Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases | Pain intestine

Chronic inflammatory intestinal diseases

Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are very often accompanied by pain caused by the inflamed bowel wall. Those affected often suffer from diarrhea, which can also be noticeable in ulcerative colitis in particular due to the presence of mucus and blood. In ulcerative colitis, the colon is particularly affected.

The inflammation progresses from distal to proximal, i.e. from back to front, without skipping intestinal segments. In contrast, Crohn’s disease spreads discontinuously and mainly affects the lower part of the small intestine and parts of the colon. In addition, Crohn’s disease often develops fistulas and abscesses, which often have to be surgically resected. In addition to abdominal pain and diarrhea, patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease often suffer from loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting and weight loss. The diseases usually progress in phases and are mainly treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressive agents.

Invagination

Invagination refers to the invagination of one section of the intestine into another. This results in the relocation of the intestinal lumen and the intestinal passage is interrupted (ileus). Invaginations occur mainly in infancy and cause severe abdominal pain and vomiting.

The children are usually completely healthy before. In affected babies, the intussusception often manifests itself by shrill screaming and tightening of the legs. The doctor can often feel a hardening in the abdomen (roll) at the appropriate place.

In many cases, the intussusception can be dissolved by an enema and the intestine can be brought back into its original position. However, children often develop a new intussusception afterwards. If the intussusception cannot be resolved by an enema, reduction must be performed surgically, otherwise the blood supply to the affected intestinal segment is compromised and life-threatening complications may develop secondarily (bacterial peritonitis with multiorgan failure).

Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually causes no or only unspecific symptoms. Over 90% of malignant colorectal tumors develop in the large intestine (colorectal carcinomas). The average age at first diagnosis is currently around 65 years, with men being affected slightly more frequently than women.

Once the tumor has reached a certain size, it can cause more specific symptoms. Typically, blood in the stool and a change in stool behaviour occurs, e.g. very narrow chairs (pencil chairs) throughout. In addition, flatulence, intestinal cramps, diarrhoea or constipation may occur.If the tumor obstructs the intestinal lumen, so that normal intestinal passage is no longer ensured, a secondary intestinal obstruction (ileus) with the associated symptoms can develop, which can lead to multi-organ failure.

In principle, the tumor can also break through the intestinal wall in an advanced stage and lead to the emptying of the intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. This can lead to inflammation of the peritoneum. Patients experience severe abdominal pain when the abdominal wall is patched, which is also very hardened and tense.