Affordable Intestinal Obstruction Surgery in Ahmedabad

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Intestinal Obstruction Treatment

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What is Intestinal Obstruction?

Intestinal obstruction, or bowel obstruction, is a chronic problem. It occurs when something fully or partially blocks the small or large intestine. The blockage restricts the passing of both food and liquids from the colon.

In a healthy digestive system:

Digestive juices break down food that smoothly travels from the stomach to the rectum.
The food waste then passes out as stools.

However, an intestinal obstruction disrupts this normal process, blocking the intestinal passage and slowing down or halting digestion. The trapped waste, gas, or digestive juices damage the surrounding area and prevent your gut from functioning.

Call a doctor or visit an emergency room when you suspect a similar situation.

Types of Intestinal Obstruction

Healthcare experts differentiate bowel or intestinal obstruction based on the intestine it affects:

Small intestinal obstruction: 80% of obstructions occur in the small intestine. The small intestine connects your stomach from one end and the large intestine on the other end. Besides moving food and water to your large intestine, the small intestine breaks down food and absorbs water and nutrients.

Large intestinal obstruction: The large intestine includes the colon and rectum. It resumes the nutrient absorption process that started in the small intestine. The large intestine transforms food and water into waste. 20% of intestinal obstructions happen here in the large intestine. Intestinal obstructions can be complete, partial or pseudo. Complete means a total blockage in your intestine, partial is when a bowel movement is partially blocked, and pseudo is a ‘false’ obstruction. You may experience the symptoms of pseudo obstructions but don’t actually have an intestinal obstruction.

What Happens if You Have Intestinal Obstruction?

Intestinal obstruction is a serious condition. It blocks the intestines, preventing the normal flow of food and waste through the digestive tract. This blockage can cause several problems.

Bowel Ischemia: The blood flow to part of your intestine may cut off, leading to tissue death (necrosis) and potentially causing a rupture or intestinal perforation. The blockages can also lead to serious infections.

Digestive Issues: The normal digestion process slows down or stops completely. You may feel nausea with continuous vomiting and constipation.

Build-up in the Abdomen: Food and liquids get stuck behind the blockages, causing bloating gas and discomfort.

If you have similar conditions, seek immediate medical attention to prevent long-term and serious complications.

Common Causes

Intestinal obstructions are broadly categorised into two types: Mechanical and Non-Mechanical Obstructions. Let’s have a look at their causes:

1) Mechanical Obstructions: are physical blockages within your intestine. The common causes include:

Abdominal surgery or inflammation
Hernia
Tumours
Inflamed or infected pouches in the colon
Twisting of intestine
Intussusception, where a part of the intestine telescopes into another section.
Swallowing foreign objects
Narrowing of the intestine due to chronic inflammation

2) Non-mechanical obstructions: (Functional Obstructions) occur when the intestines fail to move content due to muscle or nerve malfunctions. Common causes include:

Surgeries
Medications
Infections
Nerve or muscle problems
Severe inflammation of the intestine
Crohn’s disease
Severe electrolyte imbalances
Metabolic imbalances
Nerve disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease or diabetes

3)Other Causes

Past abdominal surgery
History of hernia
Cancer
Age

What are the Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction?

The symptoms of intestinal obstruction may vary based on the location and severity of the obstruction. Initially, you may have sharp stomach pains that come in waves. Eventually, the pain may become constant. You may also have more of the following symptoms.

Abdominal pain
Cramps
Bloating
Nausea and Vomiting
Lack of appetite
An overall feeling of illness
Diarrhea
Rapid heart rate
Dark-coloured pee/urine
Dehydration
Severe constipation
Inability to pass gas
Abdominal swelling

In the case of infants and children, the experience of intestinal obstruction is almost the same. Infant won’t be able to tell you where the pain is, but they may pull their legs up toward their bellies and cry.

Other symptoms that children may experience include:

Fever
Blood in stool/ rectal bleeding
Green or yellow-green vomit
Lethargy
Swollen/firm belly

How is Intestinal Obstruction Diagnosed?

Once you visit your doctor, they will examine you to diagnose your condition. Your doctor will do this through clinical evaluation, imaging studies and sometimes laboratory tests.

The doctor may inquire about the following:

What symptoms do you have?
Do you have other health conditions?
When did the symptoms start?
Have you gone through any medical procedures recently?
What is your family medical history?
What food did you last eat?

Post understanding your conditions, the provider will first take your vitals, such as blood tests and body temperature.

The doctor will also conduct a physical examination, including:

Listening to abdominal sounds with a stethoscope
Feeling abdomen for tenderness or swelling
Checking the heart rate and blood pressure

What Tests Will Diagnose Intestinal Obstruction?

After thoroughly examining you, your doctor may recommend the following tests to determine the extent of your obstruction.

X-Ray and CT Scan: Your doctor will first perform an abdominal X-ray to check the dilation of bowel loops and air-fluid levels. Then, to gain a more detailed understanding and identify the location of the cause or severity of the obstruction, he may perform a CT Scan.

Ultrasound and MRI: The doctors also perform an ultrasound to detect signs of obstruction, such as thickened intestinal walls or a specific type of obstruction. This is particularly useful in children. For extra detailed imaging in certain cases, the doctors perform an MRI.

Laboratory Tests: Doctors also advise patients to get blood tests to check for signs of infection, dehydration or electrolyte imbalances. Elevated white blood cell counts may indicate an infection or inflammation.

Due to prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea, doctors also assess for electrolyte imbalances using an electrolyte panel.

Barium Enema or Air Enema: Your doctor may insert air or liquid containing a metallic barium substance into your rectum in a barium or air enema. This will create images that are clearer than a regular X-Ray. For children with intussusception, any type of enema can unfold the inside-out section of the bowel and correct the blockage.

Endoscopy: A flexible tube with a camera is inserted through your mouth to the rectum. The doctor uses this to visualise the insides of your intestine directly. It is a common technique if a blockage is suspected in your upper digestive tract.

What is the Treatment for Intestinal Obstruction?

You may have to visit a hospital for intestinal obstruction treatment. If you have a complete blockage, your doctor will immediately put you in an intestinal obstruction surgery.

Partial obstruction might be managed differently. The doctor will focus on stabilising your condition and recommend you for a complete liquid diet.

However, depending on the severity of your condition and blockage, the intestinal obstruction cure plans may vary, such as:

IV Fluids: If you are dehydrated, the doctor will give you fluid and electrolytes through an IV.
Medications: The doctor might administer nausea and pain relief drugs via IV and prescribe antibiotics for an infection.
Nasogastric Tube: Your doctor may place a thin tube through your nose and into your stomach to suction out fluids and gases that have built up in your digestive tract. This will relieve symptoms and may also help clear the blockage.
Bowel Rest: Your doctor may ask you to eat and drink temporarily. This will allow your intestine to clear the obstruction and reduce the swelling. The doctor may also give you a liquid that will provide you with the nutrition you need.
Stent: To open the blocked area, the doctor may place a mesh tube called a stent into your bowel. This will be enough to treat the bowel obstruction.
Bowel Decompression: A doctor guides a thin tube into the blocked area to open the obstruction and relieve pressure. Doctors may use colonoscopy, in which the tube is inserted through your anus, or with surgery.
Bowel Obstruction Surgery: To remove the cause of obstruction, the doctor may do surgery. They also remove damaged parts of your bowel. If a hernia caused the blockage, you will get surgery to repair it.
Colostomy or Ileostomy: Once your doctor removes the damaged section of the intestine, they may sew the rest to an opening in your skin. Your waste passes through this opening to a disposable bag. In some cases, your intestine is reattached after you get better.

What Happens if Intestinal Obstruction is Not Treated?

If an intestinal obstruction is left untreated, it can result in several serious and potentially life-threatening complications, including:

Ischemia and Necrosis: Reduced blood flow to the affected portion of the intestine may damage your tissues. Moreover, if the blood flow is completely cut off, the intestine tissues can die, which can cause severe infections and sepsis.
Perforation and Peritonitis: Perforation occurs when the walls of the intestine rupture due to pressure buildup from a blockage. The intestine contents may leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to a widespread infection known as peritonitis.
Sepsis: The bacterial infection from a perforated bowel spreads throughout the body, causing sepsis, a life-threatening response to an infection.
Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance: Persistent vomiting and inability to absorb fluids can lead to severe dehydration. Loss of electrolytes can cause critical imbalances affecting heart and muscle functions.
Shock: Due to dehydration and blood loss, your organs and tissues do not get enough blood, which leads to shock. It can be fatal for your body.
Strangulated Bowel: If a portion of your intestine gets trapped and twisted, the blood supply cuts off. This condition requires emergency surgery to prevent tissue damage.

Untreated intestinal obstruction can quickly become a medical emergency. Immediate medical attention is essential if symptoms occur to prevent severe complications.

FAQ

What are the home remedies for intestinal obstructions?

Do not try to treat intestinal obstruction at home. It can be life-threatening, particularly for people who have other health problems.

If you have had an intestinal obstruction, you can take a few steps to prevent another.

Drink lots of water and other fluids, and keep yourself hydrated
Eat small meals throughout the day instead of having a few large meals
Chew your food thoroughly
Increase fibre intake in your diet. Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables.
Exercise regularly. Even a 30-minute walk can help stimulate bowel movements.
Avoid high-fat, processed and packaged food.

A partial obstruction may clear without surgery; consult a doctor if you suspect an obstruction.

What is the 3 6 9 rule for intestinal obstructions?

The 3-6-9 rule is used to help diagnose intestinal obstructions. It is based on the diameter of different parts of the intestines.

The small intestine should not exceed 3 cm in diameter
The large intestine (colon) should not exceed 6 cm in diameter.
Cecum should not exceed 9 cm in diameter.

If the diameter exceeds the given measurements, it suggests a potential obstruction. You may require further medical examination or intervention.

What is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction?

Adhesions from previous surgeries are the leading cause of small bowel obstruction, while colorectal cancer is the primary cause of large intestine obstruction.

How to know if my intestine is blocked?

An intestinal blockage occurs when something blocks your intestine. If your intestine is fully blocked, it is a medical emergency needing immediate attention. Signs of an intestinal blockage include:

Severe belly pain or cramping.
Vomiting.
Not being able to pass stool or gas.
Other signs of belly distress.

Can intestinal obstructions clear themselves?

If your bowel is completely blocked, it may require hospitalisation and surgery. However, your doctor may advise waiting for it to clear for partial blockages and suggest home remedies to alleviate discomfort.

What can I drink to unblock my intestines?

If you’re experiencing mild constipation or discomfort, drink plenty of water to soften stools and promote regular bowel movements.

Additionally, you can drink.

Prune juice
Warm liquids like herbal teas
Coconut water
Black tea
Black coffee
Juices

However, seeking medical advice for more serious conditions like intestinal obstruction is crucial rather than relying solely on home remedies.

What is the 7-second poop trick?

The 7-second poop trick is a social media trend that claims to hold your breath, and straining for seven seconds during bowel movements can immediately relieve your constipation. Although this sounds quick and easy, no scientific evidence supports this claim.

What foods trigger intestinal obstructions?

Particular foods can trigger or worsen intestinal obstructions. So avoid foods like:

Seeds,
Skins,
Pits of fruits and vegetables,
Whole grains, pulses, beans,
Bread and bread products like crumpets, muffins, and doughnuts.

Does drinking a lot of water help with intestinal obstruction?

Drinking water can soften stools and aid in regular bowel movements for mild constipation. However, it does not resolve a physical obstruction in the intestines. If suspected intestinal obstruction is present, immediate medical attention is needed to prevent complications.

Can intestinal obstructions cause back pain?

Constipation can cause back pain by putting pressure on the muscles in your body, especially your back, and making it ache and become sore.

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Affordable Intestinal Obstruction Surgery​ in Ahmedabad