Imagine a baby who suddenly refuses to feed, his stomach swells and every time he vomits green after feeding; Or a five-year-old child who complains of abdominal pain, gradually becomes lethargic and is no longer able to expel gas or feces; Or a middle-aged man with a history of abdominal surgery who suddenly experiences severe bloating, nausea and abdominal cramps. These scenes are signs of a dangerous situation and symptoms of intestinal obstruction. In this guide, we describe in detail the symptoms of small and large intestinal obstruction in children and adults, and even mention the symptoms of intestinal obstruction in cats and dogs.

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What is intestinal obstruction?

Intestinal obstruction means closing the passage of intestinal contents (food, liquids and gas) completely or partially. This obstruction may occur in the small or large intestine, blocking the exit of waste materials, digestive juices, and gas, and causing accumulation of contents, followed by bloating, pain, and vomiting.

Intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency and requires immediate care. Its treatment also includes bowel rest, receiving intravenous fluids, medication or surgery. If this complication is not treated in time, the risk of necrosis (death of intestinal tissue), intestinal rupture and severe infection threatens the life of the patient.

Why does intestinal obstruction happen? Does it happen?

The formation of scar tissue after abdominal surgery, tumor growth, hernia, intestinal inflammation or intestinal torsion are the most common causes of this complication. Adults usually face symptoms of small and large bowel obstruction for these reasons:

• Adhesion and scar tissue between organs that should not be connected together causes the intestine to wrap around the wound and form a knot. This fibrous tissue is usually formed after abdominal or pelvic surgery. Tumor growth in or around the intestine prevents the passage of contents. Hard stool or fecal obstruction is one of the most important causes of intestinal obstruction, because the accumulation of dry stool in the large intestine prevents the emptying of waste materials.
• Intestinal volvulus is a condition in which the intestine twists around itself and cuts off the flow of intestinal contents and blood supply.
• Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, cause swelling of the intestinal wall, and this causes narrowing and obstruction.
• Some people are born with narrow intestines and are born with intestinal obstruction.
• Intussusception or folding of a part of the intestine around itself, which is one of the common causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and young children. It partially or completely closes.

What are the symptoms of small and large intestinal obstruction?

Severe stomach is the most common symptom of intestinal obstruction, which appears in waves and occasionally in the first stages, and finally in a continuous form. This pain is accompanied by other symptoms of small and large bowel obstruction:

• abdominal pain, cramping or bloating;
• nausea and vomiting;
• lack of appetite;
• malaise (feeling sick and unwell);
• diarrhea (sign of partial obstruction);
• palpitations, dark urine and other symptoms of dehydration. Body;
• Severe constipation (in cases of complete obstruction).

If you see any of these symptoms, don't waste time. Through an online visit or an in-person appointment at Dr.Doctor, keep the specialist informed and get advice without wasting time.

What does intestinal obstruction feel like?

To describe how the patient feels during the period of obstruction, one should see:

• Which bowel is blocked? Big or small?
• How much of the intestine is closed? Is the obstruction partial or total?

Obstruction is felt with severe pain and abdominal cramping. Pain related to small bowel obstruction usually appears in short, intermittent waves, every few minutes, and is mostly concentrated in one spot. While the pain due to colon obstruction is continuous and the patient feels cramping spread throughout the abdomen.

Is it possible to defecate despite intestinal obstruction?

After bowel obstruction, defecation is still possible. This possibility depends on the location of the obstruction and the seriousness of the complication. In case of partial intestinal obstruction, defecation becomes difficult but still possible. While in case of complete blockage, it will be impossible to expel feces and even expel gas.

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction in infants and Children

Intestinal obstruction symptoms in children and infants are similar to adults, except that children cannot tell the exact location of the pain. Small children may cry, pull their leg towards the abdomen and show these symptoms:

• fever;
• blood in the stool (rectal bleeding);
• green or yellow-green vomiting and discharge Bile;
• Lethargy (the child's activity is less than normal);
• Swollen and hard abdomen;
• Continuous moaning due to pain.

The child may stop crying for a while and seem to be better; The symptoms of intestinal obstruction in children come and go, and when they return, they are much more severe than before.

As the disease continues and treatment is not followed, the child becomes weaker and weaker and goes into shock. Very soon, the blood flow to the organs decreases and threatening symptoms such as heart palpitations and low blood pressure begin.

Intestinal obstruction symptoms in babies Newborns

Newborns often throw up and throw up food if they have a bowel obstruction. In the first days, parents confuse this with reflux.

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction in adults

Diagnosis of intestinal obstruction In adults, it starts with the examination of clinical symptoms, and in the later stages, it reaches a specialized evaluation. The symptoms of intestinal obstruction in adults usually include:

• severe abdominal pain, continuous and sometimes intermittent, often around the navel or the entire abdomen;
• bloating and swelling of the abdomen due to the accumulation of gas and intestinal contents;
• nausea and vomiting that first looks like food coming out and then turns green or brown in color;
• general weakness and weakness due to dehydration and disorders electrolyte;
• Fever and symptoms of infection in case of intestinal rupture.

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In the next steps, the doctor will perform an examination for an accurate and definitive diagnosis. He does a physical and prescribes blood and imaging tests:

• The doctor asks questions about the patient's personal and family medical history and abdominal surgery experience;
• He then begins a physical examination and checks for abdominal swelling or masses. He may listen to bowel sounds using a phone;
• Then it's time for additional blood tests to check for dehydration, infection, or electrolyte disorders;
• Finally, imaging tests including plain abdominal radiography, ultrasound, and CT scan are performed to detect the location and severity of the obstruction.

Last word Dr. Doctor

Intestinal obstruction occurs when the passage of intestinal contents is blocked and the process of removing toxins and waste products is stopped. This complication affects different age groups and has different symptoms in each period. Babies usually react with restlessness, vomiting and abdominal distention; Children have intermittent pains, constipation and symptoms similar to poisoning; Adults also experience symptoms of indigestion and constipation. Accurate and timely recognition of the cause of these symptoms is vital, especially in the early stages. The more you mess around, the closer the risk of complete obstruction, bowel necrosis, and ultimately emergency surgery. To avoid these unfortunate events, seize the opportunity and register an online visit request with the best specialist doctors in the country's health system. This is your most effective step towards early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

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