Enteric Neuropathy

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Enteric Neuropathy is a degenerative neuromuscular condition of the digestive system. In simple terms the gut stops functioning, due to degradation of the nerves and muscles. The condition affects all parts of the digestive tract. There is no known cure or treatment for Enteric Neuropathy at this time; it is only possible to work on symptom management.

Symptoms

The main symptom of Enteric Neuropathy is severe and constant pain. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating and abdominal abnormalities. In addition malabsorption and poor nutrition are common, as the digestive system begins to fail. Symptom management is very important and the main priority is usually to get on top of the pain. However, as most people may have been waiting for years for a diagnosis they are often already addicted to painkillers (such as tramadol and oramorph) and this has effects on the gut which do not help the situation.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of Enteric Neuropathy is rather difficult, in that many symptoms present in ways that are common to many other bowel- and gut-related diseases. It is common that many people undergo many surgeries, sometimes over several years, to attempt to combat other possible diseases. The diagnosis itself requires a bowel motility study, which for those who have Enteric Neuropathy will show signs of severe abnormalities in the movement of the gut. An operation to take a section of muscle for biopsy which, if it shows signs of nerve degredation, confirms the diagnosis.

External links

• entericneuropathy.org for a "sufferer's point of view"