Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesTypesSymptomsSide EffectsPreventionTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Types
Symptoms
Side Effects
Prevention
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Ben-Schonewille / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Some causes of enteritis are:
The type of enteritis will depend on the cause of the inflammation. The more common reasons include food poisoning and radiation enteritis.
Infectious Enteritis (Food Poisoning)
Food poisoningthat occurs after eating or drinking food that’s been contaminated with a virus or a bacterium can cause enteritis.
PrevalenceThere are an estimated 48 million cases of food poisoning in the United States every year.
Prevalence
There are an estimated 48 million cases of food poisoning in the United States every year.
Food could be contaminated if it isn’t cooked or stored properly. Food poisoning can also occur when food comes into contact with water or utensils that are not washed properly after being contaminated with a virus or a bacterium, such asClostridium perfringens.
Radiation Enteritis
Radiation therapy treats various forms of cancer. High doses of radiation are directed at cancer cells to shrink or kill them and to stop the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body.
The risk of havingradiation enteritisincreases with higher doses of radiation, a large treatment area, previous abdominal surgery, or having a diagnosis ofdiabetes(chronic condition affecting how your body uses blood sugar, or glucose) orhypertension(high blood pressure). Having radiation on a large portion of the intestines is also thought to increase the risk.
PrevalenceFor those who have radiation treatment in the abdomen or pelvis, up to 90% will experience a change in their bowel habits.It’s estimated that about 15% will have chronic issues.
For those who have radiation treatment in the abdomen or pelvis, up to 90% will experience a change in their bowel habits.It’s estimated that about 15% will have chronic issues.
Radiation therapy for cancers that occur in the pelvis, abdomen, or colon may cause radiation enteritis. This is usually an acute (short-term) issue, but it can become a chronic (long-term) problem.
The symptoms of acute enteritis can include:
If radiation enteritis becomes chronic, it could also lead to signs and symptoms of:
Sometimes the symptoms of enteritis can lead to complications both inside and outside the digestive system.
Anemia
There are several different types ofanemia, and it has many causes.Anemiais when the blood lacks healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to the body’s cells.
In some cases of enteritis, bleeding in the intestines can be a problem. The bleeding may be enough to cause anemia.
Symptoms of anemia can include:
Treating anemia might include taking iron or vitamin supplements or, in more severe cases, intravenous iron or ablood transfusion.
Dehydration
Having diarrhea (watery stools) can lead todehydration.Dehydrationis when too much fluid is lost from the body (such as through diarrhea and/or vomiting) and isn’t replaced through drinking.
The symptoms of dehydration can include:
Partial Bowel Obstruction
One of the potentially more serious complications of enteritis is bowel obstruction. An obstruction is when the intestine starts to close on itself, which is called a stricture. As the intestine narrows, food and stool can’t move through it freely and it may become blocked.
Bowel obstructions might be partial or total. In some cases, enteritis is discovered because an obstruction is occurring. Partial obstructions might be treated conservatively with bowel decompression (a tube inserted through the nose and suction applied for a few days).Others might need surgery to resolve.
For radiation enteritis, the team that provides the treatment will take steps to prevent it. Using the lowest dose possible on the smallest amount of abdomen is important in prevention. Having a full bladder during treatments might also help, as well as more technical aspects that the radiology team will put into place.
To avoid enteritis from food poisoning, it’s important to:
How to Prevent Salmonella
Treatment for radiation enteritis is usually focused on the symptoms. Diarrhea might be treated with antidiarrheal medications. Fluids and nutrition may be given through intravenous (IV) lines in the case of dehydration or malnutrition. Other types of medications such as anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, or steroids might also be used.
In acute cases of radiation enteritis, the inner layer of the small intestine might return to normal over time, which could take about six months.
Medications that slow down diarrhea may also be recommended. It’s important to talk to a healthcare provider before using them. If there is blood in the stool or there is a bacterial infection, an antidiarrheal medication might not be helpful.
When to Get Immediate CareSee a healthcare provider right away for symptoms such as:Blood in the stoolDiarrhea that won’t stopDizziness or faintingLethargy or extreme fatigueSevere or sudden abdominal painVomiting that won’t stop
When to Get Immediate Care
See a healthcare provider right away for symptoms such as:Blood in the stoolDiarrhea that won’t stopDizziness or faintingLethargy or extreme fatigueSevere or sudden abdominal painVomiting that won’t stop
See a healthcare provider right away for symptoms such as:
Summary
Enteritis is when the small intestine becomes irritated and inflamed. This can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and blood in the stool, among other symptoms. Treatment may include dietary changes, medications, and taking in more fluids.
A Word From Verywell
Enteritis causes a lot of uncomfortable symptoms. Avoiding the germs that cause infection is something that needs special attention when cooking and handling food and when traveling.
Radiation enteritis might be more difficult to avoid for people who have certain types of cancer, but steps can be taken to try to lessen the effects of the radiation. Talking with a healthcare provider about the symptoms, especially blood in the stool, is important in understanding the cause and getting treatment.
Yes. Enteritis from an infection may go away on its own with only home treatments. In the case of radiation enteritis, most cases are treatable. Some people may develop chronic enteritis, which may persist and need more intensive treatment.
Blood and stool tests may be used to confirm or rule out enteritis from an infection. However, food poisoning is often diagnosed based on the symptoms.When symptoms become concerning, it might be necessary to do testing to see what is causing them. Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) which uses X-rays for a detailed image, or magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE) which uses magnetic fields might be helpful.Endoscopy, using a thin, flexible tube with a camera and a light on the end to see the inside of the digestive system, might also be used. A test in which patients swallow a pill with a camera in it, called small bowel capsule endoscopy, is also sometimes used to make a diagnosis.
Blood and stool tests may be used to confirm or rule out enteritis from an infection. However, food poisoning is often diagnosed based on the symptoms.
When symptoms become concerning, it might be necessary to do testing to see what is causing them. Imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) which uses X-rays for a detailed image, or magnetic resonance enteroclysis (MRE) which uses magnetic fields might be helpful.
Endoscopy, using a thin, flexible tube with a camera and a light on the end to see the inside of the digestive system, might also be used. A test in which patients swallow a pill with a camera in it, called small bowel capsule endoscopy, is also sometimes used to make a diagnosis.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Food and Drug Administration.Foodborne illness: What you need to know.
Hale MF.Radiation enteritis: from diagnosis to management.Curr Opin Gastroenterol.2020;36(3):208-214. doi:10.1097/MOG.0000000000000632.
Lu L, Li W, Chen L, et al.Radiation-induced intestinal damage: latest molecular and clinical developments.Future Oncol. 2019;15(35):4105-4118. doi:10.2217/fon-2019-0416.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Anemia.
MedlinePlus.Dehydration.
Ludovic L, Carmen F, Arnaud A, Benjamin M.Radiation enteritis: Diagnostic and therapeutic issues.J Visc Surg. 2020;157(6):475-485. doi:10.1016/j.jviscsurg.2020.08.012.
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