Causes and symptoms of intestinal obstruction in adults, treatment and rehabilitation
Intestinal obstruction is a dangerous condition for health and life. The pathology is included in the so-called acute surgical five and requires immediate medical assistance. To avoid serious consequences, it is worth knowing the symptoms of intestinal obstruction in adults and children.
Why intestinal obstruction develops
The essence of the pathological condition is that there are obstacles to the passage of a food lump through the intestines. The following factors may be the reason:
- entry of foreign elements, accumulation of worms, hematoma;
- compression of the lumen of the intestine by tumors (benign or malignant), located outside or inside;
- accumulation of gallstones in the intestinal lumen;
- intestinal twist;
- adhesion disease or scar growth;
- paralysis of the intestinal muscles.
The causes of intestinal obstruction in a child are similar, but the most frequent of them are the accumulation of fecal masses and the entry of a foreign object.
Manifestations of pathology
In medicine, the clinical picture of the disease is divided into three stages, each of which has characteristic signs.
The first stage
It lasts the first 12 hours and is characterized by a pain syndrome. If intestinal obstruction is caused by a mechanical blockage of the intestine, then the pain will be paroxysmal. Infrequently, when contacting a doctor at this stage, an incomplete blockage is diagnosed. In this case, the patient will be prescribed a diet with partial intestinal obstruction.
In the case of the formation of a twist, loops and other changes, the pain can be very strong. It rarely goes away and in some cases can provoke loss of consciousness and painful shock.
At the first stage of the disease, nausea and vomiting are extremely rare, only in case of obstruction of the small intestine by some object.
Many patients at the first stage of the development of pathology take painkillers, antispasmodics, thus trying to normalize their well-being. Unfortunately, this does not bring relief, and the symptoms of adhesion intestinal obstruction, on the contrary, become more intense.
The second stage
It covers the period from 12 to 24 hours from the onset of intestinal obstruction. The patient experiences severe pain attacks, and the intestines stop performing their functions. The result is bloating, continuous vomiting and rapid dehydration of the body. Seeking medical help at this stage is already considered too late, complications can almost never be avoided. However, there are chances for recovery and restoration of working capacity.
The third stage
The most difficult stage. The patient has:
- tachycardia and increased respiratory rate;
- complete absence of urine;
- hyperthermia (increased body temperature).
When examining such a patient, doctors may note the presence of signs of peritonitis and sepsis, the absence of fecal matter and gases.
The third stage of intestinal obstruction is always difficult and rapid. It is not uncommon for a patient to rapidly develop poisoning with toxins, progressing sepsis, which leads to a malfunction of all organs and systems of the body. The result of such a course of pathology in almost every case is the same - fatal.
How to treat intestinal obstruction
Ukrainian doctors rarely resort to therapeutic measures. Such a decision can be made only at an early stage of the development of the pathology and under the condition of timely diagnosis. The conservative method is used to treat intestinal obstruction in elderly people who are contraindicated for surgical intervention, but, again, only at the initial stage of the disease.
As part of therapeutic treatment, the following are prescribed:
- pumping of the contents of the stomach and intestines through a special probe;
- siphon-type enemas;
- spasmolytics.
In addition, conservative treatment involves a colonoscopy, during which doctors often manage to eliminate the cause of the development of the acute condition in question - for example, a gallstone is washed out or an intestinal loop is straightened.
How to treat acute intestinal obstruction? Here there is only one solution: immediate surgical intervention and elimination of the cause of the pathology. Forecasts will depend only on how quickly and correctly the operation will be performed. Intestinal obstruction disappears after the operation, but the patient needs a long rehabilitation period. At this time, the patient is recommended:
- regular check-ups with a doctor (to avoid relapses);
- a course of antibiotic therapy;
- compliance with strict dietary restrictions.
The consequences of obstruction of the small intestine, like the large one, can be quite serious. When seeking medical help late, surgeons have to remove part of the intestine, which, of course, will affect the patient's future life.
All information about the signs of pathology and what to do in case of obstruction in newborn children can be obtained from qualified surgeons. You can make an appointment with them online on the pages of our site Dobrobut.com.
Related services:
Gastroenterologist consultation
Dobrobut Emergency Surgery Center
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