What are the symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction?

The symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction are a common surgical acute abdomen. When the disease occurs, the most obvious symptom is abdominal pain. The disease is mainly divided into small bowel obstruction and large bowel obstruction. There are many causes of the disease, the most common of which are foreign bodies and inflammatory bowel disease. In order to better treat this disease, let's take a look at the symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction.

1. Symptoms

(1) Abdominal pain: Mechanical intestinal obstruction is manifested as paroxysmal colic, and the abdominal pain is sudden. Each time the abdominal pain occurs, it is mild at first, gradually becomes more severe, and the intervals between attacks are irregular. The pain is mostly in the middle of the abdomen, but may also be localized to the site of the obstruction. Abdominal pain may be accompanied by bowel sounds, and patients often feel that there is gas flowing in the abdomen. If it is an incomplete intestinal obstruction, the pain will suddenly decrease or disappear after the gas passes through the obstruction.

(2) Vomiting: often occurs after abdominal pain. Vomiting in high-level obstruction occurs earlier and is more frequent. In the early stage, it is reflexive and the vomitus is food or gastric juice, followed by gastric juice, duodenal juice and bile. Vomiting in low small intestinal obstruction occurs later and has a longer quiescent period. In the early stage, it is gastric contents, and in the later stage, it is intestinal contents accumulated in the intestines that are fecal-like and have a foul odor.

(3) Abdominal distension: It usually occurs a certain period of time after the obstruction occurs, and is more obvious in low-level obstruction than in high-level obstruction. High-level small-bowel obstruction is manifested by fullness in the middle upper abdomen, while low-level small-bowel obstruction is manifested by bloating in the entire abdomen, especially in the middle abdomen. Low colon obstruction is manifested by widespread distension of the abdomen.

(4) Cessation of bowel movements and gas discharge: This is one of the symptoms of complete intestinal obstruction. However, in the early stages, feces and gas remaining in the intestine below the obstruction can still be discharged. Care should be taken to inquire about the medical history in detail.

2. Signs: In the early stages of mechanical intestinal obstruction, vital signs may be normal. However, when the attack lasts for a long time, vomiting becomes frequent, and abdominal distension is obvious, dehydration or even shock may occur. Abdominal distension, intestinal patterns and intestinal peristaltic waves can be seen in the abdomen. Low-positioned small intestinal obstruction is step-shaped, and colon obstruction is horseshoe-shaped. A distended intestinal tube can be felt in the abdomen, which feels like an inflated balloon. In the early stage, there is a lot of gas accumulation in the intestinal cavity, and the percussion sound is tympanic In the later stage, there is more fluid in the intestinal cavity, and percussion is dull. Abdominal auscultation reveals hyperactive intestinal sounds, and the sound of air passing through water and metallic sounds can be heard.

Through the above introduction, you have a basic understanding of the clinical manifestations of mechanical intestinal obstruction. Doctors should remind patients with mechanical intestinal obstruction to pay attention to their psychology, diet, body position and gastrointestinal decompression care in daily life to alleviate the symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction. If the condition is serious, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.