Intestinal obstruction

Causes and symptoms of intestinal obstruction

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What is intestinal obstruction?

Intestinal obstruction – diseases in which disrupted the process of evacuating substances from the intestine. It is especially common among vegetarians and can be dynamic or mechanical.

At the first suspicion of intestinal obstruction, you should immediately consult the surgeon for help. Only he can make a final diagnosis and recommend necessary treatment. To stop the choice only on the national methods alone is very dangerous. Without timely medical aid the patient can die.

The causes of intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction can be the result of spasm (paresis) in the intestine. Enhanced peristalsis sometimes leads to the inversion of an individual section of the colon. In this case, the surgical intervention the patient can not be avoided. The lumen of the intestine may be closed by a tumor or any foreign body, preventing advancement of the content. Recently transferred peritonitis, complicated by adhesive disease can also cause bowel obstruction. Pediatrics typical reasons are, in addition, malformations, and improper diet, not corresponding to the age peculiarities of the child.

Depending on the cause of the disease is divided into mechanical and dynamic obstruction. Mechanical obstruction in turn is divided into obstructive and strangulation. In the first case there is a blockage of the bowel lumen foreign body, tumor, undigested food. In the second gut clamped under the action of external factors: adhesions, volvulus of the intestine, the circular folds (intussusception), developmental disorders of the body. This affected the mesentery and blood vessels responsible for blood flow to particular area of the intestine, which often causes gangrene.

Dynamic obstruction is the result of increased muscle tone of the intestinal muscles. Such spasms may develop paresis of the muscles and carry a paralytic nature. The reason for this phenomenon may be a reflex reaction for kidney stones, heart attack, diseases of the Central nervous system. Sometimes paresis occurs after surgery or as a side effect of certain drugs.

In Pediatrics spastic obstruction is rare, but occurs in helminth infection. In toxicology spasm of the intestinal muscles is characteristic of lead poisoning.

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction usually begins with a sharp, rise, cramping pain in the abdomen and accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Over time the contents of the intestine begins to enter the stomach, vomit, nevertheless, have a characteristic unpleasant odor of feces. Experience constipation and flatulence. Peristalsis of the intestine at the initial stage is saved, it can be observed through the abdominal wall. The stomach takes an irregular shape, rapidly growing swelling.

When examination revealed the following symptoms: increased heart rate, drop in blood pressure, dryness of the tongue. On x-ray you can see the enlarged loops of intestines filled with gas and liquid (bowl kloybera). Necrosis of the intestine and peritonitis have also been accompanied by an increase in temperature.

Treatment of intestinal obstruction

Diagnosis and treatment of intestinal obstruction is carried out in the surgical Department. Conservative methods are applied in the absence of peritonitis. Apply symptomatic treatment: pain relief, removal of intoxication, carry out cleaning of the intestine with an enema, wash stomach, restores water-salt balance.

The ineffectiveness of the above methods of treatment do surgery. The damaged section of the intestine revived, or cut, eliminating the obstruction.