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Intestinal obstruction
Methods for examining intestinal obstruction
The simplest test for intestinal obstruction is an upright abdominal X-ray, which can diagnose intestinal obstruction if dilated bowel loops and fluid levels are seen. Diagnosis can also be based on the patient's history and physical signs, such as nausea, vomiting, cessation of passing gas or stool, etc. Currently, abdominal CT can also diagnose intestinal obstruction, with the simplest method being the upright abdominal X-ray. Different types of intestinal obstruction require different treatments. For obstructions caused by tumors or volvulus, prompt surgical treatment is necessary. For general intestinal obstructions, such as those caused by adhesions or intestinal dysmotility, the preferred treatment includes fasting, hydration, anti-inflammatory medications, and other supportive measures. For elderly patients with obstipation-induced obstruction, enema treatment can be initiated first.
Symptoms of intestinal obstruction
The symptoms of intestinal obstruction generally manifest as abdominal pain, especially cunning types that can cause severe abdominal pain. Secondly, due to the blockage of the intestines by the obstruction, it can lead to vomiting of stomach acid, which is also greatly related to the location of the obstruction. Thirdly, there will be intestinal discomfort, which leads to some discomforts. Therefore, if the above symptoms appear, it is recommended to quickly visit the general surgery department to complete relevant examinations and intervene early based on the results to prevent further damage.
Intestinal obstruction etiology
What are the causes of intestinal obstruction? Generally, in clinical practice, the causes and inducements of intestinal obstructions are mainly divided into the following aspects: Firstly, there are extraintestinal disorders, such as some space-occupying lesions in the abdominal cavity compressing the intestinal tube, causing narrowing of the intestinal lumen and thus obstruction. Additionally, there are diseases of the intestines themselves. Some severe intestinal diseases or tumorous conditions, or ischemic diseases of the intestines themselves, can all potentially lead to intestinal obstruction. If the symptoms of intestinal obstruction are typical, hospital treatment and possibly surgery may be necessary. Furthermore, some motility factors within the abdominal cavity can also cause intestinal obstruction, such as a reduction in the motility of the intestines or paralysis and expansion of the intestines due to electrolyte disturbances, leading to symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
Is intestinal obstruction dangerous?
Intestinal obstruction is a relatively dangerous and common emergency condition in general surgery. It is a disease caused by an obstruction to the passage of intestinal contents, categorized by its causes into mechanical intestinal obstruction, dynamic intestinal obstruction, and vascular intestinal obstruction, among which vascular intestinal obstruction is particularly dangerous. Based on blood circulation in the intestinal wall, it is divided into simple intestinal obstruction and strangulated intestinal obstruction, with strangulated intestinal obstruction being more dangerous as it can easily lead to ischemic necrosis of the intestines. According to the degree of obstruction, it is classified into partial intestinal obstruction and complete intestinal obstruction, with the latter being more dangerous. Intestinal obstruction, especially strangulated or vascular intestinal obstruction, can lead to obstructed blood circulation in the intestinal wall, resulting in ischemic necrosis and possibly perforation, making it a very dangerous condition.
Intestinal obstruction complications
The complications of intestinal obstruction include some common clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, distension, nausea, vomiting, and cessation of passing gas or stool from the anus. The initial symptom in complications is electrolyte imbalance, which is caused by the inability to eat and frequent vomiting. Another issue is the displacement of intestinal flora due to the obstruction, which can lead to infections. This is why it’s essential for patients with intestinal obstruction to actively undergo antibiotic treatment. The most severe complication is that a serious intestinal obstruction can lead to necrosis of the intestine. Based on this necrosis, a patient can develop septic shock or toxic shock, which are life-threatening conditions.
Can you fart with intestinal obstruction?
Intestinal obstruction is caused by any reason that prevents the passage of intestinal contents. Intestinal obstruction can be divided into acute, partial, and acute complete intestinal obstruction. In complete obstruction, there is a cessation of both gas and feces passage from the anus. Partial obstruction may still allow the passage of gas from the anus, i.e., farting, or a small amount of bowel movement. Acute complete intestinal obstruction is accompanied by abdominal pain and distension, with no gas or feces passing through the anus. Higher intestinal obstructions may also involve nausea and vomiting. Treatment requires gastrointestinal decompression, anti-inflammatory hydration, and if necessary, enema treatment until intestinal function is restored and gas and bowel movements can occur.
Symptoms of intestinal obstruction
For symptoms of intestinal obstruction, the typical manifestations are abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and cessation of passing gas or stool. Most people may experience several of these symptoms; however, the severity of the symptoms depends on the location and condition of the obstruction. Once symptoms of intestinal obstruction occur, it is necessary to refrain from eating and then carry out appropriate examinations. Identifying the cause of the obstruction is crucial. If the obstruction is caused by tumor-related factors, surgical treatment should be considered based on a comprehensive assessment. If the obstruction is due to adhesions, conservative treatment methods should be adopted where possible.
Causes of intestinal obstruction
Generally, the basic causes of intestinal obstruction can be divided into three categories. The most common is mechanical intestinal obstruction, which mainly includes blockage of the intestinal lumen, such as large fecal masses or corresponding foreign objects, and even parasites. The second type is compression of the intestinal tube, which can be caused by adhesions leading to torsion of the intestine or compression by tumors, and congenital inflammatory strictures and tumors can cause mechanical intestinal obstruction. The second major category is dynamic intestinal obstruction, which is primarily due to weakened peristaltic ability of the intestine, resulting in paralytic intestinal obstruction. This condition can be improved by adjusting intestinal function disorders or treating intestinal spasms. The third type is intestinal obstruction caused by vascular issues in the intestines, most commonly thrombosis of the mesentery or compression causing vascular disorders of the intestines.
How long to fast for intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction and the barrier to the passage of intestinal contents can lead to intestinal obstruction, typically characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, cessation of passing gas and stools, and in cases of high intestinal obstruction, it may also involve nausea and vomiting. How long fasting should be continued in the case of intestinal obstruction depends on whether the patient has resumed passing gas and stools, as well as whether symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting have subsided. If the patient's abdominal pain and bloating have mostly subsided, passing gas and stools have resumed, and there is no bloody stool or symptoms of nausea and vomiting, then a gradual reintroduction of a liquid diet can be started. If abdominal pain and bloating do not worsen, and there is passing gas and stools, then a transition to a semi-liquid diet until a normal diet is resumed can be made. Therefore, the duration of fasting for intestinal obstruction should be determined based on the effectiveness of the treatment for the obstruction.
Do intestinal obstructions cause vomiting?
The typical four major symptoms of intestinal obstruction are pain, vomiting, bloating, and constipation. Vomiting refers to the urge to vomit; however, it does not mean that every patient with an obstruction must exhibit symptoms of vomiting, as the symptoms vary depending on the location of the obstruction. Obstructions can be categorized into lower and upper types. Upper obstruction may present more apparent vomiting symptoms, while lower obstruction might lead to significant bloating but less obvious vomiting. Therefore, vomiting is not a necessary symptom for the treatment of intestinal obstruction, but it can help in assessing the condition of the obstruction.