Surgery interferes with intestinal motility. Most often, the patient begins to suffer from constipation after surgery to remove tumors and appendix, as well as after surgical interventions on the uterus, rectum, gall bladder.
The reason for the postoperative lack of stool
Why is constipation after surgery? The tone of the smooth muscles of the intestine may disappear as a result of anesthesia, which is used for surgical intervention. This is due to the fact that anesthesia has a relaxing effect on all muscle fibers of the human body, including the intestines. Atony of the intestine may continue after the operation for some more time, since anesthesia continues to affect the body, so the operated patient also has constipation.
The deterioration of peristalsis leads to the fact that the food lump is poorly moving along the intestines, as well as to a decrease in the wave-like movements of the intestinal walls. Such a process leads to stagnation of feces, they lose water, harden and can damage the mucous membranes. Therefore, constipation must be combated, but it must be done correctly and under the supervision of a specialist.
In addition, constipation after surgery may occur as a result of the following reasons:
- Stress the patient experiences before surgery.
- A large number of medications that the patient takes in preparation for the intervention.
- Constipation after bowel surgery can be associated with the formation of adhesions in the intestine, no one is safe from them during interventions in the gallbladder or appendix.
- Inadequate physical activity in the postoperative period.
Clinical picture
Constipation after surgery is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- The patient feels the urge to defecate, but cannot go to the toilet.
- A feeling of fullness of the intestines, heaviness.
- Impaired sleep and appetite.
- Signs of intoxication are vomiting, which occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body.
How to get rid of constipation after surgery, the attending physician should tell. This must be done - solid feces can not only injure the mucous membranes, but also cause internal bleeding. In addition, constipation after surgery can lead to anal fissures, which can lead to infection. Over time, the tone of the intestinal muscles will be restored, but during the period of rehabilitation it is necessary to regularly empty the intestines and prevent long-term problems with bowel movements.
Massage
Massage helps to effectively cope with poor intestinal motility. But if the surgery was performed on the abdominal wall, massage techniques are prohibited, since there is a risk of seam divergence. If the surgical intervention affected other areas, the patient may receive sessions of tonic massage.
Technics:
- circular movements clockwise around the navel with a gradual increase in diameter;
- vibrating or circular movements with the edge of the palm in the right iliac region;
- lumbar massage;
- stroking movements of the abdominal region.
The movements should be smooth and without strong pressure.
Gymnastics
Constipation after surgery often occurs due to the low physical activity of the patient. If after the intervention it is possible to lead an active life, it is necessary to start every morning with very simple exercises that will allow the intestines to start working.
It is important to understand that with fresh surgical sutures gymnastic exercises are prohibited. With the permission of the doctor, you can do the following exercises:
- Lie on your back and throw your legs behind your head.
- “Bicycle” is a simple but very effective exercise for training the muscles of the peritoneum.
- Sitting with a breath, sharply strain the abdominal muscles and immediately relax them.
Nutrition
Treatment of constipation after surgery is always accompanied by the appointment of a special diet. It is recommended to include foods that are rich in fiber in the diet. It will contribute to the production of enzymes that have an irritating effect on the intestinal wall, thereby improving peristalsis.
In order for the digestive tract to recover faster, it is necessary to adhere to the following nutritional recommendations:
- On the first day, provide the body with complete food rest.
- Follow a diet prescribed by your doctor for at least 20 days. Since operations on various organs imply different restrictions on the diet, the diet should be prescribed exclusively by a doctor.
- Refuse rough food - fatty, fried, salted, smoked dishes are prohibited after any surgical intervention.
- Fractional meal.
- Dishes are best cooked or steamed.
- Before eating, you need to grind food, so the body will be easier to digest.
- Having breakfast at the same time - the schedule can have a therapeutic effect on the intestines, which will favorably affect its work.
Annoying Laxatives
Laxatives with an irritating effect are indicated in cases where the patient has constipation after surgery as a result of weak intestinal motility. The effect of drugs is manifested 6-7 hours after administration.
The course of treatment should not exceed 10 days. Assigned:
- "Fitomucil". The composition of the drug includes husks of plantain seeds, plum fruits. The contents of the bag are diluted in water.
- "Bisacodyl." Synthetic drug. It is taken orally, there are also suppositories.
Osmotic laxatives
Osmotic remedies for constipation after surgery help retain fluid in the intestines that softens hard stools. Most often written out:
- Fortrans. It is prescribed only for adult patients, it is not recommended for people with diseases of the cardiovascular system. In old age, it is used only under the supervision of a doctor.
- Karlovy Vary salt. It can be either natural or artificial. Divorced in water at a temperature not exceeding 30 degrees - a tablespoon of half a glass of water.
Herbal Laxatives
Laxatives of plant origin, getting into the intestines, swell and stretch the walls of the organ. At the same time, a wavy movement of the intestine increases, as a result of which an act of defecation occurs. The composition of the preparations includes natural substances that are not digested in the stomach, but absorb fluid in the intestines.
Assigned to:
- Fitolaks. The composition includes senna, apricot, plantain, dill.
- Senade. The drug is contraindicated in inflammatory diseases of the abdominal cavity, gastric or intestinal bleeding, and with bowel obstruction.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are prescribed to patients with hemorrhoids, they well restore the microflora in the gastrointestinal tract and very effectively cleanse the intestines from feces. In addition, these drugs improve motility and colonize the mucous membranes with beneficial microorganisms.
Assigned:
- Dufalac. It is approved for use by both adults and children.
- Normase. Caution should be taken in patients with diabetes mellitus and with intestinal obstruction.
Intestinal fillers
Intestinal fillers are composed of natural substances, they enhance the functionality of the intestine, stimulating its walls and provoking an act of defecation. The main representatives of this group of funds are:
- agar agar;
- husk of plantain seeds;
- flax seed;
- wheat bran;
- flavorort seeds;
- methyl cellulose;
- sterculia.
Intestinal fillers have a slow effect, since they are considered mild agents. Their action can occur within 1-3 days, the action of agar-agar begins 12 hours after administration. Means have side effects. When the intestinal walls are stretched, bloating, flatulence is possible. In addition, for the action of intestinal excipients, it is necessary to drink a lot of fluids, which is not permissible in all cases. In some diseases, taking a large amount of liquid is prohibited.
Folk remedies
Phytotherapists divide medicinal plants into two groups - with a high level of laxative effect and with a less pronounced laxative effect.
The first group includes:
- rhubarb root;
- cassia leaves;
- buckthorn bark.
To the second group:
- linen;
- marshmallow;
- field stalnik;
- the highland highlander.
In addition, traditional healers recommend drinking with constipation:
- cucumber pickle;
- decoction of oats;
- plum tinctures and decoctions.
But the first place in the treatment of constipation in traditional medicine is given to ordinary drinking water. To quickly empty the intestines, you need to drink a glass of water on an empty stomach, to enhance the effect, you can add a spoonful of honey to the water.
If the operation was performed for hemorrhoids, it is recommended to regularly take baths with chamomile or other anti-inflammatory herbs. Water temperature should not be higher than 40 degrees.
Conclusion
What to do with constipation after surgery should be clearly prescribed by the doctor. It can be dangerous to independently treat postoperative constipation, since problems with bowel movements can occur after various surgical interventions, which means that the selection of medicines, diet, and traditional medicine will be different.
But in general, if you follow the daily regimen, perform the recommended physical activities, adhere to dietary nutrition, take the medications prescribed by the doctor, conduct hygienic procedures efficiently, and use traditional medicine, intestinal motility in the postoperative period quickly normalizes.