regional enteritis

enteritis

[en″tĕ-ri´tis] inflammation of the intestine, especially the small intestine, a general condition that can be produced by a variety of causes. Bacteria and certain viruses may infect the intestinal tract and produce symptoms of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Similar effects may result from poisonous foods such as mushrooms and berries, or from a harmful chemical present in food or drink. Enteritis may also be the consequence of overeating or alcoholic excesses.
Rest and bland diet are generally prescribed. In cases of bacterial infection antibiotics may be helpful. Severe dehydration, which may accompany enteritis, is treated with replacement of lost fluids and electrolytes. See also diarrhea; elimination, altered" >bowel elimination, altered; and volume" >deficient fluid volume.membranous enteritis (mucomembranous enteritis) (mucous enteritis) mucous colitis.enteritis necro´ticans an inflammation of the intestines due to Clostridium perfringens type F, characterized by necrosis.phlegmonous enteritis a condition with symptoms resembling those of peritonitis, which may be secondary to other intestinal diseases, e.g., chronic obstruction, strangulated hernia, carcinoma.enteritis polypo´sa enteritis marked by polypoid growths in the intestine, due to proliferation of the connective tissue.regional enteritis Crohn's disease.

re·gion·al en·ter·i·tis

a subacute chronic enteritis, of unknown cause, involving the terminal ileum and less frequently other parts of the gastrointestinal tract; characterized by patchy deep ulcers that may cause fistulae, and by narrowing and thickening of the bowel by fibrosis and lymphocytic infiltration, with noncaseating tuberculoid granulomas that also may be found in regional lymph nodes; symptoms include fever, diarrhea, cramping abdominal pain, and weight loss. Synonym(s): chronic cicatrizing enteritis, Crohn disease, distal ileitis, regional ileitis, terminal ileitis, granulomatous enteritis