ENTERITIS


(ENTERITIS is compiled from Stedman's Medical Dictionary(for meanings), Symptom Diagnosis, Different Repertories, and Materia Medica's)

1. Enteritis:

Inflammation of the intestine, especially of the small intestine.

2. Chronic cicatrizing enteritis : regional enteritis

3. Diphtheritic enteritis:

Enteritis with the formation of a membrane or a false membrane. See Also: pseudomembranous enterocolitis.

4. Enteritis anaphylactica:

A hemorrhagic and necrotizing inflammation developing in the ileum (and also the colon) of sensitized dogs when they are fed a second dose of the sensitizing material. Syn: chronic anaphylaxis.

5. Enteritis necroticans:

Enteritis with necrosis of the bowel wall caused by Clostridium welchii

6. Enteritis polyposa:

Enteritis associated with polyp formation.

7. Granulomatous enteritis : regional enteritis

8. Human eosinophilic enteritis:

Segmental eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in humans; suspect etiologic agent is Ancylostoma caninum; laboratory indicators are eosinophilia and increased IgE.

9. Mucomembranous enteritis :

An affection of the intestinal mucous membrane characterized by constipation or diarrhea (sometimes alternating), colic, and the passage of pseudomembranous shreds or incomplete casts of the intestine. Syn: mucoenteritis (2).

10. Phlegmonous enteritis:

Severe acute inflammation of the intestine, with edematous bowel wall infiltrated with pus.

11. Pseudomembranous enterocolitis:

Enterocolitis with the formation and passage of pseudomembranous material in the stools; occurs most commonly as a sequel to antibiotic therapy; caused by a necrolytic exotoxin made by Clostridium difficile. Syn: pseudomembranous colitis, pseudomembranous enteritis.

12. Regional enteritis:

A subacute chronic enteritis, of unknown cause, involving the terminal ileum and less frequently other parts of the gastrointestinal tract; characterized by patchy deep ulcers that may cause fistulas, and narrowing and thickening of the bowel by fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, with noncaseating tuberculoid granulomas that also may be found in regional lymph nodes; symptoms include fever, diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain, and weight loss. Syn: Crohn disease, chronic cicatrizing enteritis, granulomatous enteritis, distal ileitis

13. Tuberculous enteritis:

Enteric tuberculosis may be caused by bovine tuberculosis contracted through drinking of unpasteurized milk or swallowing of tubercle bacilli expectorated from cavitary lesions in the lung; may occur in the absence of obvious pulmonary t.

ENTERITIS

Enteritis is inflammation of the small intestine.

Causes

Enteritis is usually caused by eating or drinking substances that are contaminated with bacteria or viruses. The germs settle in the small intestine and cause inflammation and swelling, which may lead to abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea, fever, and dehydration.

Enteritis may also be caused by:

· An autoimmune condition such as Crohn's disease

· Certain drugs, including ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and cocaine

· Damage from radiation therapy

The inflammation can also involve the stomach (gastritis) and large intestine (colitis).

Risk factors include recent family illness with intestinal symptoms, recent travel, or exposure to untreated or contaminated water.

Types of enteritis include:

· Bacterial gastroenteritis

· Campylobacter enteritis

· E. coli enteritis

· Food poisoning

· Radiation enteritis

· Salmonella enteritis

· Shigella enteritis

· Staph aureus food poisoning

Symptoms

The symptoms may begin hours to days after you become infected. Symptoms may include:

· Abdominal pain

· Diarrhea - acute and severe

· Loss of appetite

· Vomiting - rare

Exams and Tests

A stool culture may be done to determine the specific type of infection, however, this test may not always identify the bacteria causing the illness.

Treatment

Mild cases usually need no treatment.

Antidiarrheal medication may delay the organism from leaving the digestive tract, and therefore may not be recommended.

Rehydration with electrolyte solutions may be necessary if dehydration occurs.

Persons with diarrhea (especially young children) who are unable to drink fluids because of nausea may need medical care and fluids through a vein ( intravenous fluids) .

If you take diuretics and develop diarrhea, you may need to stop taking the diuretic during the acute episode. Do not stop taking any medicine unless told to do so by your health care provider.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Symptoms usually go away without treatment in a few days.

Possible Complications

· Dehydration

· Prolonged diarrhea

Note: The diarrhea can cause rapid and extreme dehydration in babies.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

· Dehydration develops

· Diarrhea does not go away in 3 to 4 days

· You have a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit

· There is blood in the stools

Prevention

· Always wash hands after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food or drink. You may also clean your hands with a 60% alcohol based product.

· Avoid drinking from unknown sources, such as streams and outdoor wells, without boiling the water first.

· Use only clean utensils for eating or handling foods, especially when handling eggs and poultry.

· Cook food completely and properly.

· Store food appropriately in coolers.

SYMPTOM (DIFFERENTIAL) DIAGNOSIS

Enteritis (regional)

1. Constipation chronic:

Regional enteritis (Regional Ileitis): characteristics: In the late stage signs of chronic intestinal obstruction occur.

Chief signs: Fever, diarrboea(two to five stools a day, containg mucus, pus, and blood); palpable mass in right lower quadrant or lower midabdomen; chronicity; loss of weight; finally signs of intestinal obstruction and formation of external fistulous tracts; x-ray.

2. Diarrhea chronic:

Regional Ileitis (Regional Enteritis; crohn’s disease): Characteristics: Many cases have a diarrhea of two to six large stools daily which are watery, mushy, or semisolid, usually without visible evidence of blood or pus.

Chief signs: Usually an insidious onset; cramping or colicky abdominal pain (peri-umbilical or right lower quadrant); afternoon fever; presence of fistulas (perirectal abscess, fistula in ano, abdominal wall); general debility; emotional disturbances; may be a mass in the lower abdomen; abdominal distention; anemia, slight or moderate leukocytosis, elevated sedimentation rate; x-ray; laparotomy.

3. Iliac and inguinal region pain:

Regional enteritis (crohn’s disease): Characteristics: Persistent pain, localized tenderness, and even signs of peritoneal irritation in the right lower quadrant are present in acute terminal ileitis. In the chronic cicatrizing variety of ileitis and in diffuse ileojejunitis or ileocolitis, while the pain is most often periumbilical, it may sometimes be localized to the right lower quadrant.

Chief signs: Anorexia; weakness; weight loss; periodic attacks of diarrhea with mucus and blood in the stools; variable fever; abdominal distention; occasionally vomiting; may be a palpable lump, usually in the right lower quadrant; right lower quadrant tenderness; may be anal abscess or fistula; x-ray (small bowel study, string sign).

4. Umbilicial region pain:

Regional enteritis (Regional Ileitis): characteristics:In chronic cicatrizing ileitis diffuse ileojejunitis, or ileocolitis the pain is most commonly periumbilical; it is cramp like or wave like, worse one to two hours after eating and is followed or some what relieved by bowel movements. Late in the disease it may be diffuse, being caused by entercolic fistulas.

Chief signs: Fever, diarrboea(two to five stools a day, containg mucus, pus, and blood); palpable mass in right lower quadrant or lower midabdomen; chronicity; loss of weight; finally signs of intestinal obstruction and formation of external fistulous tracts; x-ray.

REPERTORY

KENT

[Kent ] [Abdomen]Inflammation (peritonitis,enteritis,etc.):

Acon., Ant-t, Apis., Ars., Bell., Bry., Colch., Hyos., Lach., Laur., Lyc., Phos., Pyrog., Rhus-t., Ter., Acet-ac., Arn., Bapt., Cact., Calc., Canth., Carb-v., Cham., Coloc., Crot-c., Crot-h., Echi., Ferr., Gels., Ip., Kali-c., Kali-chl., Kali-n., Merc., Merc-c., Mez., Nux-v., Op., Ox-ac., Puls., Sec., Sil., Sulph., Uran., vat., Verat-v., and many other drugs.

W. BOERICKE

[Boericke ] [Abdomen]Diarrhoea, enteritis:Acute:

Acon., Aeth., Aloe., Alst-c., Ant-c., Apis., Arg-n., Arn., Ars., Asaf., Bapt., Bell., Bism., Bry., Calc., Calc-p., Camph., Canth., Caps., Carb-ac., Carb-v., Cham., Chel., Chin-ar., Cinch., Corn., Crot-t., Cupr-acet., Cycl., Dulc., Elat., Eucal., Euph-c., Gamb., Gels., Grat., Ip., Iris., Jatr., Kali-bi., Mag-c., Merc-d., Nat-s., Nuph., Nux-v., Op., Petr., Ph-ac., Phos., Podo., Prun., Puls., Rheum., Rhust-c., Rumx., Sec., Sep., Sil., Sulph., Thuj., Verat., and many other drugs.

[Boericke ] [Abdomen]Diarrhoea, enteritis:Chronic:

Arg-n., Ars., Calc., Chap., Cinch., Coto., Cupr-acet., Ferr., Graph., Iod., Kali-bi., Liat., Merc., Nat-s., Ph-ac., Phos., Podo., Sulph., Thuj., and many other drugs.

BOENNING

[Boenning ] [Stool]Diarrhoea:Chronic:

Calc., Graph., Phos., Sulph., Abrot., Ars., Ip., Kreos., Nit-ac., Petr., Rhus-t., Sil., Ferr., Nux-m., Ph-ac., and other drugs.

BOGER

[Boger ] [Stool]Diarrhoea:Chronic:

Sulph., Ars., Calc., Phos.

PHATAK

[Phatak ] [Phatak A-Z]Diarrhoea:Chronic:

Sulph., Ars., Calc., Nat-m., Petr., Phos., Psor., Sil., Tub.

W.BOERICKE MATERICA MEDICA

ARG-NIT

Stomach.

BELCHING accompanies most gastric ailments. Nausea, retching, vomiting of glairy mucus. Flatulence; PAINFUL SWELLING OF PIT. Painful spot over stomach that radiates to all parts of the abdomen. Gnawing ulcerating pain; burning and constriction. Ineffectual effort at eructation. GREAT CRAVING FOR SWEATS. Gastritis of drunkards. Ulcerative pain in left side under ribs. Trembling and throbbing in stomach. Enormous distention. Ulceration of stomach, WITH RADIATING PAIN. Desire for cheese and salt.

Abdomen.

Colic, WITH MUCH FLATULENT DISTENTION. Stitchy ulcerative pain on left side of stomach, below short ribs.

Stool.

Watery, noisy, flatulent; GREEN, LIKE CHOPPED SPINACH, with shreddy mucus and enormous distention of abdomen; very offensive. Diarrhoea immediately after eating or drinking. FLUIDS GO RIGHT THROUGH HIM; after sweets. After any emotion with flatulence. Itching of anus.

GAMBOGIA

General.

The use of this drug in Homeopathy has been confined to its action on the alimentary tract. It produces a diarrhoea very similar to Croton. From its pathogenesis, it is very evident that it has very intense and definite action especially on the gastroenteric tract.

Stomach.

Feeling of coldness at edge of teeth. Great irritability of the stomach; burning, smarting, and dryness of the tongue and throat. Pain in the stomach after food. Tenderness in epigastrium. Pain and distention of abdomen from flatulence, after stool. RUMBLING AND ROLLING. Dysentery, with retained scybala, with pain in sacral region. Diarrhoea, with SUDDEN AND FORCIBLE EJECTION OF bilious stools. TENESMUS AFTER, WITH BURNING AT ANUS. Ileoceacal region sensitive to pressure. Profuse, watery diarrhoea in hot weather, particularly old people. Pain in coccyx.

JATROPHA

General.

Of value in cholera and diarrhoea. The abdominal symptoms are mot important. Suppressed measles (H. Farrington).

Stomach.

Hiccough, followed by copious vomiting. Nausea and vomiting, brought on by drinking, with acrid feeling from throat. Great thirst. VERY EASY VOMITING. Heat and burning in stomach, with crampy, constrictive pain in epigastrium.

Abdomen.

Distended, with gurgling noises. Pain in hypochondria. Pain in region of liver and under right scapula to shoulder. Violent urging to urinate.

Stool.

Sudden, profuse, watery, like rice-water. DIARRHOEA; FORCED DISCHARGE; LOUD NOISE IN ABDOMEN LIKE GURGLING OF WATER COMING OUT OF A BUNG-HOLE, associated with coldness, cramps, nausea, and vomiting.

CUPRUM ARS

Abdomen.

Gastroenteritis. Violent abdominal pain. Diarrhoea in phthisis. Cholera. (ARS.; VERAT.; CAMPH.) Rumbling and sharp cutting pain. Dark liquid stools.

CROTON-TIG

Stool.

Copious watery stools, with much urging; ALWAYS FORCIBLY SHOT OUT, with gurgling in intestines; worse, drinking the least quantity, or even while eating. Constant urging to stool, followed by sudden evacuation. Swishing sensation in intestines.

MAG-CARB

General.

Gastrointestinal catarrh, with marked acidity.

Abdomen.

Rumbling, gurgling. Dragging towards pelvis. VERY HEAVY; contractive, pinching pain in right iliac region.

Stool.

Preceded by griping, colicky pain. GREEN, WATERY, FROTHY, LIKE A FROG-POND'S SCUM. Bloody mucous stools. MILK PASSES UNDIGESTED IN NURSING CHILDREN. SOUR, with tenesmus (RHEUM.) Constipation after mental shock or severe nervous strain.

OPIUM

Abdomen.

Hard, bloated, tympanitic. Lead colic. During colic, urging to stool and discharge of hard faeces.

Stool.

Obstinate constipation; no desire to go to stool. ROUND, HARD, BLACK BALLS. Faeces protrude and recede. (THUS.; SIL.) Spasmodic retention of faeces in small intestines. Stools involuntary, black, offensive, frothy. Violent pain in rectum, as if pressed asunder.

THUJA OCCIDENTALIS

General.

Acts on skin, blood, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and brain.

Abdomen.

Distended; indurations in abdomen. Chronic diarrhoea, worse after breakfast. Discharges forcibly expelled; gurgling sound. Brown spots. FLATULENCE AND DISTENTION; PROTRUDING HERE AND THERE. Rumbling and colic. Constipation, with violent rectal pain, causing stool to recede. (SIL.; SANIC.) Piles swollen; pain worse sitting, with stitching, burning pains at the anus. Anus fissured; painful to touch, with warts. MOVEMENTS AS OF SOMETHING LIVING. (CROCUS), without pain.

ARS-ALB(FARRINGTON)

The most important sites for the Arsenicum inflammations are the stomach and bowels primarily, and next to these the heart. The inflammation in the stomach and bowels may vary from slight irritation to the most destructive gastritis enteritis. The mouth is dry, the tongue white as whitewashed, or in some cases with irritable stomach, the tongue is red with raised papillae. There is very distressing heartburn. Sometimes burning in the stomach like coals of fire is associated with the diarrhoea. The stools are undigested, slimy and bloody, and are attended with violent tenesmus and burning in the rectum. It this goes on, the stools become brownish or blackish, and horribly offensive, showing that it is indicated in most serious cases of enteritis and dysentery.

BELLADONNA(FARRINGTON)

This symptom sometimes occurs in lead colic. Then, too, we find Belladonna indicated in diarrhoea. It is particularly suited to a dysenteric diarrhoea, that is, a diarrhoea from cold with enteritis, the discharges being associated with considerable tenesmus(for you must remember that Belladonna has great affinity for sphincter muscles), the discharges being slimy and bloody.

LACHESIS(FARRINGTON)

Belladona, Lachesis, Rhus-tox, and Baptisia constitute a group serviceable in peritonitis, enteritis, etc.

RHUS-TOX(FARRINGTON)

In other abdominal inflammations assuming a typhoid type, Rhus may be indicated, as I have already said, whether the affection be peritonitis, enteritis, typhlitis, perityphilitis, or metritis. In diseases of the puerperal state, Rhus is a capital remedy when the symptoms are of a typhoid type.

PODOPHYLLUM(LILIENTHES)

Enteritis affecting the jejunum and ileum; fullness in right hypochondrium, with flatulence, pain and soreness, frequent but transient abdominal pains, with sensation of heat there; alternate constipation and diarrhoea.

EUPHORBIUM OFFICINARUM(LILIENTHES)

Gangrene following gastritis or enteritis, temperature continually falling; inflammation and swelling, followed by cold gangrene; great torpor; insensibility of parts affected; chilliness and shuddering over whole body; gangraena senilis.

GELSIMIUM SEMPERVIRENS(LILIENTHES)

Passive congestion of liver, bilious diarrhoea and relaxed gall ducts; flatulence in stomach with eructations from want of elasticity in muscular fibres; jaundice with prostration; clay-colored stools; acute catarrhal enteritis during damp, warm or cold weather; soreness of abdominal walls; vertigo, dim sight and fullness of head.

APIS MELLIFICA(LILIENTHES)

Distressing aching soreness of abdomen which will tolerate no pressure, or sudden knife like stabs through abdomen; urine scanty, dark, albuminous; absence of thirst or drinks little and often; oedematous puffing of face; sleepy, but cannot sleep from nervousness and fidgetiness. In severe cases, combined with enteritis, patient passes thin yellow stool with every motion of the body, as if anus and rectum were paralyzed. Sudden shrill cry in children from cerebral irritation.

CALCAREA IODATA(MATHUR)

Enteritis and entero-colitis of tubercular, emaciated children after attack of cholera infantum. Flatulent dyspepsia. Cholera infantum followed by enteritis of enterocolitis, Glands enlarged or indurated. Mesenteric glands.

ACONITE(MEDICAL ADVANCE)

In the early stages of enteritis mucosa of young children, it is a valuable remedy, and if it does not control the disease, it doubtless modifies its future course, both in severity and duration. Its use should be continued for several days, and if used low, at first, higher attenuations should be tried before changing to another drug.

VERATRUM-ALB(P): Enteritis with high fever.

HYDRASTIS (G.ROYAL): Chronic enteritis with feces covered by mucus.

BRYONIA (G.ROYAL): The extreme soreness, thirst, coated tongue, high temperature call for Bryonia in peritonitis, enteritis, typhylitis, etc.

MERCURIUS(G.ROYAL): It has served me for catarrhal enteritis with cutting, tearing pains and discharge of mucus with slight tenesmus; for appendicitis after the acute symptoms have subsided and you have tenderness in the region, with stools of blood, mucus and soft fecal matter.

PHOSPHORUS(G.ROYAL): Phosphorus is useful for chronic enteritis with diarrhoea as the ranking symptom of the group. The stools are often painless (China) worse in hot weather, cold drink and urging whenever the feces enter the rectum.