“When experiencing stomach pain, many people tend to endure it and put it off, but not every time the stomach hurts it can just ‘get better in a while.'” Li Fangbai, director and chief physician of the Second Department of Thoracic Surgery at Hunan Chest Hospital, said yesterday, “If long-term abdominal pain is accompanied by weight loss, low-grade fever, night sweats, etc., it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly and be alert to the possibility of intestinal tuberculosis.”
Li Fangbai, director and chief physician of the Second Department of Thoracic Surgery at Hunan Chest Hospital, carefully examines the patient’s imaging examination films.
21-year-old Ms. Zhang from Jiangxi began experiencing stomach pain two years ago, which worsened after eating. Ms. Zhang thought it was due to irregular lifestyle habits causing discomfort in the stomach, did not take it seriously, only bought some anti-inflammatory and digestive aids to take, thinking it would go away with time.
In May of this year, Ms. Zhang’s abdominal pain worsened, accompanied by fever, nausea, vomiting, etc. Within just 2 months, she lost 10 kilograms. She realized the seriousness of the problem, consciously could not delay any longer, and promptly went to the local hospital for treatment. After examination suspected of intestinal tuberculosis, for further diagnosis, Ms. Zhang came to the Second Department of Thoracic Surgery at Hunan Chest Hospital.
After understanding Ms. Zhang’s condition, the attending physician perfected the relevant examinations for her, later diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis combined with intestinal tuberculosis. “If attention had been paid to the abdominal pain at the beginning, seeking medical attention and treatment earlier, the condition would not have become so serious…” regretted Ms. Zhang. After a period of treatment, Ms. Zhang’s symptoms have significantly improved.
Li Fangbai Introduction
Intestinal tuberculosis is a chronic specific infection of the intestines caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, mainly secondary to pulmonary tuberculosis, mostly seen in young and middle-aged people, and is a common extrapulmonary tuberculosis in clinical practice.
The main clinical manifestations of intestinal tuberculosis are abdominal pain, abnormal bowel movements, accompanied by night sweats, weight loss, etc., and can lead to serious complications such as intestinal obstruction, acute intestinal perforation, or chronic intestinal perforation fistula formation when severe.
Some patients have atypical clinical presentations, low positivity rates in tuberculosis tests, or thickening of the intestinal wall due to intestinal tuberculosis, irregular narrowings, deformities of the intestinal lumen, severe adhesions of some intestinal tracts with the mesentery and abdominal wall, making it difficult to perform colonoscopy for a clear diagnosis, hence easily leading to treatment delays.
Tuberculosis patients must adhere to regular anti-tuberculosis treatment and pay attention to regular follow-up after discharge. Li Fangbai reminds that patients should maintain good lifestyle habits, get adequate rest, balance work and rest, avoid spicy, stimulating, greasy foods, consume easily digestible vegetables, fruits, take appropriate dietary fiber intake, maintain regular bowel movements, avoid vigorous exercise after meals, and abstain from smoking and alcohol. In daily life, pay attention to cleanliness and hygiene, and seek medical attention promptly for any discomfort.
Journalist: Yang Weiran Correspondents Yang Jiamin, Chen Siyu
Source: Changsha Evening News
