Does intestinal obstruction cause fever?

Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

Updated on September 04, 2024

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It is possible, as the primary pathophysiological change in intestinal obstruction is the translocation of intestinal flora causing infection, which can lead to symptoms such as fever. Therefore, fever is also a factor in assessing the condition. If a patient has persistent high fever, they may even develop septic shock, which could necessitate surgical intervention such as exploratory laparotomy. Thus, fever is a common factor in intestinal obstruction, but it is not a mandatory one.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min 18sec

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Principles of Intestinal Obstruction Treatment

In the treatment principles of intestinal obstruction, the basic treatment methods apply to both partial and complete intestinal obstructions. Firstly, gastrointestinal decompression is required based on the situation. Gastrointestinal decompression involves the insertion of a gastric tube, which is determined by whether the patient has symptoms of nausea and vomiting. If these symptoms are prominent, a gastric tube should be placed to drain the stomach contents, thus alleviating the burden and swelling of the intestines and aiding in the treatment of the disease. Another aspect is fluid replenishment and anti-inflammation, as intestinal obstruction will definitely lead to changes in intestinal flora and concurrent infections, making anti-infection measures very important. Fluid replenishment involves administering nutrient solutions to provide nutrition and prevent electrolyte imbalances. Additionally, enemas or traditional Chinese medicine may be used to facilitate intestinal motility. During this treatment process, it is crucial to closely monitor the condition to assess if exploratory surgery is indicated. As the condition can either improve or worsen, close observation is extremely important.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min 1sec

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How is intestinal obstruction diagnosed?

First, we diagnose intestinal obstruction, on the one hand, based on the patient's typical symptoms, and then combined with corresponding examinations. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and cessation of gas and bowel movements, among which cessation of gas and bowel movements is very important. Some have a state of persistent diarrhea, but the corresponding examination suggests intestinal obstruction, which is not the intestinal obstruction we speak of in surgical terms. After typical manifestations appear, corresponding examinations can be conducted. Currently, the fastest examination for diagnosing intestinal obstruction is an abdominal X-ray. The patient takes an X-ray in a standing position, for example, multiple fluid-gas levels appear in the abdominal plain film, in addition to proximal bowel dilatation and distal bowel collapse, or a CT scan reveals tumorous lesions, which are very important for the examination of the cause of the obstruction.

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Written by Gao Tian

General Surgery

52sec

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Causes of intestinal obstruction

The causes of intestinal obstruction include factors external to the intestine and those originating from the intestine itself. External factors are mainly adhesions and bands of adhesions that cause intussusception or volvulus, thereby leading to intestinal obstruction. Congenital adhesive bands are common in children. Adhesions resulting from abdominal surgery or intra-abdominal inflammatory lesions are the most common causes of adult intestinal obstruction, although a minority of patients may have no history of abdominal surgery or inflammation. Additionally, incarcerated external or internal hernias may also cause intestinal obstruction. Furthermore, tumors external to the intestine or abdominal compression can also lead to obstruction.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

1min 4sec

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How to relieve intestinal obstruction

How to alleviate intestinal obstruction, which means how to treat intestinal obstruction. After the occurrence of intestinal obstruction, it is first important to clarify what intestinal obstruction is. Intestinal obstruction is characterized by cessation of gas and stool passage from the anus, and is usually accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and even fever. If intestinal obstruction occurs, firstly, do not eat or drink, and then carry out appropriate examinations to identify the cause of the obstruction. If it is adhesive obstruction, treatment generally includes fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, anti-inflammatory treatment, fluid replenishment, and enemas as symptomatic treatment measures, trying to keep the treatment as conservative as possible. If the obstruction is caused by a tumor, it is preferable to perform surgery to remove the obstruction based on a clear diagnosis, as this is the only effective treatment.

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Written by Zhang Peng

General Surgery

48sec

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Early symptoms of intestinal obstruction

What are the early symptoms of intestinal obstruction? For intestinal obstruction, the symptoms that appear in the early stages vary depending on the location of the obstruction. If it is a high-level obstruction, the main early symptoms are nausea and vomiting. If it is a low-level obstruction, abdominal distension is more prominent early on, and nausea and vomiting are less common. Additionally, the cause of the obstruction also leads to different symptoms. For instance, if the obstruction is simply due to adhesions in the abdominal cavity, the early symptoms may include poor appetite or nausea and vomiting. If it is caused by tumors in the digestive tract, early symptoms might include abdominal bloating, difficulty defecating, bloody stools, or changes in the characteristics of the stool, among others.