What causes enteritis?
What causes enteritis?
There are four broad categories of enteritis. Each has its own common cause.
Infectious enteritis (gastroenteritis)
Infectious enteritis — the most common type — is caused by viruses, bacteria or even parasites. Viruses, bacteria and parasites are highly contagious. They spread through contaminated food or water or through contact with another person who is infected.
Viruses that commonly cause enteritis include:
- Norovirus.
- Rotavirus.
- Enteric adenovirus.
- Astrovirus.
Bacteria that commonly cause enteritis include:
- Salmonella.
- Shigella.
- E. coli.
- C. jejuni.
- C. difficile.
- S. aureus.
Parasites that commonly cause enteritis include:
- Giardia.
- Cryptosporidium.
- Cyclospora.
Inflammatory enteritis
Primary inflammatory enteritis is caused by certain autoimmune diseases that affect the digestive system. Autoimmune diseases can mistake food in your digestive tract for infectious agents, causing an inflammatory response. This can be a chronic problem. Diseases include:
- Celiac disease.
- Ulcerative enteritis.
- Eosinophilic enteritis.
- Microscopic enteritis.
- Lupus enteritis.
- Crohn’s disease (also called regional enteritis).
In addition to diseases, overuse of certain drugs can inflame your intestines. These include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Certain antibiotics.
- Alcohol.
- Cocaine.
Radiation enteritis
Radiation enteritis, also called secondary inflammatory enteritis, is caused by radiation exposure, particularly to the abdominal and pelvic areas. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy are used to kill cancer cells, but they can also kill healthy cells in the protective lining of your mouth, stomach and intestine. This destroys the protective lining, leading to irritation and inflammation.
For most people, radiation enteritis lasts only a few weeks after treatment. But occasionally, in some people, it persists for months or even years. Scientists don’t know why this occurs. People with chronic radiation enteritis may be at risk of serious damage to their small intestine.
Ischemic enteritis (IE)
Intestinal ischemic syndrome occurs when the blood supply to a portion of your intestines is blocked. Small intestine ischemia, while uncommon, can be a serious illness. It can result in enteritis and all of its typical symptoms.