The intestine, which includes the small and large intestines, is the second "food processing plant" after the stomach.
The small intestine is connected to the stomach, the total length is about 5-7 m, it is the main part of digesting food and absorbing nutrients, located in the center of the abdomen.
The large intestine undertakes the small intestine, surrounds the small intestine, ends in the anus, the total length is about 1.5m, can absorb water and electrolytes, form food residues into feces, and eventually excrete the body.
If the contents of the intestine cannot be smoothly excreted from the top down, but stay somewhere in the intestine to form congestion, it may cause intestinal obstruction.
01 The first symptom of intestinal obstruction - abdominal pain
In the early stages of intestinal obstruction, there may be only mild discomfort in the abdomen, paroxysmal pain, and gradually may evolve into severe and persistent abdominal pain.
The site of pain is more common around the umbilicus, and the pain is most severe at the site of the obstruction.
Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, bloating, inability to exhaust and defecate normally may also occur.
Therefore, the four words "pain, swelling, vomiting, and closure" can be used to summarize the typical symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
02 There are many types of intestinal obstruction
According to the degree of obstruction, intestinal obstruction can be divided into complete obstruction and incomplete obstruction;
According to the site of onset, it can be divided into small intestinal obstruction and colonic obstruction (the colon is the most common site of obstruction in the large intestine);
According to whether it affects blood transport, it can be divided into simple intestinal obstruction and strangulated intestinal obstruction, which can have a series of complications such as electrolyte disorders, intestinal necrosis, intestinal perforation, and systemic infection, which are extremely serious;
According to the cause of the disease, it can also be divided into mechanical intestinal obstruction, dynamic intestinal obstruction, and blood-convulsive intestinal obstruction.
Common causes vary by age, but mechanical intestinal obstruction is usually the most common, accounting for about 90% of all intestinal obstructions.
There are two main reasons for the occurrence of mechanical intestinal obstruction, one of which is the problem of the intestine itself, such as polyps, tumors, inflammation in the intestinal wall, large gallstones discharged into the intestine, narrowing the intestinal cavity, or long-term constipation leading to dry and large fecal stones, etc., thus causing congestion.
The second is external problems, among which the intestinal tract caused by surgery and the adhesion of the abdominal cavity, which affects the normal structure of the intestine, is the most common, accounting for about 40%-60% of mechanical intestinal obstruction.
Or lesions occur in the structures outside the intestine, compressing the intestines and causing intestinal obstruction.
Dynamic intestinal obstruction is caused by the affected peristalsis function of the intestine, which can be seen in spasm of the smooth muscles of the intestine, and can also be seen in intestinal paralysis caused by abdominal surgery, trauma, and retroperitoneal hematoma.
Blood-induced intestinal obstruction is caused by the appearance of arterial and venous thrombosis in the mesenteric blood vessels, which affects the function of the intestinal tract.
03 Intestinal obstruction can also occur in children
Pediatric intestinal obstruction can be due to congenital intestinal malformations, such as intestinal stenosis and atresia.
It can also be caused by an acquired intestinal tumor, or intussusception, that is, a segment of the intestine is inserted onto another segment of the intestinal tract, causing a narrowing of the intestinal lumen.
Or due to enteritis, or even pneumonia leads to a weakening of intestinal function, it may also induce intestinal obstruction in children.
04 To prevent intestinal obstruction, pay attention to the following points
Pay attention to dietary hygiene: if gastroenteritis occurs, timely treatment, avoid aggravation of the disease;
Avoid overeating: especially patients who have undergone abdominal surgery and are prone to adhesive intestinal obstruction must pay attention;
Avoid strenuous exercise after meals: strenuous exercise may lead to intestinal torsion, resulting in narrowing of the intestinal lumen;
Active treatment of diseases of the intestine itself: such as inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, intestinal tumors, etc.
Finally, A reminder is that intestinal obstruction is one of the five major acute abdomen, the condition is more urgent, and the longer the obstruction time, the greater the danger, if the corresponding symptoms appear, you must seek medical treatment in time!
References: Medical Microvision official website - Jia Junfeng, Chief Physician, "Intestinal Obstruction"