Intestinal obstruction is a medical condition where there is a functional blockage in the intestines, preventing the passage of contents through the digestive tract, which results in intestinal paralysis.
Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction:
The symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
Abdominal discomfort.
Severe constipation.
Intense pain.
Loss of appetite.
Inability to pass stool.
Causes and Risk Factors of Intestinal Obstruction:
The causes of intestinal obstruction include:
Adhesions, often resulting from previous surgeries.
Strangulated hernia.
Tumors, such as colon cancer.
Polyps.
Congenital defects.
Intestinal volvulus (twisting).
Foreign objects.
Complications of Intestinal Obstruction:
Intestinal obstruction may lead to several complications, including:
1. Bowel Damage: There can be severe bloating of the intestines, reducing the blood supply, which may result in a perforation. This allows the contents of the intestine to leak into the abdominal cavity, potentially causing severe peritonitis, an inflammation of the abdominal lining, which can be fatal.
2. Damage to Other Organs: Blocked intestines can cause significant fluid accumulation within the intestines, leading to bloating of the intestinal walls. The source of these fluids is extracellular, which the body requires to maintain healthy circulation. This fluid loss can result in severe dehydration, which may progress to hypovolemic shock.
Diagnosis of Intestinal Obstruction:
The diagnosis is made through:
Medical history review.
Evaluation of symptoms such as pain, abdominal distension, and the inability to pass stool or gas.
Assessing the severity of pain, as it tends to be more intense in mechanical obstructions.
Duration of pain, as continuous pain lasting for hours may indicate hernia or bowel twisting.
Reviewing any pre-existing conditions, such as chronic bowel inflammation.
Checking the patient's medication, as certain drugs, including some psychiatric medications, can affect bowel function.
Physical examination, which helps the physician assess the general condition of the patient.
Simple X-rays and a standing or supine abdominal scan are used to diagnose the presence of any bowel obstructions.
Treatment of Intestinal Obstruction:
Treatment begins once the condition is accurately diagnosed and can involve the following:
1. Conservative Treatment for Intestinal Obstruction:
Fluid Replacement: Administering fluids intravenously or via a special tube placed into the stomach.
Gastric Decompression: Using a small tube to suction the digestive tract’s secretions, which helps relieve pressure on the abdominal organs and intestinal walls.
2. Surgical Treatment for Intestinal Obstruction: Surgery is required if there is a strangulated hernia or if a tumor causes obstruction in the large intestine. Key aspects of the surgical approach include:
The surgeon identifies the site of obstruction, often easily locating it due to significant swelling in the intestines before the point of obstruction.
Surgery may involve cutting adhesions, removing a polyp or tumor from the small intestine, or repairing a hernia. In some cases, multiple surgeries may be necessary.
If the obstruction is in the left colon, close to the rectum, one surgical procedure may not be enough to resolve the blockage. Multiple staged surgeries may be required.
Recovery after surgery depends on factors like the patient's age, general health, the duration of the obstruction before surgery, and the type of surgery performed.
Most patients can return to normal life without any disabilities, unless a large section of the intestine was removed, though the issue may recur, and side effects such as gas can occur.
Prevention of Intestinal Obstruction:
There are no specific ways to prevent intestinal obstruction, as it has numerous causes