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 movement of chyme through the intestines. Such a pathological condition requires urgent intervention from specialists, as it threatens the patient's life.
Causes of development in babies
How is intestinal obstruction in children? The symptoms of this disease in newborns are not much different from those in adults.
According to the statements of doctors, all segments of the population are susceptible to such a disease. This pathological condition can occur in both newborns and the elderly.
Usually in infants, intestinal obstruction is the result of abnormal intrauterine development. It can manifest itself as a result of a narrowing of the intestinal lumen, or the so-called stenosis, esophageal atresia, incompletebowel rotation, duplication of the gut (i.e. duplication of the intestine) and neuronal dysplasia of the intestinal walls.
Why does it occur in adults?
Now you know why intestinal obstruction develops in newborns. The 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 surgeries and injuries;
- adhesive processes in the peritoneum that arose after inflammatory diseases;
- tumors in the abdominal cavity or in the retroperitoneal space;
- nodulation in the intestine, where there is a long and mobile mesentery;
- intestinal malformations;
- intra-abdominal pressure due to excessive exercise;
- unbalanced diet, as well as nutrition with a violation of the meal schedule and its quantity.
Types of diseases
The symptom of intestinal obstruction can 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:
- congenital;
- acquired.
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 isresult of the development mechanism. The group of this species includes a dynamic or so-called functional type of obstruction with a paralytic and spastic form. The first is a consequence of paralysis and intestinal paresis. 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 spasms of the intestine. Such a disease is the result of helminthic invasions 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, and also growing in nature. This condition contributes to nausea and subsequent vomiting.
After some time, the contents of the intestine (due to its overcrowding) enters the stomach. This phenomenon gives the vomit a smell characteristic of feces.
How is intestinal obstruction diagnosed in children? The symptoms of this disease are as follows: the child develops constipation and increased gas formation.
At the very beginning of the development of the disease, intestinal motility is usually preserved. At the same time, it can be observed even through the abdominal wall of the child. Subsequently, in a patient with intestinal obstruction, the abdomen noticeably enlarges, which takes on an irregular shape.
Generalsigns
At different stages of development, the symptom of intestinal obstruction may manifest itself in different ways. During the diagnostic process, the patient can detect the following signs:
- drop in blood pressure;
- increase in heart rate;
- dry tongue;
- filled intestinal loops with gas and liquid, as well as an increase in their size;
- increased body temperature.
Symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction
Such a pathological condition develops suddenly. It manifests itself in exactly the same way as the process of intestinal dysfunction. As a result, the patient is concerned about the following symptoms:
- pain in the abdomen;
- rumbling and flatulence;
- diarrhea and constipation;
- vomiting and nausea;
- shock and increased peristalsis.
It is impossible not to say that acute intestinal obstruction is characterized by very diverse symptoms. They usually 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 acute illness is pronounced, and from the very beginning of development. Most often, such sensations are localized under the spoon, that is, around the navel. The nature of the pain syndrome is spasmodic.
The 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 obstacle inintestine is high.
With obstruction of the colon, this sign is absent, although nausea remains. At the very beginning, vomit is just the contents of the stomach. After a while, they turn yellowish, 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 are reduced to severe constipation. As a rule, this sign of the disease is the latest.
It should also be noted that the pathology in question is almost always accompanied by large fluid losses during vomiting, as well as intoxication with intestinal contents.
With untimely therapy, a person's blood pressure decreases and the pulse rate increases. These signs point to the onset of a shock.
Paralytic ileus
This form of the disease can manifest itself as a progressive decrease in peristalsis and intestinal tone. As a result, 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 ileus visits the patient many times. At first it represents the gastric, and then the intestinalcontent. With diapedetic bleeding from the walls of the intestine and stomach, as well as acute ulcers, vomit is hemorrhagic.
Expressed flatulence 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? The 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 the most common. To date, there is a tendency to increase its frequency. This is due to the high number of abdominal surgeries.
Adhesive ileus is classified as follows:
- obturation;
- strangulation;
- dynamic obstruction.
The first form of the disease is characterized by compression of the intestine by adhesions. At the same time, its innervation and blood supply are not disturbed.
With the strangulation type of adhesions, strong pressure is exerted on the mesentery of the intestine. As a result, necrosis of the affected organ appears. This form is divided into three different types: knotting, twisting and pinching.
Stages of disease
How does intestinal obstruction occur in infants? 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.sensations 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 of imaginary well-being comes. During this period, there is an increase in symptoms of intoxication and dehydration.
- Terminal. As a rule, this stage occurs two days after the formation of the disease. The human condition is deteriorating markedly. In this case, there is an increase in symptoms of dehydration, damage to internal organs and the National Assembly.
How to diagnose?
How is complete or partial intestinal obstruction detected? The symptoms of this disease are quite similar to those of other diseases occurring in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, when making a diagnosis, it is impossible to rely only 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, some specialists use ultrasound as an adjunct.
At an objective examination, the patient's tongue is dry and covered with a white coating. The patient also has irregular bloating.
Obstruction in animals
How does intestinal obstruction manifest in a dog? Symptoms of this disease in pets are practically no different from those in humans. At the first sign of illness, you should definitely take your pet to the veterinary clinic. This is the only way you can keep him alive.
Treatment methods
Whatto do if a person has been diagnosed or 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, advancing or catastrophic dehydration, then the treatment of intestinal obstruction is carried out immediately. With such a diagnosis, therapeutic measures should, if possible, be carried out during the period of transportation of the patient.
In stationary conditions, in the absence of pronounced signs of mechanical obstruction, treatment is carried out, which includes the following activities:
- The contents of the stomach and intestines are aspirated through a thin tube inserted through the nose.
- With increased peristalsis, the patient is given antispasmodics.
If a patient is diagnosed with a mechanical obstruction, and conservative methods do not help, then an emergency surgical operation should be performed. It usually includes:
- roll up;
- dissection of adhesions;
- resection of the intestine with necrosis;
- deinvagination;
- imposition of an intestinal fistula (to release its contents in tumors in the colon).
After the operation, the patient expects a recovery period. It includes procedures aimed at normalizing protein and water-s alt metabolism. For this purpose, specialists use intravenous administration of blood substitutes and saline solutions. Also anti-inflammatory treatment andstimulate the motor-evacuation work of the digestive tract.
Food
Now you know what intestinal obstruction is (cats have the same symptoms as humans and other animals). In addition to medical and surgical treatment of such a disease, the patient is also prescribed a special diet.
After surgery for intestinal obstruction, it is forbidden to eat and drink for half a day. Sometimes the patient is fed parenterally. He is given nutrient solutions through a vein.
With this disease, a person is allowed to consume sour-milk products, as well as infant formula (frequent and very small portions).
Some time after the operation, easily digestible liquid foods are introduced into the patient's diet. At the same time, s alt intake is limited. Then they switch to a diet that is close to table number 4. This diet was designed to be as gentle as possible on the intestines, as well as reduce the fermentation process in it.
With any kind of obstruction, a person should limit himself to fats, carbohydrates, smoked meats, spices, fiber, pickles and milk. All dishes served to the patient are well boiled or steamed, after which they are thoroughly ground.
After some time, the diet menu expands a little. In this case, the patient completely switches to diet number 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 a fullfood that will be especially gentle on the intestines. The diet for intestinal obstruction (after recovery) becomes more diverse. In this case, the food is not wiped, and all dishes are boiled or steamed. This will allow the diseased organ to digest it more thoroughly.
Diets for acute and chronic obstruction do not allow putrefactive and fermentative processes to develop.
It should also be noted that with such a diagnosis, irritants of the thermal, chemical and mechanical type should be completely excluded.
Summarize
Intestinal 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 perform a surgical operation. After it, the patient is obliged to follow a number of doctor's recommendations aimed at restoring the body.
