Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Bowel obstruction, also known as intestinal obstruction, is a mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines which prevents the normal movement of the products of digestion. [2] [5] Either the small bowel or large bowel may be affected. [1] Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating and not passing gas. [1]
Ogilvie syndrome, or acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, is the acute dilatation of the colon in the absence of any mechanical obstruction in severely ill patients. [ 1 ] Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is characterized by massive dilatation of the cecum (diameter > 10 cm) and right colon on abdominal X-ray.
Volvulus causes severe pain and progressive injury to the intestinal wall, with accumulation of gas and fluid in the portion of the bowel obstructed. [11] Ultimately, this can result in necrosis of the affected intestinal wall, acidosis, and death. This is known as a closed-loop obstruction because there exists an isolated ("closed") loop of bowel.
Typically such patients complain of defecation urgency and frequent bowel movements, but only small fecal pellets are passed leaving a sensation of incomplete evacuation. During defecation patients may need to support the perineum on both sides, or evacuate fecal pellets from the rectum with a finger. There may be post defecation incontinence.
Although uncommon in the general population, ischemic colitis occurs with greater frequency in the elderly, and is the most common form of bowel ischemia. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 3 ] Causes of the reduced blood flow can include changes in the systemic circulation (e.g. low blood pressure ) or local factors such as constriction of blood vessels or a blood ...
DIOS was previously known as meconium ileus equivalent, a name which highlights its similarity to the intestinal obstruction seen in newborn infants with cystic fibrosis. [2] DIOS tends to occur in older individuals with pancreatic insufficiency.
Fecal vomiting occurs when the bowel is obstructed for some reason, and intestinal contents cannot move normally. Peristaltic waves occur in an attempt to decompress the intestine, and the strong contractions of the intestinal muscles push the contents backwards through the pyloric sphincter into the stomach, where they are then vomited.
Bowel obstruction is most often caused by intestinal adhesions, which frequently form after abdominal surgeries, or by chronic infections such as diverticulitis, hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The condition may be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms may resemble those of other bowel disorders. [4]