How to treat enteritis?

Written by Li Ying
Gastroenterology
Updated on February 02, 2025
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Patients with enteritis mainly suffer from a series of symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, etc., due to viral and bacterial infections. Severe cases can lead to dehydration. Therefore, while providing symptomatic and etiological treatments, it is crucial to pay attention to dietary adjustments. This involves eating less irritating food and avoiding raw and cold foods, including contaminated water and uncooked fruits and vegetables, which should be thoroughly heated. Additionally, it's important to avoid uncooked eggs, meat, poultry, and other such foods, as well as cold foods, spicy peppers, strong tea, coffee, etc. Moreover, quitting smoking and alcohol is essential, as alcohol can particularly aggravate the intestines. It is also important to develop good dietary and lifestyle habits.

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How to treat enteritis diarrhea?

Patients with enteritis who experience diarrhea should generally use drugs that reduce intestinal motility and secretions. For instance, small doses of drugs like atropine and probenecidine can be used to ease intestinal movement, achieving pain relief and stopping diarrhea. Chlorpromazine can also be used, which has a sedative effect, and can inhibit the excessive secretion of intestinal mucosa caused by intestinal toxins, thus reducing the frequency and volume of stool. Naturally, these medications should be used under the correct guidance of a doctor and should not be purchased and used without prescription. Moreover, during diarrhea, it is important to pay attention to nutritional replenishment and to appropriately reduce dietary fiber for easier digestion. It may be beneficial to include liquid diets rich in micronutrients such as folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. Avoid milk and dairy products as well. Severe cases require immediate medical attention. Typically, food should be withheld during the first few days of the illness, and nutrients can be supplemented intravenously to give the intestines a temporary rest.

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What are the symptoms of enteritis?

Enteritis is divided into acute enteritis and chronic enteritis. The main symptoms of acute enteritis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, etc., and blood tests may show an increase in white blood cells and neutrophils. The treatment mainly focuses on anti-inflammatory drugs, hydration, and antidiarrheal therapies. Generally, recovery can be achieved within a week. The main symptoms of chronic enteritis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. Colonoscopy can reveal changes in the intestinal mucosa such as hyperemia, edema, erosion, and mucus attachment, which can diagnose chronic enteritis. In terms of treatment, Western medicine primarily involves the oral administration of probiotics to adjust the gut microbiota. It can also be combined with traditional Chinese medicine based on syndrome differentiation. Integrating Chinese and Western medicine can enhance treatment effectiveness. Additionally, the diet should primarily consist of light and easily digestible foods.

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Can enteritis cause constipation?

Ulcerative colitis often presents with alternating symptoms of constipation and diarrhea. Generally, colitis is characterized more by diarrhea, with fewer symptoms of constipation. What we commonly encounter in daily life is acute gastroenteritis, which frequently occurs suddenly, presenting with sudden diarrhea and abdominal pain, and in severe cases, watery stools. Most cases are due to irregular eating habits or consuming contaminated food. It is important to promptly rehydrate, choose sensitive antibiotics, rest adequately, and maintain a light diet with attention to food hygiene.

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How many days can acute enteritis be cured?

Acute gastroenteritis is primarily characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, and sometimes accompanied by fever. It is mainly caused by exposure to cold or unhygienic food consumption. Gastroenteritis caused by exposure to cold, also known as a "stomach cold," generally follows a natural course of about a week and can be fully cured with symptomatic treatment. Infectious diarrhea caused by bacterial infections should be comprehensively assessed based on specific symptoms and the severity of the disease. For general cases of enteritis, recovery can usually occur within a day or two, or two to three days after administering antibiotics orally or intravenously. Bacterial dysentery, however, typically presents with more severe symptoms and requires a longer treatment period, generally needing at least a week or even longer. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Can you drink alcohol with enteritis?

Can patients with enteritis drink alcohol? Patients with acute enteritis must abstain from alcohol during the illness. For those with chronic enteritis, it is also advisable to control their alcohol consumption, trying to drink less or even not at all. This is because alcohol can easily irritate the gastrointestinal tract, damage the mucous membrane of the gut, and further affect the digestive and absorption functions of the stomach and intestines. This can exacerbate the condition of enteritis and pose greater risks to health. Additionally, it is also important to avoid other spicy and irritating foods, as well as cold, hard substances. Drinking less strong tea and consuming more bland, warm, and soft foods can help with digestion.