Symptoms of intestinal obstruction

Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
Updated on September 06, 2024
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Intestinal obstruction is caused by any factor that causes blockage of the intestinal tube. Compression and twisting cause the intestinal contents to not pass normally, leading to obstructive symptoms. Clinically, intestinal obstruction mainly presents with four major symptoms: first, intermittent abdominal pain; second, vomiting, where the higher the location of the obstruction, the earlier and more frequent the vomiting, consisting mainly of food or gastric fluid. If the location of the obstruction is lower, the vomiting is delayed and less frequent and may include fecal matter; third, abdominal distension, which generally occurs after the obstruction has been present for some time, and its severity is related to the location of the obstruction; fourth, cessation of gas and feces discharge through the anus.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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Can you fart with intestinal obstruction?

Intestinal obstruction is caused by any reason that prevents the passage of intestinal contents. Intestinal obstruction can be divided into acute, partial, and acute complete intestinal obstruction. In complete obstruction, there is a cessation of both gas and feces passage from the anus. Partial obstruction may still allow the passage of gas from the anus, i.e., farting, or a small amount of bowel movement. Acute complete intestinal obstruction is accompanied by abdominal pain and distension, with no gas or feces passing through the anus. Higher intestinal obstructions may also involve nausea and vomiting. Treatment requires gastrointestinal decompression, anti-inflammatory hydration, and if necessary, enema treatment until intestinal function is restored and gas and bowel movements can occur.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Does intestinal obstruction expel gas?

Intestinal obstruction typically refers to the inability of the intestinal contents to pass through the intestines and be expelled from the body normally. Common clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and cessation of bowel movements and passing gas. However, in some cases, such as partial intestinal obstruction or high intestinal obstruction, gas can still be expelled from the anus below the obstruction site. This means that some intestinal obstructions can still pass gas, but the ability to pass gas does not mean the patient has recovered.

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Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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How to relieve intestinal obstruction

How to alleviate intestinal obstruction, which means how to treat intestinal obstruction. After the occurrence of intestinal obstruction, it is first important to clarify what intestinal obstruction is. Intestinal obstruction is characterized by cessation of gas and stool passage from the anus, and is usually accompanied by symptoms such as abdominal distension, nausea, vomiting, and even fever. If intestinal obstruction occurs, firstly, do not eat or drink, and then carry out appropriate examinations to identify the cause of the obstruction. If it is adhesive obstruction, treatment generally includes fasting, gastrointestinal decompression, anti-inflammatory treatment, fluid replenishment, and enemas as symptomatic treatment measures, trying to keep the treatment as conservative as possible. If the obstruction is caused by a tumor, it is preferable to perform surgery to remove the obstruction based on a clear diagnosis, as this is the only effective treatment.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How is intestinal obstruction diagnosed?

The main clinical manifestations of intestinal obstruction include abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, and cessation of gas and bowel movements from the anus. During the physical examination, tenderness in the abdomen can be observed, as well as hyperactive bowel sounds. Laboratory tests may reveal increased red and white blood cell counts, and electrolyte imbalances. Supplementary examinations, such as abdominal X-ray films, can show dilation of the intestinal tube, air and fluid accumulation within the abdominal cavity, and the presence of fluid-air levels. Abdominal ultrasound can also reveal air and fluid accumulation in the intestinal tube. Through the above examinations, intestinal obstruction can be diagnosed.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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Is intestinal obstruction serious?

When the contents of the intestine cannot be normally expelled through the intestinal tract, it is called intestinal obstruction. Its clinical manifestations mainly include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, cessation of defecation and flatulence from the anus. The treatment of intestinal obstruction mainly includes conservative treatment and surgical treatment, with the vast majority of patients receiving conservative treatment. This includes gastrointestinal decompression, abstinence from drinking and eating, enhanced anti-inflammatory therapy, and maintenance of electrolyte balance. Only a small portion of patients require surgical treatment. After treatment, the vast majority of patients with intestinal obstruction can recover normally, which means that intestinal obstruction is not a very serious illness.