Intestinal obstruction (also called Bowel obstruction) is a partial or complete blockage of your small intestine or large intestine (colon). Causes of intestinal obstruction may include fibrous bands of tissue (adhesions) in the abdomen that form after surgery; hernias; colon cancer; certain medications; or strictures from an inflamed intestine caused by certain conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis.
There are different types of bowel obstruction. A blockage in your digestive system can be:
_in the small intestine or the large intestine _partial (meaning your bowel is partly blocked and some faeces (poo) can still get through) or complete (meaning it is fully blocked and not even gas can get through) _simple (just a blockage) or complicated (meaning the blockage has cut off your bowel’s blood supply and caused damage to your bowel)
Intestinal obstruction Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
*Abdominal swelling (distention) *Abdominal fullness, gas *Abdominal pain and cramping *Breath odor *Constipation *Diarrhea *Inability to pass gas *Vomiting
Causes of intestinal obstruction
An obstruction can be partial, which may get better without surgery. A complete blockage is more likely to need intestinal surgery.
*In adults, the most common causes are:
_adhesions — these are scar-like bands of tissue that can form between organs that shouldn’t be connected, usually after abdominal or pelvic surgery _tumours _hernias
*Other causes include:
_inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn’s disease _diverticulitis _volvulus — when part of the bowel twists _intussusception — when part of the bowel folds in on itself (more common in children) _a foreign body, such as a swallowed object or gallstones _severe constipation
intestinal obstruction Complications
*infection:
The fluids, gases and digestive juices that build up behind the obstruction can create ballooning pressure that causes your intestine to tear (perforation). The contents can leak out, putting you at risk of an abdominal infection called peritonitis and a life-threatening system-wide infection called sepsis.
*Tissue death:
With strangulation, an obstruction prevents parts of your intestine from getting enough blood. Eventually, gangrene sets in as the tissue dies, putting you at risk of serious infection and even death.
intestinal obstruction Diagnosis
First, a doctor may push on your abdomen to examine it. They then listen with a stethoscope to any sounds being made. The presence of a hard lump or particular kinds of sounds, especially in a child, may help determine whether an obstruction exists.
Other tests include:
*blood tests to check for:
_blood counts _liver and kidney function _levels of electrolytes
*X-rays *CT scan *colonoscopy, a flexible tube with a light that your doctor uses to look at your large intestine *enema with contrast
intestinal obstruction Treatment
Most people with intestinal obstruction need prompt treatment in the hospital.
Treatment may include:
*Intravenous (IV) fluids: You may need IV fluids and electrolytes to treat dehydration. *Nasogastric tube: You may need a nasogastric tube to suction out fluids and air backed up from the blockage. A nasogastric tube is a long, thin tube that goes in through your nose but reaches down into your stomach or intestines. *Medications: You may need anti-emetics to prevent nausea and vomiting and pain relievers to keep you more comfortable. *Bowel rest: You may need to refrain from eating or drinking to give your intestine time to clear the obstruction or shrink to its normal size. Or you may only be allowed to drink a special liquid containing the nutrients you’d otherwise get from food. *Surgery: You’ll likely need surgery if your intestine is completely blocked. Your healthcare provider may remove adhesions or tumors that are causing a blockage. Rarely, they may need to remove diseased segments of tissue. Sometimes, your provider can place a stent (a mesh tube) to keep your intestine open and resolve the obstruction without additional surgery. Or you may need a stent as a temporary solution until you’re healthy enough for surgery to repair the obstruction.
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