What is intestinal obstruction? Symptoms, treatment and features of this disease will be presented below. We will also tell you about what are the causes of the disease in question and how it is diagnosed.
general information
Intestinal obstruction (symptoms in adults and children will be discussed later) is characterized by a partial or complete cessation of the progression of the chyme along the intestines. This pathological condition requires urgent intervention by specialists, as it threatens the life of the patient.
Causes of development in babies
How is intestinal obstruction in children? Symptoms of this disease in newborns are not much different from symptoms in adults.
According to doctors, all segments of the population are affected by this disease. This pathological condition can occur in newborns and in the elderly.
Usually in infants, intestinal obstruction is the result of abnormal intrauterine development. It can occur as a result of narrowing of the lumen of the intestine, or so-called stenosis, atresia of the esophagus, incomplete turn of the intestine, intestinal duplication (i.e. doubling of the intestine) and neuronal dysplasia of the intestinal wall.
Why does it occur in adults?
Now you know why intestinal obstruction in newborns develops . Symptoms of this disease will be presented below.
The development of such a disease in adults has many different causes. The most common of these are:
- abdominal operations and injuries;
- adhesive processes in the peritoneum that arose after inflammatory diseases;
- tumors in the abdominal cavity or in the retroperitoneal space;
- nodules in the intestine, where there is a long and mobile mesentery;
- intestinal malformations;
- intra-abdominal pressure due to excessive physical exertion;
- unbalanced nutrition, as well as nutrition in violation of the meal schedule and its quantity.
Types of disease
Symptom of intestinal obstruction may be different. Often it depends on the type of disease and the cause of its occurrence.
In medical practice, the disease in question is usually classified as follows:
Based on the causes of development and the mechanism of the disease, it should be clarified that the congenital form of intestinal obstruction is the result of intrauterine anomalies.
As for the acquired disease, it is the result of a development mechanism. A group of this type includes a dynamic or so-called functional type of obstruction with a paralytic and spastic form. The first is a consequence of paralysis and paresis of the intestine. As a rule, it appears only in the secondary stage and may be the result of postoperative stress.
The spastic form of the disease is associated with reflex intestinal cramps. Such a disease is the result of helminthic infestations or intoxications.
Intestinal obstruction: symptoms
Treatment in children and adults of this disease should be carried out immediately, otherwise it is fatal.
Usually the development of such a disease is characterized by pain in the abdomen. They can be sharp, cramping, as well as growing in nature. This condition contributes to the occurrence of nausea and subsequent vomiting.
After some time, the contents of the intestine (due to its overcrowding) enter the stomach. This phenomenon gives the vomit odor characteristic of feces.
How is intestinal obstruction in children recognized ? Symptoms of this disease are as follows: a child develops constipation and increased gas formation.
At the very beginning of the development of the disease, intestinal motility usually persists. However, it can be observed even through the abdominal wall of the child. Subsequently, in a patient with intestinal obstruction, the abdomen noticeably increases, which takes an irregular shape.
Common symptoms
At different stages of development, a symptom of intestinal obstruction can manifest itself in different ways. In the process of diagnosis, the patient can detect the following symptoms:
- drop in blood pressure;
- increase in heart rate;
- dry tongue;
- filled with intestinal loops with gas and liquid, as well as an increase in their size;
- fever.
Symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction
This pathological condition develops suddenly. It manifests itself in exactly the same way as the process of intestinal dysfunction. As a result, the patient is worried about the following symptoms:
- pain in the abdomen;
- rumbling and flatulence;
- diarrhea and constipation;
- vomiting and nausea;
- shock and increased peristalsis.
It cannot be said that acute intestinal obstruction is characterized by very diverse symptoms. Usually they depend on the level of obstruction of the affected organ.
Each symptom of intestinal obstruction worries a person at the same time as others. However, the absence of any of them does not exclude the presence of the pathology in question.
Pain in an acute disease is pronounced, and from the very beginning of development. Most often, such sensations are localized under the stomach, that is, around the navel. The nature of the pain syndrome is spasmodic.
Symptom of intestinal obstruction in the form of vomiting is the most constant symptom. However, experts argue that such a phenomenon is observed only if the obstruction in the intestine is high.
With obstruction of the colon, this symptom is absent, although nausea remains. At the very beginning, vomit is only the contents of the stomach. After some time, they acquire a yellowish tint, and then turn green and even greenish-brown.
How else is acute intestinal obstruction manifested? Symptoms (treatment of this disease should take place only in a hospital) of such a pathology comes down to severe constipation. As a rule, this symptom of the disease is the latest.
It should be noted that the pathology under consideration is almost always accompanied by large losses of fluid during vomiting, as well as intoxication with the contents of the intestine.
With untimely therapy in humans, blood pressure decreases and heart rate increases. Similar signs indicate the onset of shock.
Paralytic obstruction
This form of the disease can manifest itself in the form of a progressive decrease in peristalsis and intestinal tone. As a result of this, complete paralysis of the affected organ often develops.
For paralytic obstruction are characteristic:
- pain, uniform bloating and vomiting;
- gas and stool retention.
Pain in this disease affects the entire abdomen. They are bursting in nature and do not give anywhere.
Vomiting with paralytic intestinal obstruction visits the patient repeatedly. At first, it is a gastric, and then intestinal contents. With diapedetic bleeding from the walls of the intestine and stomach, as well as acute ulcers, vomit is hemorrhagic in nature.
Severe gas formation causes chest breathing. Also, patients are diagnosed with low blood pressure, tachycardia and dry mouth.
Adhesive obstruction
How does adhesive chronic intestinal obstruction manifest itself? Symptoms of this disease should be known to all people predisposed to its occurrence. This is due to the fact that such a pathology is lying the most common. Today, there is a tendency to increase its frequency. This is due to the large number of abdominal operations.
Adhesive intestinal obstruction is classified as follows:
- obturation;
- strangulation;
- dynamic obstruction.
The first form of the disease is characterized by squeezing the intestines with adhesions. At the same time, her innervation and blood supply are not disturbed.
With the strangulation type, adhesions exert strong pressure on the mesentery of the intestine. As a result, necrosis of the affected organ is manifested. This form is divided into three different types: nodule formation, inversion and pinching.
Stages of the disease
How does intestinal obstruction in infants occur? Symptoms of this disease in children and adults depend on its stage.
According to medical practice, such a disease develops in three stages:
- Initial. It lasts about 3-12 hours, and is also accompanied by pain in the abdomen, increased peristalsis and flatulence.
- Intermediate. It lasts about 13–36 hours. At the same time, the pain syndrome subsides and the time comes for imaginary well-being. During this period, an increase in symptoms of intoxication and dehydration occurs.
- Terminal. As a rule, this stage occurs two days after the formation of the disease. The human condition is noticeably worsening. In this case, there is an increase in symptoms of dehydration, damage to internal organs and NS.
How to diagnose?
How is full or partial intestinal obstruction detected? Symptoms of this disease are quite similar to signs of other diseases occurring in the digestive tract. Therefore, when making a diagnosis, it is impossible to rely solely on external manifestations.
The main way to diagnose this pathology is an X-ray examination of the abdominal cavity, as well as a blood test. In addition, as a supplement, some experts use ultrasound.
An objective examination of the patient’s tongue is dry and coated with white coating. Also, the patient has an uneven bloating.
Obstruction in animals
How is intestinal obstruction in a dog? Symptoms of such a disease in domestic animals are practically no different from those in humans. At the first signs of the disease, you should definitely take your pet to a veterinary clinic. Only in this way can you save his life.
Treatment methods
What to do if a person has been diagnosed or if there are suspicions (even the slightest) of intestinal obstruction? In this case, he needs urgent hospitalization. Usually, such a patient is immediately sent to the surgical department.
If the patient has progressive, onset, or catastrophic dehydration, then treatment of intestinal obstruction is carried out immediately. With this diagnosis, therapeutic measures should be carried out whenever possible during the transportation of the patient.
In stationary conditions, in the absence of pronounced signs of obstruction, treatment is carried out, which includes the following measures:
- The contents of the stomach and intestines are aspirated through a thin probe, which is inserted through the nose.
- With increased peristalsis, the patient is given antispasmodics.
If a patient is diagnosed with mechanical obstruction, and conservative methods do not help, then an emergency surgery should be performed. Usually it includes:
- unwinding of twisting;
- dissection of adhesions;
- bowel resection with necrosis;
- deinvasion;
- imposition of an intestinal fistula (for the release of its contents with tumors in the colon).
After the operation, the patient expects a recovery period. It includes procedures aimed at normalizing protein and water-salt metabolism. For this purpose, specialists use intravenous administration of blood substitutes and saline solutions. They also carry out anti-inflammatory treatment and stimulate the motor-evacuation work of the digestive tract.
Food
Now you know what intestinal obstruction is (in cats, the symptoms are the same as in humans and other animals). In addition to medical and surgical treatment of such a disease, a special diet is prescribed for the patient.
After surgery for intestinal obstruction, it is forbidden to eat and drink for half a day. Sometimes the patient's nutrition occurs parenterally. Nutrient solutions are administered through a vein.
With this disease, a person is allowed to consume fermented milk products, as well as infant formulas (in frequent and very small portions).
Some time after the operation, digestible liquid products are introduced into the patient's diet. However, salt intake is limited. Then they switch to a diet that is close to table No. 4. This diet was designed to maximize the gentle effect on the intestines, as well as to reduce the fermentation process in it.
With all types of obstruction, a person should limit himself in fats, carbohydrates, smoked meats, spices, fiber, pickles and milk. All dishes served to the patient are well boiled or steamed, after which they are carefully frayed.
After some time, the diet menu expands slightly. In this case, the patient completely switches to diet No. 4. By the way, it is designed specifically for those who have intestinal diseases.
The table of people with diseases of the digestive tract should provide good nutrition, which will be especially sparing for the intestines. The diet for bowel obstruction (after recovery) becomes more diverse. At the same time, food is not rubbed, and all dishes are boiled or steamed. This will allow the diseased organ to digest it more thoroughly.
Diets with acute and chronic obstruction do not allow putrefactive and fermentation processes to develop.
It should also be noted that with this diagnosis, thermal, chemical and mechanical stimuli should be completely excluded.
To summarize
Bowel obstruction is a rather insidious disease. With untimely therapy, it often leads to death. It should also be noted that very often the only way to treat this disease is to have surgery. After it, the patient must comply with a number of doctor's recommendations aimed at restoring the body.