Part of the bowel slides into another, narrowing the bowel or twisting part of the bowel, causing a bowel obstruction. Intestinal obstruction means that the intestines are blocked, so that the intestinal contents cannot pass normally, and the blood vessels supplying the intestines are damaged or blocked, resulting in intestinal necrosis.

In addition, intestinal polyps or intestinal tumors, hernias, leftovers from abdominal surgery Scarring, etc., can lead to narrowing and blockage of the intestines. Intestinal obstruction is not a small problem, making it difficult for the contents to flow and unable to pass out of the body, which can easily lead to a tear in the intestine, which can lead to intestinal perforation.

What are the symptoms of intestinal obstruction?

1. Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a typical symptom of intestinal obstruction, and the pain is mainly concentrated around the navel. Presenting spastic colic. In addition, feces and gas are difficult to pass out of the body after intestinal obstruction, resulting in inability to defecate and fart.

2, bloating

Because too much feces and gas accumulate in the intestinal tube, it will cause abdominal distension; the intestinal contents cannot pass down, but will reflux upwards, which will cause nausea and vomiting.

How is intestinal obstruction diagnosed?

If you have any of the above symptoms, accompanied by constipation and abdominal cramps, you should not take chances, and you need to go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible, especially for middle-aged and elderly people or those with abdominal cramps. other diseases.

Need to go to the hospital for physical examination, blood test, abdominal X-ray or CT examination , a clear diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, and then according to the results of the examination to develop an appropriate treatment plan.

How is intestinal obstruction treated?

1. Mild cases

Because intestinal ventilation is hindered, intestinal peristalsis is affected. The bloating problem is further exacerbated by increased fluid and gas in the intestinal lumen, so fasting of food and water, and intravenous injection of drugs and fluids into the body are necessary.

Or insert a nasogastric tube through the nose and stomach to expel gas and fluid from the body and contents to relieve discomfort; then use an enema to clear the blockage. Observe the situation of defecation and exhaust, record the time when defecation and exhaust stop, and strictly follow the doctor’s instructions for sitz bath, anal exhaust or enema.

During treatment, patients should be observed for symptoms of dehydration, such as dry skin, oliguria or anuria, fever, dry mouth and fast pulse. , once there should be promptly told the doctor to add fluids.

2. Completely blocked bowel

According to the cause of intestinal obstruction, the corresponding intestinal tissue is removed by surgical resection; the patient’s condition is more complicated or the physical fitness is poor, and a colostomy or It is an ileostomy, in which the damaged intestine is taken out and the remaining part is sewn into an opening in the skin, allowing the stool to pass from this site.

After the condition improves, connect the intestines and close the stoma, so that the feces are excreted through the anus; if the patient is seriously ill and cannot undergo surgery at all, then Intestinal support therapy is adopted, that is, a mesh stent is placed in the stenosis, which can stretch the stenosis of the intestine, and further surgical treatment can be performed after the condition improves.

Message from the doctor

Prevention is better than cure, usually should Reasonably arrange diet, develop the habit of actively drinking water, maintain moderate exercise, and actively prevent constipation. Patients with malignant tumor metastasis to the abdomen, Crohn’s disease, gastrointestinal tumors, abdominal hernia, colonic diverticulitis, etc. are prone to intestinal obstruction, so they should actively cooperate with doctors in scientific and standardized treatment. For middle-aged and elderly people, they should go to the hospital regularly for colonoscopy; if they have had abdominal surgery recently, they need to get out of bed as soon as possible to prevent intestinal adhesions.

Family doctor online feature, unauthorized reprint