Signs to watch out for: Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction is a condition in which a patient’s intestines are obstructed, either functionally or mechanically, preventing the normal movement of digestive products and causing them to accumulate in the body. Symptoms of intestinal obstruction include abdominal pain, vomiting, bowel obstruction, dehydration, abdominal distention, floating loops of intestine, signs of snakes crawling, and gurgling sounds due to gas and fluid in the intestines.

Abdominal pain is the initial symptom of intestinal obstruction, characterized by intermittent and spreading pain throughout the abdomen. Vomiting occurs alongside the pain and can progress from food to bile to stool-like vomit. Constipation may also be present a few hours after the onset of the disease. The whole body symptoms depend on the mechanism and location of the obstruction, with signs of dehydration becoming more obvious as the obstruction progresses.

Physical signs of intestinal obstruction include distended and soft abdomen, floating intestinal loops, and signs of snakes crawling. Abdominal examination may show localized reactions on twisted intestinal loops or resonant percussion due to bloating. Additional causes of intestinal obstruction include colon tumors, small bowel tumors, masses, hernias, and other medical conditions.

In addition to physical symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction, it is important to seek medical attention for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Various medical resources and guidelines are available to help manage and address intestinal obstruction effectively.