Re: TONI...Have you read this: How to Detect Intestinal Obstruction.....
From: toni welsh (twelsh1@hotmail.com)
Sun Mar 4 15:05:23 2001
At Sun, 4 Mar 2001, Helen Dynda wrote:
>
>TONI...Have you read this article? How many of these symptoms are you
>experiencing? If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, please be
>sure to seek medical attention.
>
>[] How to Detect Intestinal Obstruction...Intestinal obstruction is a
>serious surgical emergency. If neglected, it can lead to strangulation and
>gangrene of bowel that can be fatal. Identifying intestinal obstruction and
>seeking early medical attention is therefore critical.
>
>a.. Abdominal pain is a common feature. The pain is often central abdominal
>and colicky -- that it, it waxes and wanes in severity.
>
>b.. Vomiting is another constant feature in intestinal obstruction.
>
>c.. In upper intestinal obstruction, the vomiting is bilious, green or
>yellow, bitter or sour tasting.
>
>d.. Vomiting usually follows abdominal pain.
>
>e.. After a few hours, obstipation occurs. The patient does not pass either
>flatus or stools.
>
>f.. Distension of the abdomen is another characteristic feature. It is more
>pronounced in distal bowel obstruction and progressively increases over
>time.
>
>g.. Temperature is usually normal unless complications set in.
>
>h.. Persons who have had prior abdominal surgery are at higher risk because
>of scarring from the first surgery.
>
>i.. Hernias are another frequent cause of intestinal obstruction and all
>patients with hernias should be on guard against the onset of these
>symptoms.
>
>j.. If the obstruction remains unrelieved, pain increases in severity and
>becomes constant .
>
>k.. Complications like strangulation ( loss of blood supply to intestine )
>or perforation of the intestine should be suspected when this happens.
>
>l.. Other signs of complications are the change to a more foul smelling
>feculent vomitus, high fever and sharp localization of abdominal pain.
>
>m.. An abdominal x-ray examination will often clinch the diagnosis revealing
>dilated loops of intestines with multiple air-fluid levels.
>
>n.. Emergency resuscitation measures must be instituted and early surgery is
>often indicated.
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>[] Tips:
>
>a.. Early diagnosis prevents many complications.
>
>b.. High risk patients should be on guard against symptoms of obstruction.
>
>c.. When in doubt, seek medical attention.
>
>~ ~ ~ ~
>
>[ NOTE: I did not include the Url because it was so terribly long.]
Helen,
Yes, I read this , ans thank you, I am concerned, but I have gotten
relief today, but I have not eaten much at all. Yesterday I ate a
donut, that I suffered for, and it was really bad around midnight last
night. I did call the dr on call today, and he was real confused as he
did not know me, and said he did not understand why I had diarreha all
week, and my GI dr told me to take laxatives, thinking it was a
impaction. He mentioned to go to ER if I could not wait til tomorrow,
and I am trying to do that. I told my husband I will have to go, if
this got any worse, I palnn on eating a bowl of soup this evening for
dinner. I am afraid of obstuctions, and you know that, but I have not
had any vomiting.
I would run if that happens, I have more colicky pain, and it is very
high, I normally do not have pain here.
This and diarreha are all new to me, believe me. I appreciate all the
help you have given me and all us on this forum. I do not believe the
weight that I lost just since Thursday. I was gaining some weight back
, and it fell off really fast. If I end up going to ER, I will let you
all knw. There has been no diarreha since early this morning. I did
call a dr tho, and he said I should stop all enemas, and laxatives. This
has been a rough week, something different I am definitely not used to.
Take care,
Toni
The dr said not having a fever, and no vomiting is a good sign, but I
told him I felt sick yesterday, but when all that pressure builds up so
high in your abdomen, it is going to make you feel sick. ALl I know is
I sure could use a good night's sleep!!!