Duodenitis

Duodenitis is an inflammation of the beginning of the small intestine (duodenum). The stomach directly transitions into the duodenum, where food is further digested and absorbed. The inflammation can be acute, lasting shortly, or chronic, when inflammation of the small intestine lasts from several months to a year or even longer. Duodenitis is more common in older people.

Cause of the disease

The main causes that damage the mucosa of the duodenum and cause its inflammatory reaction are as follows:

Helicobacter pylori infection
Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin
Viral infection.

Often, duodenal infection is associated with other gastrointestinal diseases, such as stomach inflammation, gallbladder inflammation, and others. Stress also influences the onset of the inflammatory process.

Symptoms

Inflammation of the duodenum is characterized by abdominal pain, as well as nausea, sometimes vomiting. The disease may not manifest with any clinical symptoms.

Diagnosis

After identifying the symptoms of the disease and their nature, the doctor performs a physical examination, prioritizing abdominal palpation. Then, the doctor carries out instrumental tests. One of the most important diagnostic procedures involves esophagogastroduodenoscopy, where the doctor inserts a special tube with optics through the mouth into the intestine. This procedure helps determine changes in the duodenum and allows the doctor to take material for histological examination (microscopy) to accurately establish the diagnosis.

Treatment

The treatment of duodenal inflammation depends on the cause that triggered it. In case of H. pylori infection, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for eradication. The treatment also addresses concurrent gastrointestinal diseases. The patient stops using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and avoids alcohol and coffee. Treatment may also include drugs that reduce stomach acid secretion or neutralize their effects.

Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology