Does intestinal obstruction cause fever?

Written by Zhang Peng
General Surgery
Updated on September 04, 2024
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It is possible, as the primary pathophysiological change in intestinal obstruction is the translocation of intestinal flora causing infection, which can lead to symptoms such as fever. Therefore, fever is also a factor in assessing the condition. If a patient has persistent high fever, they may even develop septic shock, which could necessitate surgical intervention such as exploratory laparotomy. Thus, fever is a common factor in intestinal obstruction, but it is not a mandatory one.

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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 Zhang Peng
General Surgery
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Is intestinal obstruction dangerous?

Whether intestinal obstruction is dangerous depends on the actual individualized level. If the obstruction has progressed to symptoms of peritonitis, and if intestinal necrosis cannot be ruled out, not performing timely exploratory laparotomy surgery could potentially endanger the patient's life. However, if it is just a mild incomplete obstruction, with signs of passing gas and stools, and the patient’s abdominal symptoms are not pronounced, and related examinations are not concerning, then the risk to the patient might be relatively smaller. Therefore, in such cases, it is not possible to generalize, and decisions need to be made based on the individual situation.

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Written by Li Jin Quan
General Surgery
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How to deal with intestinal obstruction?

Patients with intestinal obstruction commonly present with abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and cessation of passing gas or stool. Treatment for intestinal obstruction primarily includes conservative management and surgical intervention. Conservative treatment firstly involves gastrointestinal decompression, abstaining from food and drink, and, if necessary, the insertion of a gastric tube. The second step is to enhance anti-inflammatory measures to prevent infections within the abdominal cavity. The third step is proactive fluid replenishment to prevent disorders of water and electrolyte balance. Along with aggressive conservative treatment, the patient's overall condition should be monitored. If a pseudo-obstruction occurs, surgical treatment should be actively pursued.

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

The treatment methods for intestinal obstruction can be divided into non-surgical and surgical treatments in clinical practice. In our clinic, most cases of intestinal obstruction, such as adhesive obstruction or parasitic obstruction, can be alleviated through gastrointestinal decompression, enemas, and rapid expulsion of gas and stools, achieving the therapeutic goal. However, a small portion of intestinal obstructions do not respond to non-surgical treatments, and vital signs cannot be maintained; such cases require active surgical intervention.

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Written by Xu Jun Hui
General Surgery
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How long to fast for intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction and the barrier to the passage of intestinal contents can lead to intestinal obstruction, typically characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, cessation of passing gas and stools, and in cases of high intestinal obstruction, it may also involve nausea and vomiting. How long fasting should be continued in the case of intestinal obstruction depends on whether the patient has resumed passing gas and stools, as well as whether symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting have subsided. If the patient's abdominal pain and bloating have mostly subsided, passing gas and stools have resumed, and there is no bloody stool or symptoms of nausea and vomiting, then a gradual reintroduction of a liquid diet can be started. If abdominal pain and bloating do not worsen, and there is passing gas and stools, then a transition to a semi-liquid diet until a normal diet is resumed can be made. Therefore, the duration of fasting for intestinal obstruction should be determined based on the effectiveness of the treatment for the obstruction.