How long will diarrhea from intussusception take to get better?

Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
Updated on February 16, 2025
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Intussusception causes diarrhea. In such cases, the intussusception itself indicates an intestinal blockage. Patients with the obstruction will experience significant pain, vomiting, bloating, and closure. The anus will stop discharging gas or stool. If diarrhea occurs at this time, it is not caused by the intussusception. If the intussusception cannot be resolved, the diarrhea will improve in the short term. Of course, we must address the main issue of intussusception, and the diarrhea can be temporarily disregarded. We only need to perform air enema reduction and mainly resolve the intestinal obstruction and intussusception through surgical treatment. Diarrhea, because it is treated with IV fluids and some intestinal anti-inflammatory medications, will naturally subside.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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How to treat intussusception in children?

Intussusception is a life-threatening emergency that requires urgent reduction once diagnosed. Reduction methods include non-surgical and surgical therapies. Within forty-eight hours of intussusception, if the overall condition is good, there is no abdominal distension, and no significant dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, reduction can be attempted under ultrasound guidance using hydrostatic enema, air enema, or barium enema. If the intussusception has lasted beyond forty-eight to seventy-two hours, or if there is severe abdominal distention, intestinal necrosis, or perforation, surgical treatment is necessary.

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Written by Li Chang Yue
General Surgery
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How long is the incubation period for intussusception?

The incubation period of intussusception generally varies depending on the severity of the condition. Intussusception most commonly occurs during infancy or in adulthood. Typically, the incubation period is around 2 to 3 years of age, which is when the chances of developing intussusception are highest. In adults, intussusception is generally associated with tumors. As the tumor grows or other pathological changes occur, the likelihood of intussusception significantly increases. Therefore, once symptoms appear in patients with intussusception, it indicates a severe condition. Thus, in cases where intussusception is clearly diagnosed, timely surgical intervention should be administered to effectively treat the disease.

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Written by He Zong Quan
General Surgery
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Can intussusception pass gas?

Intussusception should be considered when the patient shows symptoms of intestinal obstruction, namely pain, vomiting, distension, and paralysis, along with cessation of gas and stool passing through the anus. In the early stages of intussusception, there may be a small amount of gas and stool passage, but the presence of intussusception should not be overlooked, and imaging studies can be performed for confirmation. If there is a fluid level in the intestinal lumen and clear signs of intestinal obstruction, and if the patient can feel a distinct mass in the abdomen, which on imaging shows concentric ring-like changes, intussusception should be considered. Once diagnosed, timely treatment is essential, thus treatment should not be delayed until there is an absence of stool and gas passage.

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Written by Hu Qi Feng
Pediatrics
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Pediatric intussusception should see which department?

Intussusception often occurs in infants and young children, so the main symptoms are vomiting, bloody stools, and abdominal pain. Therefore, the initial consultation is usually in pediatric emergency. When intussusception is suspected as a cause of acute abdomen, the doctor will conduct intestinal tube and abdominal ultrasound examinations. If the ultrasound confirms intussusception, a transfer to pediatric surgery or emergency surgery may be considered for appropriate surgical treatment. Thus, the initial choice for consultation is usually pediatrics, but after a diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should be transferred to pediatric surgery.

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Written by Quan Xiang Mei
Pediatrics
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How to treat intussusception in children?

Intussusception in children is a common surgical condition. The treatment approach depends on the severity of the child's clinical symptoms. If the intestines have not been telescoped for long, and the intestinal mucosa has not suffered ischemic necrosis, and if the clinical symptoms are mild, air enema can be used to relieve the intussusception without the need for surgery. However, if the clinical symptoms are severe and necrosis has been prolonged, meaning the intestinal mucosa has reached a state of ischemia and necrosis that is irreparable, surgical treatment in a surgical setting is definitely required. Whether surgery or air enema is needed should be decided based on the actual color ultrasound results and a comprehensive diagnosis by the clinician.