Small bowel (intestine) obstruction (blockage)

Abdomen | Gastroenterology | Small bowel (intestine) obstruction (blockage) (Disease)


Description

Intestinal obstruction is partial or complete blockage of the intestine that prevents propel its contents. Blocking may occur in the small bowels. In severe cases, obstruction can disrupt the blood supply to the intestine, this process is called ischemic bowel or bowel strangulation and requires emergency treatment.

Severe pain continues in the area may indicate sanguine flow interruption in the gut. This process is called strangulation and requires emergency treatment. Bowel obstruction usually cause vomiting. Vomiting color is green if the obstruction is in the upper small intestine and brown if the obstruction is in the lower. Inability to eliminate gas and constipation are common signs of bowel obstruction. However, partial obstruction may occur with diarrhea and transit of small amounts of gas. If complete obstruction, bowel movements may be present if there is obstruction downstream fecal. Obstructions can cause abdominal distension in the lower abdomen.

Causes and Risk factors

Intestinal obstruction can be caused by tumors, twisting or narrowing of the bowel and the formation of scar tissue (adhesions), they are called mechanical obstructions. Intestinal occlusion can occur when bowel movements (movements of the digestive tract caused by its muscles, facilitating propel content at that level) stops due to inflammation or infection or as a result aunui adverse effects to certain drugs. Mechanical obstructions in the small intestine are most commonly caused by the formation of scar tissue (adhesions).

Other causes include hernias, Crohns disease and cancer. In the large intestine, mechanical occlusion most commonly caused by cancer. Other causes are torsion intestinal lumen narrowing due to diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease, severe constipation caused by hardened feces and telescoping, a loop of bowel is folded as a telescope. Most of the small bowel obstructions cause abdominal cramps located around the navel. If the blockage lasts a certain period of time, pain may improve because the intestine no longer contract.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In complete obstruction, your doctor may hear high pitched noises with a stethoscope, sharp. Noise decreases in intensity with slow intestinal transit.

In the hospital, the doctor will give medicine and fluids through a vein (IV). To help the patient stay comfortable, the doctor may place a tiny tube called a nasogastric (NG) tube through your nose and down into your stomach. The tube removes fluids and gas and helps relieve pain and pressure. The patient will not be given anything to eat or drink.

Most bowel obstructions are partial blockages that get better on their own. Some people may need more treatment. These treatments include using liquids or air (enemas) or small mesh tubes (stents) to open up the blockage. Surgery is almost always needed when the intestine is completely ...