Digestive system diseases are very common in the modern world. The reason for this is an incorrect lifestyle, along with non-compliance with the diet and so on. In this regard, it is very important to detect a specialist in a timely manner when a violation is detected in the body. Obstruction of the stomach is acquired or congenital. This disease also comes in two forms: acute and chronic. So, we will understand in detail why it is precisely people who have obstruction, what are its symptoms and how to get rid of it.
Main reasons
Very often, the cause of obstruction of the stomach is the presence of benign or malignant tumor processes. The chances of detecting a blockage depend on what stage of the cancer the pathological process is at. In this case, one of the fatal factors may be a decrease in the healthy functioning of the organ due to a fatal change in the structure of its internal walls.
Another case that results in obstruction of food in the stomach is a peptic ulcer. Against the background of this process, pathologically altered tissue narrows the passage into the intestine and becomes an obstacle to the normal functioning of the entire digestive system.
Provocative factors
There are also several factors against which patients often develop gastric obstruction. They are:
- The presence of a hernia of the abdomen or adhesive disease.
- With invagination, when one part of the intestine is introduced into the lumen of the other.
- With bezoar, when a foreign body is present in the stomach.
- Against the background of progressive tuberculosis of the digestive system.
- Against the background of inflammation of the diverticulum, that is, with an inflammatory process in the intestine.
- With fistulas, which are pathological holes in the lumen of the stomach or intestines.
Obstruction of the stomach in newborns
Intestinal obstruction in infants can be difficult due to the fact that intestinal motility is impaired or there is some kind of mechanical obstruction along the passage of feces. This can be deadly.
Congenital obstruction occurs due to pathological narrowing of the lumen at the border between the stomach and intestines. This pathology is also called pyloric stenosis. This is the main reason for the delay and difficult patency of breast milk or mixture in the first weeks of the baby's life. As a result, two weeks after the start of feeding, frequent regurgitation in large volumes can be observed.
Another reason is the atypical structure of the intestines in the baby or a lot of "loops".
Observations of scientists
Modern scientists have come to the conclusion that gastric obstruction can occur regardless of the age of the patient. This phenomenon can be observed even in newborns.
With age, of course, the risks of such a disease increase, since over the years, the performance of a number of digestive organs in humans deteriorates significantly. But babies also have the possibility of obstruction, since their stomach is not yet adapted to the usual food for adults and is therefore so vulnerable.
In newborns, such a phenomenon as gastric obstruction can be caused by untimely introduced complementary foods. Very rarely, birth defects that are responsible for the digestive process can also be observed in the structure of organs. Scientists also know cases of clogging of the children's stomach due to fever or infectious pathologies.
Symptoms in the presence of cancer in the stomach
In the presence of obstruction of the stomach, the symptomatology directly depends on what stage the disease is at. The most common sign by which something is wrong is abundant vomiting. Due to the fact that foods cannot enter the intestines, they are thrown out. Against this background, the released masses are distinguished by an unpleasant and putrid odor. Often, as mentioned earlier, the cause of such obstruction can be large malignant gastric neoplasms (tumors), which eventually atrophy the organ.
With obstruction of the stomach in cancer, the patient will constantly feel a feeling of nausea, and in addition, he will also be accompanied by heaviness after eating along with copious vomiting. Against this background, undigested food remnants with mucus with a green tint and blood clots can be in the vomit.
Common symptoms of obstruction of the stomach
Pathology can cause the following symptoms in people:
- A sharp decrease in weight, which may be accompanied by an absolute loss of appetite.
- Decrease in overall performance and mental abilities.
- The appearance of apathy and excessive weakness.
- The occurrence of blanching of the skin.
- The appearance of a constant feeling of heaviness immediately after each meal.
- The presence of soreness in the abdomen.
- The presence of sharp pain in the stomach.
Diagnosis of pathology
In order to determine the presence of obstruction of the stomach in adults, today some special research methods are used. For example, the most effective and most important of these are radiography and fibrogastroscopy using a contrast agent. During the procedure, the doctor examines in detail the obstacles that have arisen against the passage of the food lump, and in addition, describes the general condition of the stomach. In order to clarify the diagnosis, a biopsy is also done, which involves the intravital extraction of a small part of the tissue from the patient’s organ.
Using a radiographic contrast method is also a very informative diagnostic technique. In the framework of this study, the doctor checks the physiological narrowing of the stomach along with its shape and shape, and in conclusion, conclusions are drawn about the causes of obstruction of the organ. In the event that the screen shows that the contrast component completely fills the lumen of the organ, this may indicate stenosis of the stomach, which arose as a result of peptic ulcer.
If uneven and curved outlines of the organ are noticeable, and its physiological narrowing is located in any department, then it may well be about the presence of a tumor formation. Some forms of oncology can have such a negative effect on the structure of the organ that the stomach walls look constricted, because of this the lumen narrows even more, and a specific form is created directly during fluoroscopy, which is also called the “gun holster”.
Now we turn to the treatment of obstruction of the stomach and find out what therapeutic methods are used to combat the disease.
Treatment of pathology against a background of peptic ulcer
In the event that a manifestation of obstruction of the stomach is found at home, then you need to know how to properly provide first aid. With the slow development of the disease, special efforts and any specific actions are not recommended. In the event that abundant vomiting occurs, the patient must be provided with a bowl, napkins, and so on. You should also give the patient drink green tea. Normal strong black tea is also suitable. Further, the patient is required to ensure hospitalization. In the clinic, immediately after the diagnosis and final clarification of the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe an individual treatment.
In the event that the result of the study is the detection of peptic ulcer, there are several treatment methods:
- Removal of small branches of the vagus nerve. After such manipulation, the patient will increase the production of gastric juice.
- The installation of drainage in the digestive system, in which release the narrowing of the pylorus.
Often, both of these options are used comprehensively.
Oncology Therapy
In which case is surgery still being performed for obstruction of the stomach?
In case of detection of a malignant tumor in the stomach (when there is abundant vomiting), patients are subject to mandatory surgery, which will be based on amputation, that is, removal of part of the organ (stomach). In the event that metastasis to neighboring organs is detected during laboratory diagnosis, the doctor will additionally prescribe painkillers along with nutrition, which will occur using sounding. Food such as liquid broths with mashed vegetables and the like is introduced.
Thus, gastric obstruction is a very serious pathology, which is characterized by malfunctions in the movement of products through the digestive system from the stomach cavity. This phenomenon provokes dangerous situations when food stagnates and the stomach walls are greatly stretched. In this case, pathological processes begin to occur in the stomach cavity. Among other things, there is a violation in the supply of a sufficient amount of oxygen. In addition, against the background of such processes, irregular circulation occurs in the region of the organ.
It is important to keep in mind that if at least one of the above symptoms is detected, it is urgent to consult a specialist, as untimely therapy can lead to fatal consequences. It should also be remembered that prophylactic methods are currently the most important link in health, so as not to get sick with such pathologies.