Intestinal obstruction symptoms and treatment

The human body relies on the digestive system to digest the food it eats, and the gastrointestinal function is to absorb the nutrients needed for rest during digestion. Therefore, we can see the importance of gastrointestinal health. Intestinal obstruction is a serious threat to gastrointestinal health, because intestinal obstruction refers to the obstruction of the intestinal contents in the intestine, which causes abdominal cramps, vomiting, bloating, anal gas and defecation, etc. So what are the symptoms of intestinal obstruction and how should it be treated? Let's find out together below.

1. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction:

1. Abdominal pain

Most patients with intestinal obstruction have abdominal pain as the main and initial symptom. In patients with acute complete mechanical small bowel obstruction, abdominal pain manifests as paroxysmal colic, which is caused by strong peristalsis of the intestine above the obstruction site. It is mostly located in the middle of the abdomen, often occurs suddenly, gradually intensifies to a peak, lasts for a few minutes and then eases. The interval can be completely painless, but it may recur after a period of time.

2. Vomiting

Almost all patients with intestinal obstruction vomit. In the early stage, it is reflex vomiting, and the vomiting is mostly gastric contents. In the later stage, it is reflux vomiting, which varies depending on the location of the obstruction. The higher the location, the more frequent and severe the vomiting.

3. Abdominal distension

It is a symptom that appears later, and its severity is related to the site of obstruction. High small intestinal obstruction often does not cause obvious abdominal distension due to frequent vomiting; low small intestinal obstruction or colon obstruction in the late stage often causes significant abdominal distension.

4. Stop defecation and gas discharge from the anus

In complete intestinal obstruction, the patient will no longer have bowel movements or pass flatus.

5. Systemic symptoms

Patients with simple intestinal obstruction generally have no obvious systemic symptoms, but those with frequent vomiting and severe abdominal distension may be dehydrated, and those with low blood potassium and blood sodium may have symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, weakness and arrhythmia. Patients with strangulated intestinal obstruction have the most significant systemic symptoms. They suffer from dehydration in the early stages and quickly go into a state of shock.

2. Treatment of intestinal obstruction:

1. Correct dehydration, electrolyte loss and acid-base imbalance.

2. Gastrointestinal decompression

Decompression through gastrointestinal intubation can lead out swallowed gas and retained fluid, relieve intestinal distension, avoid aspiration pneumonia, relieve vomiting, improve circulation and respiratory distress symptoms caused by abdominal distension, and to a certain extent improve congestion, edema and blood circulation in the intestine above the obstruction.

3. Control infection and sepsis

When intestinal obstruction lasts too long or strangulation occurs, due to bacterial translocation, the blood, intestinal wall and peritoneum are often infected with multiple bacteria. It is very important to actively use broad-spectrum antibiotic intravenous drip treatment with a focus on Gram-negative bacteria and anaerobic bacteria.

4. Relieve obstruction and restore intestinal function

Non-surgical treatment can be used for general simple mechanical intestinal obstruction, especially early incomplete intestinal obstruction, such as intestinal obstruction caused by ascaris, fecal blockage or inflammatory adhesion.