What are the symptoms of chronic gastroenteritis?
In general, symptoms of chronic gastroenteritis include diarrhea, abdominal pain, indigestion, weight loss, anemia, etc. If these problems occur, it is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly. The details are as follows:
1. Diarrhea
Diarrhea may be caused by damaged intestinal mucosa, inflammation, or intestinal functional disorders. Patients may experience increased frequency of bowel movements, loose stools, or watery stools. In severe cases, mucus or pus and blood may even be present.
2. Abdominal Pain
Abdominal pain is also a common symptom of chronic gastroenteritis. The pain is usually located in the upper abdomen or around the navel and may manifest as dull pain, aching, or cramping. It may be related to damaged gastric mucosa, inflammation, or gastric spasms.
3. Indigestion
Indigestion is a common symptom in patients with chronic gastroenteritis, presenting as decreased appetite, post-meal fullness, acid reflux, nausea, etc. These symptoms may result from gastric dysfunction, causing food to remain in the stomach for prolonged periods and making digestion and absorption difficult.
4. Weight Loss
Patients with chronic gastroenteritis may experience weight loss. This could be due to reduced energy intake caused by poor appetite, vomiting, or diarrhea, coupled with increased energy expenditure.
5. Anemia
Some patients with chronic gastroenteritis may develop anemia, particularly those with autoimmune gastritis. Anemia may arise from mucosal erosion or bleeding caused by damaged gastric mucosa, inflammation, or ulcers, leading to reduced hemoglobin levels.
If these symptoms occur, medications such as mesalazine enteric-coated tablets, omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, or citric acid bismuth potassium granules may be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. In daily diet, it is important to avoid spicy, irritating, raw, cold, or hard foods, and instead focus on light, easily digestible meals.