ENTERITIS

inflammation of the intestines (especially of the small intestine), caused by irritants, poisons, disease organisms, or unknown factors. Regional enteritis (ileitis, or Crohn's disease) is a chronic inflammation that, in its classic form, is confined to the terminal portion of the ileum, the portion of the small intestine farthest from the stomach. The symptoms are extremely variable but usually include continuous or intermittent diarrhea, sometimes bloody, accompanied by painful abdominal cramps. Fever is common and sometimes overshadows the digestive symptoms; grave complications may occur, especially in infants and the elderly. Enterocolitis involves the colon as well as the small intestine, and gastroenteritis includes stomach inflammation. In all forms of enteritis, treatment is usually directed toward relief of symptoms, with anti-inflammatory agents playing an important role.