Enteritis – What is it, Causes and Treatments!
Enteritis – What is it, Causes and Treatments of this Intestine Inflammation. In addition, enteritis can also involve the stomach (gastritis) and large intestine (colitis). There are several types of Enteritis . Also known as Crohn’s disease , Enteritis is a disease that affects the gastrointestinal region, which can go from the patient’s mouth to the anus region, but can also affect other parts of the body, such as skin, gallbladder, bone.
The most common types of Enteritis are:
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- liver, among others.
- viral or bacterial infection
- radiation induced
- induced medication
- Alcohol or drug induced
- Enteritis related to poor blood flow
- Enteritis related to inflammatory diseases, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
Causes of Enteritis: The most common causes are infections , coming mainly from the direct action of viruses, bacteria, and parasites, but also from the ingestion of toxins incontaminated food . But there are less common causes, such as:
- Food allergy
- Malabsorption syndrome (inability to digest certain foods )
- Intolerance to some foods
- hyperthyroidism
- alcohol abuse
- Medicines
- Radiation
- Inflammatory bowel diseases
- Diabetes.
Enteritis Symptoms: Enteritis symptoms canstart anywhere from a few hours to a few days after infection . Symptoms can include:
- diarrhea
- nausea and vomit
- loss of appetite
- Cramping and abdominal pain
- Pain, bleeding, or mucous discharge from the rectum
- fever
Enteritis Treatments: Mild cases of enteritis usually clear up within a few days. They do not require medical treatment. People with diarrhea should replenish their fluids. If you can’t get enough fluids, your doctor may recommend rehydration with electrolyte solutions.
These solutions are mainly made up of water and the essential electrolytes are: sodium (salt) and potassium. In severe cases, intravenous fluids, medications, or hospitalization may be required.
If you have radiation enteritis , you may need changes to your radiation therapy. You may even need to stop the radiation entirely. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to cut out the part of the intestine that was damaged.
How to Prevent Enteritis:
Practicing good personal hygiene and safe food handling can help reduce your chances of developing Infectious Enteritis .
Hygiene:
- Always wash your hands with soap and water when available.
- Always wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom.
- Wash your hands before and after preparing food or drinks.
- Wash your hands before each meal.
- When traveling or away from running water, keep blades handy. Sixty percent alcohol-based products are better.
- Do not drink from outdoor wells or other water sources without boiling the water first.
Food preparation:
- Avoid cross contamination. Use clean utensils for each task.
- Keep foods separate. For example, keep raw poultry away from lettuce.
- Wash kitchen surfaces frequently.
Cooking:
- Cook all food to the correct temperature. Use a food thermometer .
- Beef, pork, and lamb must be cooked to a minimum internal temperature of 63°C (145°F).
- Dried meats should be cooked to a minimum of 160°F (71°C).
- Poultry must reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
storing:
- Refrigerate leftovers promptly.
- Set your refrigerator to 40˚F (4˚C) or lower.
- Set your freezer to 0˚F (-17°C) or lower.
- Be aware of expiration dates on fresh foods .
Additional Precautions:
- Be careful with medications like NSAIDs, aspirin and oral steroids.
- Avoid smoking and excessive use of alcohol.
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Note: If you have a condition associated with an increased risk of enteritis , speak to your doctor and take your
medications as directed by your doctor.