Bowel obstruction occurs when stool can not pass through the intestine due to interference with its course, such as the presence of intestinal flanges, tumors or inflammation, for example. In these cases, symptoms usually arise such as difficulty in evacuating or eliminating gas, belly bloating, nausea or abdominal pain.
Since the obstruction prevents the passage of food digested by the intestine, feces, intestinal gases and digestive secretions accumulate, which increases pressure within the intestine and causes the risk of serious complications such as intestinal perforation, generalized infection, and death of intestinal tissue.
Thus, if a bowel obstruction is suspected, it is advisable to seek medical attention immediately, to confirm the diagnosis, and to initiate the treatment that is normally done with the administration of fluids through the vein, passing a tube into the digestive tract or surgery, depending of gravity.
Possible symptoms
The most common symptoms of an intestinal obstruction are stopping stool and gas elimination. However, if the obstruction is partial, it is possible that gas will still be eliminated. Other common symptoms include:
- Exaggerated belly bloating;
- Abdominal pain in colic and intense;
- Decreased appetite;
- Nausea and vomiting.
The intensity of the symptoms varies according to the cause and severity of the disease causing the obstruction.
In addition, the symptoms presented may also vary according to the affected site, with vomiting and nausea being more common in small bowel obstruction, while excess gas and constipation are more frequent in obstruction of the large intestine, for example example.
How to confirm the diagnosis
Usually, to identify the problem, the doctor begins by evaluating the symptoms and palpating the belly with his hands to try to identify any changes. You can also use the stethoscope to hear if there are noises in the belly that indicate whether the bowel is working properly or not.
When intestinal obstruction is suspected, at least one diagnostic test, such as radiography or computed tomography, must be done to confirm the diagnosis and observe where the bowel is located.
Possible causes of obstruction
There are many causes that can lead to an obstruction in the gut, from mechanical causes, where there is a physical obstacle, but also a functional obstruction, which is when the bowel movements become paralyzed.
The main causes include:
- Intestinal flanges, which are adhesions of tissue on the walls of the intestine, are more common in people who have already undergone abdominal surgery. Understand how to form and how to treat abdominal flanges;
- Hernias;
- Intestinal tumor, especially in the large intestine. See a list of symptoms of bowel cancer;
- Diverticulitis;
- Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease;
- Bowel twist;
- Paralysis of the intestinal movements, called paralytic ileus, due to metabolic changes, such as lack of potassium in the blood;
- Ischemia of the intestine;
- Intestinal endometriosis;
- Worm accumulation;
- Enteritis post radiation in the treatment of cancer;
- Lead poisoning.
Some of these causes can cause a complete and abrupt bowel obstruction, leading to more severe symptoms, or only a partial or minor obstruction, when the symptoms are milder and there are fewer health risks. However, all cases need proper treatment as soon as possible.
How is the treatment done?
Treatment for bowel obstruction varies according to the location and severity of symptoms and should always be done at the hospital to avoid complications, which can be aggravated if one tries to use laxatives at home, for example.
In the case of partial obstruction, with milder symptoms, it may normally only be necessary to administer fluid into the vein to improve hydration and facilitate the passage of feces. In addition, bowel rest should also be done and, therefore, it is necessary to stay fast until the problem is resolved. Often, a tube is placed from the nose to the stomach to remove excess gas and fluid, relieving pressure in the intestine.
In more severe cases, such as in complete obstruction, in addition to previous care, surgery is also necessary to treat the cause and to clear the bowel, allowing the stool to pass again.
What are the possible risks and complications
Treatment of intestinal obstruction should be started as soon as possible to avoid possible complications such as:
- Dehydration;
- Intestinal perforation;
- Generalized infection;
- Death of a part of the intestine.
All of these complications can be life-threatening as they contribute to inflammation, generalized infection and failure of various organs. Thus, whenever there is suspicion that the bowel is not working properly should seek medical attention to identify if there is any problem that needs to be treated.
