Is intestinal blockage life-threatening?

Intestinal obstruction, also known as intestinal obstruction, is a relatively serious disease. In the early stages of the disease, it can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting and other symptoms. If it is not treated promptly, it may even lead to large-scale infection, which may endanger the patient's life. Therefore, when intestinal obstruction occurs, it is necessary to receive timely and good treatment. For example, in serious cases, surgical treatment may be required in a timely manner.

Clinical manifestations

Abdominal pain: Mechanical intestinal obstruction manifests as paroxysmal abdominal colic, which is caused by increased intestinal peristalsis in order to overcome the obstruction. The abdominal pain may be accompanied by intestinal rumbling. If the intervals between abdominal pains continue to shorten, or even become persistent abdominal pain, it may be a manifestation of strangulated intestinal obstruction. Vomiting: In the early stages of intestinal obstruction, vomiting is reflexive and the vomitus is food or gastric juice. It is generally believed that the higher the obstruction site, the earlier and more frequent the vomiting occurs; while in low-level obstruction and colon obstruction, vomiting occurs late and less frequently; the vomitus may be fecal-like.

Abdominal distension: appears later. Abdominal distension is not obvious in high intestinal obstruction, but is obvious in low intestinal obstruction and colon obstruction. The anus stops passing gas or bowel movements: After complete intestinal obstruction occurs, the patient often stops passing gas or bowel movements. However, in a small number of patients, there is still residual feces and gas below the obstruction, which can still be discharged, so the existence of intestinal obstruction cannot be denied. Physical examination generally shows an acutely distressed facial appearance, and early vital signs generally do not change much. In the late stage, symptoms such as increased body temperature, rapid breathing, decreased blood pressure, and increased pulse may appear.

treat

Western medicine treatment ① Non-surgical treatment: correct water and electrolyte imbalance and acid-base imbalance. Gastrointestinal decompression: It is one of the important methods for treating intestinal obstruction. It can absorb the gas and fluid in the gastrointestinal tract through gastrointestinal decompression, relieve abdominal distension, reduce the pressure in the intestinal cavity, reduce bacteria and toxins, and help improve local and systemic conditions. Prevention and treatment of infection: The use of antibiotics is of great significance in preventing and treating bacterial infections. ②Surgical treatment: Surgical treatment should be performed for various types of strangulated intestinal obstruction, intestinal obstruction caused by tumors and congenital malformations, as well as patients who do not respond to non-surgical treatment. The specific surgical method should be determined according to the cause, nature, location and general condition of the obstruction.

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