What department should I go to for enteritis?

Written by Wang Zhen Quan
Colorectal Surgery Department
Updated on September 21, 2024
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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 Jiang Guo Ming
Gastroenterology
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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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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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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 Li Ying
Gastroenterology
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How is enteritis treated?

Gastroenteritis can generally be divided into viral gastroenteritis and bacterial gastroenteritis. In terms of treatment, the first is pathogen treatment, and the second is symptomatic treatment. For pathogen treatment, it is best to choose antibacterial drugs based on the type of bacteria for bacterial gastroenteritis; however, viral gastroenteritis generally does not require pathogen treatment, and most patients can recover on their own. For symptomatic treatment, since gastroenteritis may cause symptoms such as dehydration and vomiting, it is necessary to timely provide fluid replenishment to the patients to prevent mild dehydration.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What to do with infant enteritis?

When an infant has enteritis and frequently diarrhea, it is essential to treat this condition. First, you should administer appropriate anti-inflammatory medication. Additionally, medications that stop diarrhea and regulate intestinal flora are needed. If the infant has numerous bouts of diarrhea, followed by reduced urine output or cries without tears, it indicates dehydration. In such cases, it's important to replenish fluids, possibly through oral rehydration salts. If the infant shows significant restlessness or cries without any tears at all, or if there is a noticeable decrease in urine output, fluid replenishment therapy is necessary.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Symptoms of newborn enteritis

Neonatal enteritis can present with diarrhea and bloody stools, initially as watery stools, and in severe cases, may appear as bloody stools, resembling fresh blood, jam-like consistency, and black feces. The affected infants often exhibit vomiting, with the vomitus appearing coffee-colored or containing bile. Neonatal enteritis can also present with abdominal distension, or reduced bowel sounds, initially characterized by delayed gastric emptying and gastric retention, followed by abdominal bloating. In severe cases, the abdomen may become drum-like with diminished or even absent bowel sounds. Enteritis may also be accompanied by systemic symptoms, often presenting as poor responsiveness, lethargy, refusal to eat, and in severe cases, pale or grayish complexion, cold limbs, shock, acidosis, and worsening jaundice.