All You Need To Know About Intestinal Tb Symptoms & Treatment

By Author: Shree Gastrocare
Total Articles: 4
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Tuberculosis is widely perceived as an illness that targets the lungs alone. Most individuals do not know about another manifestation of this bacterial infection called intestinal tuberculosis or gastrointestinal tuberculosis. This condition is caused by TB germs that attack the intestinal tract in individuals. Intestinal TB remains a common problem in developing nations such as India where TB is endemic.

It becomes necessary to understand all about the intestinal tb symptoms and treatment of this serious gastrointestinal ailment because its signs might be confused with those of other similar conditions including Crohn’s disease, IBS, and ulcerative colitis.

What is Intestinal Tuberculosis?

Intestinal tuberculosis refers to an extrapulmonary form of TB that involves infection of the gastrointestinal tract, mostly the ileocecal area which connects the small intestine to the large intestine. This condition results from infection by the bacterium Mycobacterium ...
... tuberculosis that causes pulmonary TB.

Modes through which M. tuberculosis infection may affect the intestines include:

Ingestion of infected sputum during pulmonary tuberculosis
Dissemination via the bloodstream from a different body part
Eating contaminated foods or milk
Direct spread from nearby organs infected by the bacteria

Severe complications associated with this condition include intestinal obstruction, perforation, ulceration, bleeding, and nutritional deficiency.

Symptoms of Intestinal Tuberculosis

One of the major difficulties in the diagnosis of intestinal tuberculosis is the fact that this condition's symptoms occur gradually and could be mistaken for symptoms of other diseases affecting the gut. Depending on the extent of infection and affected body parts, symptoms of this disease vary in severity.

1. Persistent Abdominal Pain

Persistent pain in the lower right portion of the abdomen is the hallmark feature of intestinal tuberculosis. It usually occurs mildly at first but progressively worsens with time.

2. Unintentional Weight Loss

Unintentional weight loss is another very common feature of intestinal TB patients. This occurs due to malnutrition and decreased appetite due to infection.

3. Reoccurring Diarrhea

Frequent bouts of diarrhea are also common symptoms in patients with intestinal TB. This diarrhea can either be mucous-containing or not.

4. Fever

Patients of TB have a characteristic fever pattern. They tend to have fever especially during evenings which goes on for several weeks or months at a stretch.

5. Loss of Appetite

Loss of appetite is a common symptom among TB patients. They have an aversion towards food.

6. Fatigue

Fatigue and weakness are commonly experienced symptoms of intestinal TB as the body fights off infections.

7. Abdominal Distention

Due to inflammation and fluid accumulation, a patient can develop distention in the abdomen. In some severe cases, it causes visible distention of the abdomen.

8. Bloody Stools

There is a possibility of the presence of bloody stools in certain cases due to ulcers developing inside the walls of the intestines. It cannot be ignored at any cost.

9. Intestinal Obstruction

Severe cases of intestinal TB lead to obstruction in the intestines because of narrowing of the intestines. Symptoms are severe pain in the abdomen, vomiting, constipation, and distention of the abdomen.

Risk Factors Associated With Intestinal Tuberculosis

There are several factors that increase the risk of intestinal tuberculosis, such as:

Prior occurrence of pulmonary tuberculosis
Closeness with TB patients
Weak immunity
HIV/AIDS
Poor nutrition
Diabetes Mellitus
Taking immunosuppressant drugs for a prolonged period

Diagnosis of Intestinal Tuberculosis

Correct diagnosis is important because symptoms of intestinal TB might mimic those of other gastrointestinal disorders. Your gastroenterologist might perform a variety of tests to diagnose intestinal TB.

Blood Tests

They could detect infection and inflammation markers as well as any signs of anemia and malnutrition.

Imaging

CT scans, MRI, and abdominal ultrasound might show thickening of intestinal walls and enlarged lymph nodes, among other characteristic features.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy helps visualize intestines directly; at the same time, biopsies could be taken for further investigation.

Biopsy Test

A histopathology examination of biopsies provides a definitive diagnosis through identification of TB characteristics.

TB-Specific Tests

There are some special tests, including GeneXpert, TB PCR, Mantoux, and Interferon Gamma Release Assays (IGRA).

Intestinal TB Treatment

Fortunately, if you have been diagnosed early enough, you might get cured from your disease. One main method of treatment will be ATT.

Antitubercular Drugs

Treatment of intestinal TB involves taking several antibiotics specially created for treating tuberculosis. The most common of them are:

Isoniazid
Rifampicin
Pyrazinamide
Ethambutol

These drugs are commonly taken for a period of six to nine months; however, some individuals may be required to take treatment for more time according to their needs.

It is very essential to complete the whole course of treatment even if relief from symptoms occurs early in the process. Early cessation of treatment may cause resistance against the TB infection.

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is key to successful treatment. Patients are advised to eat:

Proteins
Fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Fluids

Nutrition will help boost the immune system as well as tissue repair.

Monitoring During Treatment

Monitoring visits during treatment are vital to check on improvement and effectiveness of treatment. Imaging tests or endoscopies may be required in some cases.

Surgery

Whereas medical treatment proves to be effective in most patients, surgical intervention becomes inevitable if complications arise. The procedure is required when there is a case of:

Intestinal obstruction
Perforation
Bleeding
Persistence of strictures

The main aim of surgery is to excise the damaged sections of the intestines.

Is Intestinal Tuberculosis Preventable?

Although it is hard to prevent this condition entirely, there are some measures that one can take to avoid it:

Preliminary diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis
Practice of proper hygiene
Eating pasteurized milk and cooked food
Strengthening the body's defense mechanism by eating nutritious food
Getting regular health examinations for people who belong to high-risk groups

It is important to have adequate information about the disease.
When Should You Visit a Gastroenterologist?

Symptoms like abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea, fever, and bloody stools should not be ignored. They might indicate either intestinal TB or other gastrointestinal disorders.

If diagnosed early, the treatment process will be less complicated. It will minimize the possibility of developing more severe complications.

Conclusion

It is crucial to have an understanding of TB intestine symptoms and treatment in order to detect the ailment during its early stages. Intestinal tuberculosis may occur at any age and can manifest itself through symptoms similar to those of other disorders affecting the digestive tract. Chronic abdominal pains, weight loss, fever, diarrhea, and exhaustion are among the common indicators of this ailment.

Luckily enough, with proper diagnosis and treatment with antituberculosis drugs, the majority of patients will be able to recover fully. If you experience persistent problems with your digestive system, visiting a physician may make a huge difference.