of the illness. For example, acute enteritis can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, while chronic can mainly manifest as constipation and other symptoms, with some patients also experiencing fever and a sense of urgency followed by straining. Therefore, the treatment methods for enteritis vary. During medical consultations, it is generally recommended for patients to visit the department of gastroenterology as it falls under the category of gastrointestinal diseases. Of course, the proctology department is also an option, and a portion of the cases can be correctly diagnosed and treated in proctology.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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What should I do about acute enteritis?

What should be done if one suffers from acute gastroenteritis? In general treatment, the first step is to eliminate the cause, discarding some unclean food that led to the illness; Secondly, rest appropriately according to the condition, with bed rest for severe cases; Thirdly, patients with severe vomiting and diarrhea should temporarily fast, and gradually introduce some light, easy-to-digest foods as the condition improves; Fourthly, it is advocated to use oral rehydration and salt supplementation to replenish the body fluids lost due to vomiting and diarrhea. Fifthly, keep the abdomen moderately warm; record the frequency and characteristics of the stool; accurately record the amount of urine, paying attention to these aspects. In terms of medication treatment: This includes controlling intra- and extra-intestinal infections and medications that protect the gastric mucosa, as well as treatments involving microecological preparations. The third aspect is to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalance: during the initial stages of diarrhea, at home, one can use some rice soup, or add a bit of sugar and salt, alternating with plain water and sugar to prevent dehydration. For mild or moderate dehydration, if the patient does not have vomiting or abdominal distension, oral rehydration solutions may be sufficient. In cases of severe dehydration or when the overall condition is poor, indicating potassium, sodium, chloride electrolyte imbalances, and acidosis, intravenous fluid therapy in a hospital is necessary. It is also important to note that both oral rehydration solutions and oral medications should be used correctly under the guidance of a doctor, and should not be taken without professional advice.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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How long does it take for enteritis to recover?

Some patients may ask how long it will take for their enteritis to heal. Actually, the recovery time varies depending on each patient's physical condition and the severity of the disease. For some, recovery may take only a few days, while for others it may take several years, and some may even need to take medication for life. Conditions such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, which are types of inflammatory bowel disease, require long-term medication for several years or more. Of course, routine care is also quite important for the recovery from enteritis. Patients should be cautious with their diet, avoiding spicy, irritating, cold, and spoiled foods, among others. Additionally, regular physical exercise is very important for patients. By enhancing their own immunity and other aspects, they can strengthen their resistance to diseases and thus promote recovery; this plays a significant role in the recovery time from the disease.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
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Is it useful to take probiotics for enteritis?

Some patients may ask if probiotics are useful for enteritis. A large number of studies have shown that dysbiosis of the gut microbiota can cause enteritis, and patients with enteritis generally experience a disruption of the gut microbiota, especially those who have had the condition for a longer period, often have this situation of gut microbiota imbalance. Therefore, appropriately taking probiotics should be beneficial for the recovery of the gut, because probiotics inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut, adhere to the intestinal mucosa to form a protective layer, and prevent attacks on the intestinal mucosa by harmful microbiomes. Additionally, probiotics can produce various enzymes involved in the digestion of food in the gut and other physiological processes; moreover, probiotics can also regulate the activity of immune factors in the gut, enhancing intestinal immunity. Thus, probiotics play a very positive role in preventing and treating symptoms that arise from enteritis. However, patients with enteritis also need to supplement appropriate probiotics under the guidance of a doctor, choosing probiotics that meet the different needs of different individuals to improve related symptoms.