Intestinal Obstruction Definition

Intestinal obstruction is an illness in which an obstacle stops meals, fluids, and gases from flowing normally throughout the intestines. The obstruction may occur in either the large or small intestines and may be triggered by adhesions, tumors, hernias, intestinal twisting, or impacted fecal matter.

Pain in the abdomen, abdominal discomfort, feeling sick, throwing up, diarrhea, and difficulty passing gas all indicate intestinal obstruction. Intestinal blockage is a significant medical issue that necessitates immediate medical intervention.

Why Is Intestinal Obstruction Caused

It could be caused by adhesions, Scar tissue bands that form due to surgery, or abdominal wounds that can bind to the gut walls and produce obstructions.

• It is also caused by hernias, which are bulges caused when a part of the gut extends through a weak area in the muscles of the abdomen and remains trapped.
• Tumors, either malignant or non-cancerous, can form in the intestinal tract and obstruct the flow of waste and nutrients.
• While a portion from the intestinal tract telescopes into another, a blockage results.
• Volvulus is a disorder that causes the gut to twist on itself, resulting in a blockage and reduced blood flow.
• Impacted fecal matter is a large quantity of tough stool that can build and clog the intestines.
  
• Inflammatory and fibrosis of the intestines can result from illnesses like Crohn's illness or ulcerative colitis, resulting in obstructions.
• Swallowed items like bezoars (masses of unprocessed material) can cause intestinal obstruction.
• Congenital disabilities occur when an individual is born with gut anomalies that might cause blockages.
• Blockages within the intestines can be caused by narrowed regions caused by irritation or scarring.

Different Types of Intestinal Obstruction

There are two kinds of intestinal obstruction:

1. Mechanical Obstruction

This happens if a physical barrier in the intestinal tract stops food and waste from passing through. Adhesions, hernias, tumors, intussusception, volvulus, impacted fecal substances, foreign bodies, criticisms, and congenital anomalies can all create mechanical blockages.

2. Functional Obstruction

Although there is no visible obstruction, functional obstruction develops when there is difficulty with the skeletal muscle contractions that carry waste and food through the intestines. Nerve or muscle injuries, certain drugs, electrolyte imbalances, and hormonal abnormalities can all induce functional blockages.

Ileus, an illness in which the normal functioning of the intestines is delayed or interrupted owing to inflammatory processes, surgery, or other circumstances, is a common type of functional obstruction.

Symptoms Of an Intestinal Blockage

• Pain and cramps in the abdomen that fluctuates between periods in waves.
• Bloating or abdominal distention.
  
• Nausea and vomiting that can be caused by a projectile and contain bile or feces.
• Difficulty in producing gas or bowel movement.
• Appetite loss
• Dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities as a result of vomiting and low fluid intake.
• Loud, booming bowel sounds (sometimes termed "borborygmi") that may suggest a small intestine obstruction.
• Constipation, which can be severe and cause straining.
• In instances of partial obstruction, diarrhea may be watery or red.
• Fever or chills could be caused by an infection or inflammation caused by the obstruction.

It is crucial to remember that the signs of gastrointestinal obstruction can be confused with those of other disorders like diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome and that not all symptoms will be present in every case. If you feel like you or anyone you know is suffering from an intestinal blockage, seek medical treatment immediately.

Diagnosis Of Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal blockage is often diagnosed using a variety of physical examinations, imaging techniques, and laboratory tests. The tests required may differ depending on the presumed reason and degree of the obstruction.

The following are some frequent tests to check for intestinal obstruction:

Gastrointestinal X-ray

This can assist in discovering bowel obstructions and gas buildup.

CT Examination

This imaging technique offers additional details of the intestine and may be used to locate and diagnose the source of the obstruction.

Ultrasound Imaging

This can detect obstructions or fluid buildup in the intestines.

Blood Tests

These may be performed for evidence of illness or electrolyte imbalances.

Enema

These tests require eating or injecting a fluid covering the intestinal tract and making it visible on X-ray. They can assist in determining the precise position and the nature of the blockage.

Endoscopy

This procedure includes introducing a flexible, thin tube with an imaging device into the intestines to see and possibly treat the obstruction.

Stool Examination

This is done to check for blood or infection indications in the stool.

In rare circumstances, an intestinal obstruction diagnosis can be made based on the medical history and physical results, particularly when the blockage is complete and severe. On the other hand, imaging studies are frequently needed to verify the diagnosis and establish the right treatment.

Treatment Of Intestinal Obstruction

Let us have a look at the treatment that can be offered to patients with intestinal obstruction;

1. Hospitalization

Patients who have intestinal obstructions are admitted to hospitals. Fluids administered intravenously (in the veins), bowel rest without food (NPO), and occasionally bowel decompression using the nasogastric tube (a pipe that is placed into the nose and travels straight to the stomach) are all components of treatment.

2. Anti-Emetic

They are used to prevent vomiting and nausea; medications might be necessary.

3. Surgery

Surgery may be required if the small intestinal tract is strangulated or obstructed. Surgery aims to locate and address the intestinal obstruction's root causes. Sometimes, intestinal portions may require surgery, and it could be necessary to excision and remove the diseased portion.

Once the gut is fully clogged or the blood flow is interrupted, surgery is nearly usually required. After surgery, you might require a drainage tube or colon resection. The remaining portion of the bowel is stitched to a hole in the skin after the diseased portion is removed. Stool then exits from the body via the orifice and accumulates in an ostomy bag that is thrown away. The colostrum or ileostomy may only be present temporarily as you heal. The ostomy is healed, and the intestinal ends are reattached after you feel better.

If you fail to address the underlying health issue that led to your blockage, like a condition called diver, the blockage can recur.

Before weighing additional choices, such as surgical procedures, physicians will frequently examine a patient with complete or partial obstructions. The person should restrict their dietary intake during this time to prevent further building. To keep the patient hydrated, doctors can administer liquids intravenously, directly into the vein.

4. Nasogastric Pipe (NG)

This little tube enters the stomach through the nose. Suction is reduced in the stomach by removing gas and trapped fluid. NG reduces pain and nausea. The majority of bowel blockages are minor partial obstructions that resolve on their own. While gases and fluids are removed, the NG tube might aid in the bowel becoming unblocked. Some patients might require more care. Enemas, stents, or any other small mesh tubes are some procedures used to remove the obstruction.

Intestinal Blockage Complications

Therapy is necessary to prevent problems like dehydration, deficiency of electrolytes, and intestinal perforation, which can result in infections and renal failure.

Infection may result if the obstruction prevents blood from reaching a section of the gut.

• Cell death
• Gastrointestinal laceration
• A potentially fatal infection of the blood is sepsis.
• Death from several organ failures
• Intestinal obstruction in children
• Infections are the most common cause of intestinal blockage in babies.
• Organ conditions
• Reduced circulation to the intestine

After getting the stomach flu, the issue affects some kids, and their intestines may get inflamed.

The most vulnerable age group for intussusception is children under two years old. This happens when a section of their bowel slips or falls into another part, obstructing their gut.

Infants cannot express their symptoms, making diagnosing any form of intestinal obstruction difficult. Parents should instead watch their kids closely for any changes or symptoms that might point to a blockage.

These symptoms include gastrointestinal swelling, taking the knees up to the chest area, being overly sleepy, suffering a high body temperature, grunting in discomfort, passing blood-looking stools (which are also referred to as current jelly stools), crying out loudly, vomiting, especially yellow-green bile-like vomiting, and showing signs of weakness.

You should take your child to the doctor immediately if you detect any of these symptoms or any changes in them.

Prevention Of Intestinal Obstruction

1. Eat smaller meals more often: Your body can absorb small snack-sized portions better than a full meal, which may be what you're used to. Eat between four and six times per day, every two hours.
2. Eat till you're satisfied but not yet "full": Eating less can lessen the possibility of unprocessed food entering the small intestinal tract, possibly causing a blockage.
3. Eat mindfully and gently: Eat in a calm environment at all times to ensure normal digestion. Your body will digest food more easily the more completely you chew it. Cook whatever you consume until it is soft and moist.
4. Chew properly: Something that is challenging to chew is also challenging to digest. Numerous fibrous foods like celeriac, beans sprouts, stringy veggies, and fruits like pineapple and rhubarb are difficult for the human body to digest. Your small bowel may become obstructed as a result of this fiber accumulation. Similarly, your body has a tougher time digesting foods that are processed. Steak, in particular, takes a long time to digest from meats.
5. Take in a lot of water: Your digestive tract runs more smoothly when you drink water. A mug of water before, during, and after each meal may aid in preventing blockage. Aim to consume between eight and ten glasses of drinking water daily.
6. Cook veggies thoroughly: You might have heard that veggies are more nutrient-dense when eaten raw. Raw foods, on the other hand, can make your small intestinal blockage symptoms worse.
7. Select canned foods mindfully: Choose canned foods like carrots, squash, tomatoes, and broccoli that have been fully cooked and have additionally had their seeds and peels taken. Once prepared, frozen vegetables?especially peas, carrots, and potatoes?can also be a great choice.
8. Eliminate leafy greens like spinach & cabbage, stringy veggies like celery & asparagus, and veggies with hard outer skins like eggplant and green or red chili.
9. Limit your coffee and alcohol intake: Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages may irritate your gut. Alcohol and caffeine are diuretics that can promote dehydration, resulting in additional gastrointestinal issues. Although it is decaffeinated, caffeine itself can irritate your bowel.
10. Give up smoking: Smoking increases your risk of developing Crohn's disease and other bowel conditions that can cause small intestine blockage. Additionally, smokers experience more severe symptoms than non-smokers and need surgery more frequently to treat these illnesses.

Conclusion

When either the large or small intestine is blocked, food, liquids, and gas cannot move through, which results in intestinal obstruction, a significant medical disease.

Numerous things, such as tumors, ruptured intestine adhesions, and impacted stools, can contribute to its development. It may result in intestinal ischemia, electrolyte imbalances, and dehydration if unattended. If you encounter gastrointestinal symptoms, getting medical help right once is critical. Early detection and intervention can lessen problems and enhance results.