Enteric neuropathy

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 these have adverse effects on the primary condition.

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 is conducted by a physician based on multiple tests and is subjective rather than definitive, 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 degradation, assists in the diagnosis.