Jejunitis

From Food & Medicine Encyclopedia

Jejunitis[edit]

Diagram of the small intestine, highlighting the jejunum.

Jejunitis is an inflammation of the jejunum, which is the middle section of the small intestine. This condition can lead to various gastrointestinal symptoms and may be associated with other inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract.

Anatomy of the Jejunum[edit]

The jejunum is the second part of the small intestine, situated between the duodenum and the ileum. It is approximately 2.5 meters long and is responsible for the absorption of nutrients from digested food. The inner surface of the jejunum is lined with villi, which increase the surface area for absorption.

Causes of Jejunitis[edit]

Jejunitis can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Infections: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections can lead to inflammation of the jejunum.
  • Autoimmune disorders: Conditions such as Crohn's disease can cause chronic inflammation of the jejunum.
  • Ischemia: Reduced blood flow to the jejunum can result in inflammation and damage.
  • Radiation therapy: Exposure to radiation in the abdominal area can lead to jejunitis.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of jejunitis can vary depending on the underlying cause but often include:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Bloating
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Malabsorption of nutrients

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosing jejunitis typically involves a combination of:

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for jejunitis depends on the underlying cause:

  • Antibiotics: For bacterial infections.
  • Corticosteroids: To reduce inflammation in autoimmune conditions.
  • Dietary modifications: To manage symptoms and ensure adequate nutrition.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove damaged sections of the jejunum.

Related Pages[edit]

Health science - Medicine - Gastroenterology - edit
Diseases of the esophagus - stomach
Halitosis | Nausea | Vomiting | GERD | Achalasia | Esophageal cancer | Esophageal varices | Peptic ulcer | Abdominal pain | Stomach cancer | Functional dyspepsia | Gastroparesis
Diseases of the liver - pancreas - gallbladder - biliary tree
Hepatitis | Cirrhosis | NASH | PBC | PSC | Budd-Chiari | Hepatocellular carcinoma | Acute pancreatitis | Chronic pancreatitis | Pancreatic cancer | Gallstones | Cholecystitis
Diseases of the small intestine
Peptic ulcer | Intussusception | Malabsorption (e.g. Coeliac, lactose intolerance, fructose malabsorptionWhipple's) | Lymphoma
Diseases of the colon
Diarrhea | Appendicitis | Diverticulitis | Diverticulosis | IBD (Crohn'sUlcerative colitis) | IBS | Constipation | Colorectal cancer | Hirschsprung's | Pseudomembranous colitis

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