{"id":14426,"date":"2020-03-27T09:07:01","date_gmt":"2020-03-27T09:07:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=14426"},"modified":"2021-05-06T17:52:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T17:52:01","slug":"14-common-causes-of-intestinal-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-common-causes-of-intestinal-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Common Causes of Intestinal Infection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Intestinal infections are very common but that doesn\u2019t mean they aren’t causing concern. While some people who suffer from intestinal infections just have mild symptoms such as fever or digestive problems, infections can be severe and even life-threatening. Sometimes the underlying cause of the infection is more of a concern than the infection itself. It can also affect it and how the infection can be treated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infections are common in patients who have other intestinal issues and can also lead to the diagnosis of many intestinal diseases and conditions. Many intestinal infections are linked to various types of intestinal cancers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Understanding the cause of an intestinal infection can help doctors determine the best course of action to treat it. While there are many things that can cause an intestinal infection, these are 14 of the most common causes. If you think you may have an infection, be sure to see a doctor immediately for treatment. 
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1. Duodenal Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a type of cancer that can be present in the intestinal tract<\/a>. These cancers usually grow as large tumors and they can become so large that they cause blockages in the intestines and prevent waste from passing through. When the waste is stuck in the digestive tract it can start to break down and lead to an infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the infection cannot pass through the intestines, it can stay in place and become more severe. It can also spread to other areas of the body and even be absorbed into the walls of the intestines where it can enter the bloodstream and easily travel to other parts of the body. In some cases, this can lead to sepsis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many people who have this type of cancer will suffer from multiple intestinal infections in their life. If cancer can be treated or if the cancerous section of the digestive tract can be removed, the infections may not return. Doctors may treat infections with antibiotics when possible and will avoid surgery unless necessary.
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2. Ileal cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Illegal cancer is rare, but some people are more susceptible to it than others. People who have Crohn’s disease<\/a>, celiac disease, or a history of colonic polyps are much more likely to suffer from this type of cancer than people who have no underlying intestinal disorder. People who have intestinal infections often are also more likely to get ileal cancer. Because cancer can take its toll on the body and lower the immune system, it makes it easy for infections to grow in the intestine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

They often start near the location of the cancer but can easily spread to other areas of the intestines and the body. This type of cancer can make it hard to treat infections, and most cancer patients are monitored to ensure they do not develop intestinal infections. In some cases, the infected area of the bowel will need to be removed to treat the infection and also remove the cancer from the body.
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3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This a term used to describe a variety of different conditions that cause the intestines to become inflamed. The causes of this condition can vary. Some people suffer from chronically inflamed bowels and other only experience bouts of them. The condition can lead to lesions <\/a>and sores though the intestines and even the rectum. It can also make it easy for waste to get trapped in these sores and cause an infection. When the intestines are inflamed, patients can suffer from abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, gas, bloating, and even fevers. These are also symptoms of an infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this reason, many people who have inflammatory bowel disease also have intestinal infections that have not yet been diagnosed. In order the determine if there is an infection, doctors may need to do a blood test. This can also tell them what type of infection they are dealing with so they can come up with the best treatment option.
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4. Intestinal Worm Infestation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Intestinal worm infestations are far more common than most people realize. While this may seem like the stuff of nightmares, it can actually happen to anyone and commonly affects people of all ages. Small worms and parasite <\/a>eggs can be present on move and in drinks. They can also be transferred to the body from your hands to your mouth. Parasites can travel into the intestines where they attach themselves and start to feed on the nutrient in the body as waste passes through the bowels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The longer the parasites are there, the worse the symptoms. Parasites can leave lesions or sores on the intestines that can become infected. Parasites can be difficult to treat and remove. In many cases, the infections are treated without knowing that the cause is a parasite. Doctors can check for parasites with blood tests and stool samples. Some parasites are easier to treat than others and some run their course and leave the body on their own.
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5. Intussusception<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Intussusception is a serious problem where one part of the intestine slides into another. It can block blood flow and fluids and even prevent waste from passing through the intestines as it should. It can also lead to tears in the bowel which can allow waste to get into the bloodstream. Infections are common with this condition. They can occur at the locations where the intestines telescope each other or occur in tears and rips in the bowel. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because the infection can hide in the folds of the intestines <\/a>and areas where they overlap, it can be hard to treat. In some cases, this condition can fix itself and the infection may go away as it heals. In other cases, the patient will require surgery and the infection will also be treated with antibiotics. Doctors will check for signs of infection before planning surgery or doing anything near the bowel.\u00a0\u00a0
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6. Ischemic Colitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ischemic colitis<\/a> is a condition that occurs when the blood flow to the large intestine has been reduced or completely cut off. Without the right amount of oxygen, the cells can\u2019t function as they should. It can cause permanent damage to the colon and many people who have this condition suffer from painful bowel movements or general abdominal pain. Because the large intestine is weakened by this condition, it\u2019s more at risk for infections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infections can grow in the intestine more easily before there isn\u2019t enough blood flow to move it through. It can also make it difficult for antibiotics to treat the infection because they don\u2019t move through the bloodstream well enough to get to the parts of the intestine affected by the condition and infection. Patients who have this condition often require hospitalization to treat it and any infections that may be present because of it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Jejunal Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Jejunal cancer<\/a> is a rare cancer that affects the small intestine. It starts as a disease that causes tumors or cysts to grow in the intestines. Eventually, these tumors grow out of control and can take over the entire small intestine. The small intestine is located between the stomach and the large intestine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cancer can cause a variety of different symptoms and make the intestines more susceptible to infections. Because of the location of the small intestine, the infections can easily spread in different ways. It can move up into the stomach or it can spread down into the large intestine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the infection can spread so easily, it can be particularly hard to treat. The presence of cancer can also make it difficult to treat intestinal infection without causing other problems. Patients who have this type of cancer are carefully monitored to make sure they are not suffering from any type of infection.
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8. Mesenteric Artery Ischemia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This is a condition where there is a blockage in one or more of the main arteries that supply blood to the intestines. The intestines need constant blood flow to function properly and without it, they can shut down and fail to remove waste from the body. When this happens, the waste can stay trapped in the intestines where it can slowly be absorbed into the bloodstream<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can lead to a serious infection and even sepsis. The longer the waste stays in the body, the worse the infection can become. People who have this condition can also experience other issues. When an infection is present in the intestines, antibiotics may be used to treat it, but the blockage to the artery will need to be corrected so blood flow can be restored to the intestines. In some cases, portions of the intestines die without enough blood flow and have to be removed.
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9. Proctitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Proctitis <\/a>is an inflammation in the intestine and the rectum. It can be painful and result in extremely painful bowel movements. The condition can also be aggravated by each bowel movement, which means it is always red and inflamed. When the body never gets a chance to heal itself, it can become more susceptible to infections. The weakened condition of the bowels makes it easy for infections to get into the intestines and even spread to other areas of the digestive tract. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition can also be more severe when an infection is present. The infection can cause swelling in the intestines and make it even harder for bowels to move through the sore and red rectum. Once a person has an infection in the intestines or rectum, it can be hard to treat. The infection may keep coming back and causing the same issues. Strong antibiotics may help the infection.
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10. Ulcerative colitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ulcerative colitis<\/a> is a type of bowel disease that causes long-lasting sores and blisters to appear in the intestines, it can be extremely painful and cause severe constipation or diarrhea. The ulcers and sores can also make bowel movements extremely painful. Eating certain foods can aggravate the condition and it is a debilitating disease for many people. Ulcerative colitis is treatable with medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from its own symptoms, the conditions also make people more susceptible to intestinal infections. The ulcers and sores are the perfect places for infection to start and spread. It also makes them hard to treat with antibiotics and traditional medications. People who have ulcerative colitis are monitored for signs of infection and often spend a lot of time sick because of them. If left untreated, an intestinal infection can be dangerous and can spread through the bloodstream to other parts of the body where it can cause even more problems.
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11. Parasites<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Parasites <\/a>can enter the body in a number of ways. They can be found on food, surface, or even travel in the air. There are many different types of parasites that can affect humans, and some are more severe than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parasites tend to favor certain organs and when they attach themselves to the intestine, they can live in them unnoticed for a long time before symptoms begin to show. Some people have parasites for years and don\u2019t realize it. One of the signs of a parasitic infection is fever. The fever may come and go and make be extremely high or just slightly above normal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Doctors can perform different tests to determine if a parasite is present in the body or specifically the intestines. X-rays may be able to show some parasites, but stool samples are one of the most common tests used to determine the presence of a parasite.
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12. Fungi<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are many funguses that can make their way into the body and cause problems. Funguses are hard to treat and are often resistant to antibiotics <\/a>and other medications that are used to treat infections. When a fungus enters the body, it can take several days before it makes its way to the intestines and leads to an infection. The infection can be obvious and have severe symptoms or may be something milder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Funguses are also hard to detect in the body and as long as they are present, the infection may remain too. Doctors may need to perform a variety of different tests to determine if a fungus is to blame for the infection and what type of fungus has cause it. Determining the type of fungus makes it easier to treat the infection. Some infection may respond to antibiotics, but others may require unique treatment methods to help clear up the infection and force the fungus out of the body 
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13. Diverticulosis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diverticulosis <\/a>is a condition where small pockets form in the intestines. It can cause a variety of different symptoms including abdominal pain. Many of the symptoms of diverticulosis mimic those of an intestinal infection. Because there can be so many pockets in the intestines if makes it easy for waste to get stuck in them. When this happens, it can lead to an infection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The infection can even be hard to treat because the pockets trap it inside and allow it to grow. If the infection spreads from one pocket, it can gradually get into all of the pockets and infect the entire intestine. If can also get into the bloodstream if left untreated, which can be extremely dangerous and even fatal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

People who have diverticulosis are always at risk of developing an infection. They are constantly monitored for signs of infection. These infections can be difficult to treat but may be treated with antibiotics. 
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14.Colon Cancer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Colon doesn\u2019t just present its own issues with the intestine, it can also lead to infections. When the intestines are affected by cancer, they are more susceptible to other problems in their weakened state. It makes it much easier for them to become infected and it\u2019s harder for the body to fight off the infection on its own. People who have colon cancer<\/a> are often monitored closely for signs of an infection. If they do get an infection, they may be limited in the medications they can take. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some may be able to take antibiotics to overcome the infection. If the infections go untreated or become too severe, it can lead to more serious problems. Some people who have colon cancer and develop recurring infections may have to have part of their intestines removed. This can help treat cancer and also prevent it and the infection from spreading to other parts of the body and causing more problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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