Symptom of intestinal obstruction, treatment. Intestinal obstruction in children: symptoms

What is an intestinal obstruction? Symptoms, treatment and features of this disease will be presented below. Also we will tell you about what are the causes of the disease in question and how it is diagnosed.

general information

Intestinal obstruction (symptoms in adults and children will be discussed later) is characterized by a partial or complete cessation of the movement of the chyme along the intestine. This pathological condition requires urgent intervention by specialists, as it threatens the patient's life.

Causes of development in infants

How is the intestinal obstruction in children? Symptoms of this disease in newborns differ little from those of adults.

According to the doctors, all segments of the population are affected by this disease. This pathological condition can occur in newborns and in elderly people.

Usually in infants, intestinal obstruction is a consequence of abnormal intrauterine development. It can be manifested as a result of a narrowing of the intestinal lumen, or so-called stenosis, esophagus atresia, incomplete bowel rotation, intestinal duplication (i.e., doubling of the intestine) and neuronal intestinal wall dysplasia.

Why does it occur in adults?

Now you know why the intestinal obstruction develops in newborns. Symptoms of this disease will be presented below.

The development of such a disease in adults has many different causes. The most common of these are:

• Cavitary surgery and trauma;
• Adhesive processes in the peritoneum, which arose after inflammatory diseases;
• Tumors in the abdominal cavity or in the retroperitoneal space;
• Nodulation in the intestine, where there is a long and mobile mesentery;
• Malformations of the intestine;
• Intra-abdominal pressure due to excessive physical exertion;
• Unbalanced nutrition, as well as food with a violation of the schedule of food intake and its quantity.

Types of disease

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction may be different. Often it depends on the type of disease and the cause of its occurrence.

In medical practice, the disease under consideration is classified as follows:

• Congenital;
• Acquired.

Based on the causes of development and the mechanism of the disease, it should be clarified that the congenital form of intestinal obstruction is the result of intrauterine anomalies.

As for the acquired disease, it is the result of a developmental mechanism. A group of this species includes a dynamic or so-called functional type of obstruction with a paralytic and spastic form. The first is the result of paralysis and paresis of the intestine. As a rule, it manifests itself only in the secondary stage and can be a result of postoperative stress.

Spastic form of the disease is associated with reflex spasms of the intestine. Such a disease is a consequence of helminthic invasions or intoxications.

Intestinal obstruction: symptoms

Treatment in children and adults of this disease should be carried out immediately, otherwise it is fatal.

Usually the development of such a disease is characterized by painful sensations in the abdomen. They can have a sharp, cramping, and also an increasing character. This condition contributes to the occurrence of nausea and subsequent vomiting.

After some time, the contents of the intestine (due to its overcrowding) falls into the stomach. This phenomenon gives the vomit masses a smell characteristic of feces.

How is the intestinal obstruction in children diagnosed? Symptoms of this disease are as follows: the child has constipation and increased gas formation.

At the very beginning of the development of the disease, the intestinal peristalsis is usually preserved. In this case, it can be observed even through the abdominal wall of the child. Subsequently, in a patient with intestinal obstruction, the abdomen, which takes an irregular shape, significantly increases.

General features

At different stages of development the symptom of intestinal obstruction can manifest itself in different ways. In the process of diagnosis, the patient can detect the following symptoms:

• Blood pressure drop;
• Increased heart rate;
• Dry tongue;
• Filled bowels of the intestine with gas and liquid, as well as an increase in their size;
• Fever.

Symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction

This pathological condition develops suddenly. It manifests itself in exactly the same way as the process of disturbing the working capacity of the intestine. As a result, the patient is troubled by the following symptoms:

• Pain in the abdomen;
• Rumbling and flatulence;
• Diarrhea and constipation;
• Vomiting and nausea;
• Shock and strengthened peristalsis.

One can not help saying that there are very diverse symptoms for acute intestinal obstruction. They usually depend on the level of obstruction of the affected organ.

Each symptom of intestinal obstruction worries a person at the same time as others. However, the absence of any of them does not exclude the presence of the pathology in question.

Painful sensations in acute illness are clearly pronounced, and from the very beginning of development. Most often these sensations are localized under the spoon, that is around the navel. The nature of the pain syndrome is spasmodic.

The symptom of intestinal obstruction in the form of vomiting is the most constant sign. However, experts argue that such a phenomenon is observed only if the obstacle in the intestine is high.

With obstruction of the colon, this symptom is absent, although nausea remains. At the very beginning, vomit is only the contents of the stomach. After a while they acquire a yellowish shade, and then turn green and even greenish-brown.

How else does acute intestinal obstruction appear? Symptoms (treatment of this disease should only take place in a hospital), such pathologies are reduced to severe constipation. As a rule, this sign of the disease is the latest.

It should also be noted that the pathology under consideration is almost always accompanied by large fluid losses during vomiting, as well as intoxication with intestinal contents.

If untimely therapy in a person reduces blood pressure and there is an increase in heart rate. Similar signs indicate the onset of shock.

Paralytic obstruction

This form of the disease can manifest as a progressive decrease in peristalsis and intestinal tone. As a result, it often develops complete paralysis of the affected organ.

Paralytic obstruction is characterized by:

• Pain, uniform bloating and vomiting;
• The retention of gases and stools.

Painful sensations in this disease affect the entire abdomen. They have a rambling character and do not give away anywhere.

Vomiting during paralytic intestinal obstruction visits the patient many times. At first it is a gastric and then intestinal contents. With diapedesis bleeding from the walls of the intestine and stomach, as well as acute ulcers, vomitive masses are hemorrhagic in nature.

Pronounced gassing causes chest breathing. Also, patients are diagnosed with low blood pressure, tachycardia and dry mouth.

Adhesive obstruction

How does the adhesive chronic intestinal obstruction show itself? Symptoms of this disease should be known to all people who are predisposed to its occurrence. This is due to the fact that this pathology is the most common. To date, there is a tendency to increase its frequency. This is due to the large number of operations on the abdominal cavity.

Adhesive intestinal obstruction is classified as follows:

• Obturation;
• strangulation;
• Dynamic obstruction.

The first form of the disease is characterized by squeezing the gut with spikes. In this case, its innervation and blood supply are not impaired.

With a strangulation type, the spikes exert strong pressure on the mesentery of the gut. As a result, necrosis of the affected organ is manifested. This form is divided into three different types: nodulation, twisting and pinching.

Stages of the disease

How is the intestinal obstruction in the baby? Symptoms of this disease in children and adults depend on its stage.

According to medical practice, such a disease develops in three stages:

1. The initial. It lasts about 3-12 hours, and is also accompanied by pain in the abdomen, increased peristalsis and flatulence.
2. Intermediate. It lasts about 13-36 hours. At the same time, the pain syndrome subsides and the time of imaginary well-being comes. During this period, there is an increase in the symptoms of intoxication and dehydration.
3. Terminal. As a rule, this stage occurs two days after the formation of the disease. The condition of a person is noticeably worse. In this case, there is an increase in symptoms of dehydration, damage to internal organs and the NA.

How to diagnose?

How does total or partial intestinal obstruction appear? Symptoms of such a disease are quite similar to those of other diseases occurring in the digestive tract. Therefore, when making a diagnosis, it is impossible to rely only on external manifestations.

The main way to diagnose this pathology is an x-ray study of the abdominal cavity, as well as a blood test. In addition, as an adjunct, some specialists use ultrasound.

In an objective examination, the patient's tongue is dry and coated with a white coating. Also, the patient has uneven bloating.

Obstruction in animals

How does the dog show intestinal obstruction? Symptoms of such a disease in domestic animals are practically no different from those in humans. At the first signs of the disease should definitely take your pet to the veterinary clinic. Only so you can save his life.

Methods of treatment

What if the person has been diagnosed or is there suspicion (even the slightest) of intestinal obstruction? In this case, he needs urgent hospitalization. Usually such a patient is immediately sent to the surgical department.

If the patient is experiencing progressive, advancing or catastrophic dehydration, then treatment of intestinal obstruction is carried out immediately. With this diagnosis, therapeutic measures should, if possible, be carried out during the transportation of the patient.

In stationary conditions, in the absence of expressed signs of mechanical obstruction, treatment is carried out, which includes the following measures:

• The contents of the stomach and intestines are aspirated through a thin probe, which is injected through the nose.
• With increased peristalsis, the patient is given antispasmodics.

If the patient is diagnosed with mechanical obstruction, and conservative methods do not help, then an emergency surgery should be performed. Usually it includes:

• Untwisting of the curtain;
• Dissection of adhesions;
• Resection of the gut with necrosis;
• Deinvagination;
• Imposition of intestinal fistula (to exit its contents in tumors in the large intestine).

After the operation, the patient is expecting a recovery period. It includes procedures aimed at normalizing protein and water-salt metabolism. For this purpose, specialists use intravenous administration of blood substitutes and saline solutions. They also perform anti-inflammatory treatment and stimulate motor-evacuation work of the digestive tract.

Food

Now you know what is intestinal obstruction (in cats the symptoms are the same as in humans and other animals). In addition to medical and surgical treatment of such a disease, the patient is prescribed special nutrition.

After surgery with intestinal obstruction, it is forbidden to eat and drink for half a day. Sometimes the patient's nutrition occurs parenterally. Nutrient solutions are injected through the vein.

With such a disease, people are allowed to consume sour-milk products, as well as infant formula (frequent and very small portions).

After some time after the operation, easily digestible liquid products are introduced into the patient's diet. The consumption of salt is limited. Next, they switch to a diet that is close to table No. 4. This diet was developed to minimize the effect on the intestines, as well as reduce the process of fermentation in it.

For all kinds of obstruction, a person should limit himself in fats, carbohydrates, smoked products, spices, fiber, pickles and milk. All meals served to the patient, are well cooked or cooked for a couple, after which they are carefully rubbed.

After some time, the diet menu is slightly enlarged. In this case, the patient completely switches to diet No. 4. By the way, it is specially developed for those who have intestinal diseases.

The table of people with diseases of the digestive tract should provide adequate nutrition, which will be especially gentle for the intestines. The diet for intestinal obstruction (after recovery) becomes more diverse. At the same time, the food is not wiped, and all dishes are cooked or cooked for a couple. This will allow the sick body to digest it more thoroughly.

Diets with acute and chronic obstruction do not give rise to putrefactive and fermenting processes.

It should also be noted that with this diagnosis, thermal, chemical and mechanical irritants should be completely eliminated.

Let's sum up the results

Intestinal obstruction is a rather insidious disease. When untimely therapy, it often leads to a lethal outcome. It should also be noted that very often the only way to treat this disease is to perform a surgical operation. After it, the patient is obliged to follow a number of doctor's recommendations aimed at restoring the body.