What is intestinal obstruction and why does it occur? | Symptoms and method of diagnosis

Pending review by Darmankade medical team

Intestinal obstruction is an emergency medical condition that can The natural course of a person's life is negatively affected. Most people experience this disease in the early stages with a feeling of abdominal fullness, severe bloating and changes in bowel movements. The symptoms may gradually become more severe and if not diagnosed in time, they may cause serious complications or even be life-threatening. If you have encountered strange changes in your bowel movements in the past few days, join us in this article from Darmankade Health Magazine to talk more about the symptoms, causes and methods of diagnosing bowel obstruction.

List Content

• What is intestinal obstruction?
• blockage What does the gut feel like?
• Types of Obstruction Intestine
  • 1- Obstruction of the small intestine
  • 2- Colon obstruction
• Intestinal obstruction symptoms E
  • • 1 Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction
    • Is intestinal obstruction dangerous?
    • Obstruction detection method Intestine
      • Method of Obstruction Intestine
    • Is intestinal obstruction cancer?
    • Frequently Asked Questions

    What is intestinal obstruction?

    What is intestinal obstruction? Also known as ileus in medical terms, it is a condition in which the normal flow of intestinal contents stops or is very slow. This blockage can occur in the small intestine or large intestine. The intestines are responsible for transporting digested food and waste from the stomach to the rectum. These waste materials must be removed from the body through feces. Obstruction in any part of the intestinal tract slows down the movement of waste materials or stops digestive processes. In such conditions, food, liquids, stomach acid and gases collect behind the area involved in the obstruction and can damage the intestinal tissue. This obstruction makes the proper functioning of the intestine difficult, and if you do not go to a gastroenterologist in time, it can cause serious complications.

    What does intestinal obstruction feel like?

    Paying attention to the symptoms of intestinal obstruction, changing your lifestyle, and seeing a doctor immediately reduce the possibility of serious complications.

    This complication is felt in different ways depending on which intestine it affects. Most people report that the pain caused by a bowel obstruction is similar to severe abdominal pain and cramping. If the obstruction occurs in the small intestine, the pain occurs in short, intermittent waves and is felt every few minutes. In fact, the pain is mostly concentrated in one spot. While the pain caused by large intestine obstruction is continuous and is felt scattered.

    Types of intestinal obstruction

    Doctors usually divide this condition into the following 2 categories depending on which intestine is affected:

    1- Small intestine obstruction

    Approximately 80% of obstructions occur in the small intestine. The small intestine is connected to the stomach on one side and to the large intestine on the other side, and while transporting digested food to the large intestine, it plays an important role in breaking down food and absorbing water and nutrients from it. The large intestine includes the colon and the rectum. In the large intestine, the process of absorption of nutrients that started in the small intestine continues. Also, water and food in this intestine become waste materials and the body expels them as feces.

    Other types of intestinal obstruction include the following:

    • Complete obstruction: A part of the intestine is completely blocked and solids, liquids, and gases cannot pass through. It is difficult or impossible to expel feces and gases in such conditions.
    • Partial obstruction: A part of the intestine becomes partially blocked and narrowed. This complication slows down the movement of solids, liquids and gases, but does not stop them completely. People in such conditions usually experience symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, and diarrhea.
    • False obstruction: Pseudo-obstruction of the intestine is a rare condition in which you experience symptoms of intestinal obstruction without actually having an obstruction. This happens when intestinal muscle or nerve problems prevent the normal movement of food, liquids, and gas through the intestines.

    Intestinal Obstruction Symptoms

    Intestinal obstruction symptoms usually appear suddenly or within a few hours and often have a wide range. The most common symptoms are:

    • Severe bloating
    • Abdominal pain
    • Decreased appetite
    • Nausea
    • Vomiting
    • Inability to expel gas or stool
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Severe abdominal cramps
    • Abdominal swelling

    Sometimes the symptoms are different depending on the location and duration of the blockage. For example, vomiting is an early sign of obstruction in the small intestine; While if the blockage in the large intestine continues for several days, the person will experience vomiting. A partial obstruction may result in smaller stools and be accompanied by diarrhea, while a complete obstruction can lead to the inability to pass gas or stool. Also, if the obstruction is severe and leads to intestinal rupture, symptoms such as serious infection and inflammation of the abdominal cavity occur, which is called peritonitis. This condition is often accompanied by fever and severe abdominal pain, and is considered an emergency situation that requires immediate surgery and can be life-threatening.

    Not sure about the symptoms of intestinal obstruction?

    Make an appointment with a doctor with just a few simple clicks and consult Gastroenterology in-person visit Question from a gastroenterologist

    Intestinal obstruction symptoms in men

    Men sometimes confuse this condition with simple digestive problems or abdominal muscle pains. Symptoms such as a sudden spasm deep in the abdomen that does not improve with medication and changing the position, a feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen, inability to expel gas or severe irregularity in defecation can be seen as warning signs that require immediate investigation. For example, abdominal pain associated with intestinal obstruction may be mistaken for menstrual pain, ovarian cysts, or endometriosis. If you have recently experienced symptoms such as irregular bowel movements, loss of appetite and a feeling of fullness, especially after eating, be sure to see a specialist doctor; Because they may be one of the early signs of obstruction.

    Symptoms of intestinal obstruction in children

    The cause of any change in children's eating habits and bowel movements should be investigated by a pediatrician as soon as possible.

    Children and infants usually experience the same symptoms as adults. Since babies can't tell you where they are in pain, they may pull their legs up to their stomachs and cry. Other symptoms of obstruction in children include:

    • Fever
    • Blood in the stool or bleeding from the anus
    • Green or yellow and green vomit
    • Lethargy (they are less active than usual.)
    • Swelling and stiffness of the abdomen

    What is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction?

    There are many possible reasons for this condition. have These reasons can be mechanical or non-mechanical.

    1- Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction

    In mechanical obstruction, a physical factor causes the intestinal tract to be closed. This condition occurs in the small intestine for the following reasons:

    • adhesion after abdominal, pelvic surgery or severe inflammation
    • twisting of the intestines (volulus)
    • intestinal entanglement (one part of the intestine presses against the next part and causes it to collapse.)
    • swallowing foreign objects
    • hernia
    • Small intestine tumor
    • Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn's disease
    • Gallstones (rarely causes obstruction)
    • Intestinal abnormalities (often occurs in infants, but it can also occur in children and adolescents.)

    Mechanical obstruction, although rare, can also occur in the large intestine or colon. Its causes include the following:

    • feces getting stuck in the colon or rectum
    • adhesions due to pelvic infections or surgeries
    • ovarian cancer
    • colon cancer
    • meconium plaque in babies (meconium is the first stool in babies.)
    • bowel twisting and tangles
    • diverticulitis (inflammation or Infection of protruding intestinal bags)
    • Narrowing or narrowing of the large intestine due to wound and inflammation
    • Intestinal parasites

    2- Non-mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction

    The large and small intestine have coordinated movement contractions. Non-mechanical obstruction may occur when an agent can disrupt this process. If it is a temporary condition, it is called ileus, and if it is chronic or prolonged, it is called pseudo-obstruction or pseudo-obstruction.

    Factors that contribute to the occurrence of this condition in a temporary form are:

    • Abdominal or pelvic surgery
    • Infections such as gastroenteritis or appendicitis
    • Some medications such as opioid pain medications
    • Electrolyte imbalance

    “Radiation enteritis is a complication of radiation therapy that occurs when the radiation causes scarring in healthy tissue. The scarring can cause strictures that obstruct your bowels." These ulcers can cause strictures that block your bowels.
    Quoted from: clevelandclinic

    Pseudo-obstruction can be caused by:

    • Parkinson's disease, MS, and other neuromuscular disorders
    • Hirschsprung's disease (a disorder in which there are no nerves in parts of the large intestine.)
    • Diabetes mellitus
    • Hypothyroidism

    Are intestinal obstructions dangerous?

    Yes, intestinal obstructions can be dangerous, especially if not diagnosed early. This complication is associated with the accumulation of gases, liquids and digestive contents behind the obstruction and damages the intestinal tissue and causes intestinal rupture if not treated on time. In such a situation, intestinal contents spill into the abdominal cavity and the possibility of severe systemic infection increases and can be life-threatening.

    When should we see a doctor for intestinal obstruction?

    This complication can have serious consequences, so if you observe any of the following symptoms, especially after abdominal surgery through Gastroenterology and hepatology specialist online visit Consult a doctor as soon as possible:

    • Severe abdominal pain
    • Abdominal bloating
    • Severe constipation
    • Loss of appetite

    How to diagnose intestinal obstruction

    Diagnosis of this disease with Clinical examination is performed by a specialist doctor and imaging methods. The doctor first presses the patient's abdomen to perform a physical examination, then checks for abnormal bowel sounds with a stethoscope. The presence of a firm mass or certain types of sounds, especially in children, can help locate the obstruction. Finally, for the final diagnosis of obstruction, the results of tests are needed, which we introduce in the following table:

    Type of testDescriptions Blood test to check the level of electrolytes, liver, kidney function and blood cell count. Endoscopy, including a special camera to see inside the intestine. Colonoscopy includes a narrow and long flexible tube with a camera to examine the large intestine, enema with contrast to examine the internal structure of the intestine, the location of obstruction and possible twisting, ultrasound to check the location of obstruction, especially for children and pregnant women. Table of how to diagnose intestinal obstruction

    Intestinal obstruction treatment method

    If you are curious to know what is the treatment for intestinal obstruction, we must tell you the treatment of this condition in severity and the location of the obstruction, the type of obstruction (mechanical or non-mechanical). And it depends on the cause of its creation. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, the doctor usually suggests surgical, non-surgical, or bowel rest options. To learn about the home treatment of intestinal obstruction and to familiarize yourself with the method of bowel rest, you can read the article related to it in Dermankade.

    "For some people with a chronic obstruction due to a stricture or narrowing of their intestine, a doctor may place a metal stent that expands inside the intestine using a long tube called an endoscope. The stent is a wire mesh that holds open the intestine. The procedure may not require cutting into the abdomen, and it's usually used if a person is not a candidate for traditional surgery.”

    For some people with chronic obstruction due to stricture or narrowing of the intestine, the doctor may place a metal stent that expands into the intestine using a long tube called an endoscope. A stent is a wire mesh that keeps the intestine open. This method may not require an incision in the abdomen and is usually used if the person is not a candidate for traditional surgery.
    Quoted from the site: healthline

    Possible side effects of intestinal obstruction

    If you are constantly experiencing bloating and irregular bowel movements, definitely See a gastroenterologist.

    Is a bowel obstruction cancer?

    This is a medical emergency, but it is not bowel cancer. In fact, colon tumors or cancer can sometimes cause obstruction by narrowing and closing the intestinal tract. Therefore, cancer cannot be considered as a possible complication of this condition.

    The most important risks and complications of intestinal obstruction include the following:

    • Dehydration
    • Tissue death in the intestines
    • Abscess in the abdomen
    • Kidney failure
    • Intestinal rupture
    • Pulmonary aspiration
    • Infection

    People who have surgery due to intestinal obstruction have undergone surgery, they may be exposed to other complications, including:

    • Abdominal adhesions
    • Intestinal paralysis
    • Nerve damage
    • Short bowel syndrome
    • Wound re-opening

    In the most severe case, this complication can cause multiple organ failure and death; For this reason, timely diagnosis and treatment are of great importance.

    What should we do to prevent intestinal obstruction?

    To prevent this complication, you should pay attention to the management of the underlying factors that create and maintain the health of your digestive system. The most important measures include the following:

    • Creating changes in the diet under the doctor's supervision for easier digestion of food
    • Chewing food thoroughly
    • Drinking a lot of water (eight glasses a day)
    • Sufficient movement and regular physical activity to increase bowel movements
    • Eating smaller meals throughout the day

    Important: The doctor usually recommends People who are prone to intestinal obstruction should consume less high-fiber foods. Paying attention to this recipe is very important because it reduces the amount of feces and the number of times you need to empty your bowels.

    Guide to see a doctor

    Intestinal obstruction is one of the serious digestive problems that, if not diagnosed and treated in time, can cause side effects and even be life-threatening. Familiarity with its most common symptoms, such as persistent abdominal pain, severe bloating, and irregular bowel movements, help in early diagnosis and prevention of dangerous complications. Therefore, it is very important to know your digestive habits and if there is a serious and continuous change, you must see a doctor.

    In this article from Dermankadeh magazine, we introduced you to the cause, symptoms, types and diagnosis method of intestinal obstruction disease. If you have more questions about this, you can visit the website of Dermankadeh and consult the best specialist doctors such as an experienced gastroenterologist. Also, Darmankade has provided you with the possibility of receiving an online appointment for face-to-face consultation or online consultation by phone, text and video.

    Frequently asked questions

    Does persimmon cause intestinal obstruction?

    The fiber in persimmon is indigestible; For this reason, its excessive consumption may cause the accumulation of undigested pieces in the intestine, especially the small intestine, and cause obstruction.

    What is the cause of intestinal obstruction in infants?

    This complication in infants, known as intussusception, occurs due to infection, organ disease, and reduced blood flow to the intestines, and is more common in children 2 years old and younger.

    Is intestinal obstruction the same? Is it cancer?

    No. It is not a complication of cancer, but cancerous tumors, especially colon cancer and ovarian cancer, can cause it.

    Sources: healthline | medicalnewstoday | clevelandclinic

    Top Doctors: Dr. Ali Asghar Etemadi Fard | Doctor Alireza Rezaei

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