How long does it take for enteritis to recover?

Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

Updated on September 28, 2024

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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 Hu Qi Feng

Pediatrics

41sec

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What to do about enteritis in a one-year-old baby

Most cases of enteritis are due to viral infections. The principles of treatment primarily involve diet adjustment, prevention and correction of dehydration, rational use of medication and enhanced nursing care, and preventing complications such as dehydration. Treatment of diarrhea varies with different stages; during the acute phase, it is important to maintain a balance of water and electrolytes, while prolonged and chronic diarrhea requires attention to intestinal flora imbalance and dietary adjustments. A minority of diarrhea cases are caused by bacterial infections, and if there is clear evidence of bacterial infection, appropriate antimicrobial drugs should be used.

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

1min 53sec

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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 Li Ying

Gastroenterology

1min 32sec

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Is enteritis prone to recurrence?

Enteritis is primarily a disease of the intestines, with a higher incidence in autumn and summer, predominantly manifesting as acute enteritis during these times. The incubation period ranges from 12 to 36 hours, and the main symptoms may cause the patient to experience diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. There is also chronic enteritis, which occurs more slowly and causes repeated episodes of abdominal pain over a long period, including diarrhea and various degrees of indigestion. Changes can also be observed in the stool, which may be watery or mucus-laden. Patients with mild diarrhea might defecate three to four times a day. There might be alternating episodes of constipation and diarrhea. In severe cases, patients might experience bowel movements once every one to two hours, or even suffer from severe fecal incontinence. Sometimes, the stool might contain a large amount of mucus and possibly pus and blood, or even fresh blood, which necessitates ruling out other diseases. If enteritis is well-managed, it can be a long time before a recurrence, but if the treatment is not thoroughly standardized, enteritis is likely to recur.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin

Gastroenterology

54sec

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What are the symptoms of enteritis?

Enteritis is mostly caused by bacterial or viral infections, with typical symptoms being abdominal pain and diarrhea. The bacterial or viral infection causes congestion and edema of the mucous membrane in the intestines, leading to a reduced function in digesting and absorbing food. If the bacteria or virus is particularly virulent, it can damage the intestinal mucosa and cause bloody stools. Enteritis is a common characteristic of many diseases, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and infectious diarrhea. Clinically, the treatment mainly involves the use of antibiotics and medications to stabilize the intestines and stop diarrhea. Prolonged diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which requires timely rehydration. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wang Zhen Quan

Colorectal Surgery Department

1min 17sec

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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.