Intestinal obstruction occurs when the bowel movement gets impaired and the intestinal functions fail, as the contents cannot vent through. Intestinal obstruction could be prevented only during certain cases.
Intestinal obstruction can be defined as a condition of the intestine when its functioning may be restrained due to a blockage, that may be caused due to improper bowel practices. The intestine is a long, intricately coiled organ that consists of small intestine and large intestine. The function of the small intestine is to store all that is required and discard the rest. The material that is not required is passed on to the large intestine for excretion as waste matter. However, if an obstruction occurs during this process, either the large or the small intestine may get adversely affected. Medical nomenclature regards this condition as paralytic ileus or intestinal volvulus.
Causes of Intestinal Obstruction
You may well decipher the condition is caused due to:
➙ Tumors; they can either be benign or cancerous.
➙ Intestinal structure; if the shape of the intestine becomes convoluted; it may jut out and form a bulge that may be regarded as hernia, or it may twist resulting in bowel blockage also known as volvulus.
➙ Thick band like tissues are formed in the abdominal cavity after abdominal surgery. In medical nomenclature, the condition is referred to as adhesion.
➙ The blood supply in the abdominal region is impaired.
➙ Crohn’s disease may cause an obstruction.
➙ Pertonitis is another cause where the abdominal cavity endures infection, its former cause being the blood supply to the affected section of the intestine is impaired.
➙ Gallstones may also cause obstructions due to which there may be an intestinal blockage.
➙ Paralytic ileus or pseudo-obstruction, caused due to decreased blood supply in the abdominal region and the electrolyte balance getting disturbed.
➙ It may also be an elementary cause that may obstruct the bowel which signifies that there is a discrepancy that has to be solved.
➙ It may also be a case that one has been on medication for a prolonged period and it is the effect of the same that is causing an obstruction.
Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction
When you notice symptoms like the ones mentioned below call your medical examiner immediately. They are:
✆ Difficulty in breathing.
✆ Feeling full even when you have not consumed anything for a very long time.
✆ Vomiting.
✆ Severe stomach pain, with an ache around the abdominal region.
✆ Dizziness and feeling lightheaded.
✆ Difficulty in having a smooth bowel movement.
✆ Discomfort due to constipation.
✆ Loss of appetite.
✆ Fever and shivers.
Treatment for Intestinal Obstruction
➙ The treatment involves administering an enema; it involves a liquid that is exerted through the bowel so that the stool is softened, which may lead to passing a bowel movement. Thus, any blockage in the intestine may be corrected.
➙ Antibiotics are administered so that there are no probabilities of developing an infection.
➙ Surgery is prescribed if the condition is not improving even after administration of antibiotics or enema. The medical practitioner may prescribe a laparoscopy where an incision is made to release the obstruction. It is through the instruments used in laparoscopy that the stool can be extricated from the intestine. A colostomy may also be performed before the surgery to make an opening between the bowel and the abdominal region.
Prevention of Intestinal Obstruction
Preventing intestinal obstruction depends on the cause. Certain conditions may lead to reducing the risk encountering the obstruction.
➙ Try and include a lot of vegetables and fruits in your daily diet. Have your meals on time, especially, if you are a constipated frequently.
➙ Avoid foods that are excessively fatty. Your system has to work harder than usual to digest rich foods which can obstruct the bowel.
➙ Quit smoking; make sure to encourage and motivate yourself to keep up with the change and continue the effort.
➙ Drink plenty of fluids. Stay thoroughly hydrated; drink vegetable and fruit juices to flush out toxins from your system.
➙ If you want to prevent the occurrence of hernia, ensure that you do not lift anything that is heavy; which may put an undue strain on your abdominal muscles. If you have had a hernia operation earlier, be very careful as it may result in a relapse of the condition if proper care and precautions are not administered.
Consult a medical expert before you plunge on to any of the above-given prevention methods or derive any conclusions for yourself. It is imperative that you depend on the practitioner’s final word.
