Intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstruction may come on either slowly or suddenly; a common cause is a strangulated hernia. The bowel will always try to push intestinal contents past any obstruction, and as it does so the bowel muscle will contract strongly, causing colicky pain. The strong contractions may be seen and also heard as loud gurgling noises.

In the early stages, the patient may often complain of an attack of wind and constipation.

Later on he can pass neither wind nor faeces downwards. The patient's abdomen may distend and harden, owing to the production of gas he cannot get rid of, and the bowel sounds become louder. The patient may vomit, at first the stomach contents and later faecal matter.

General treatment

As one of the causes of obstruction is a stran­gulated hernia, look carefully for this condition and do everything possible to alleviate it, if present. Whatever the cause, it is essential for the patient to be removed as quickly as possible to a place where surgical treatment can be carried out to relieve the obstruction. Delay can be fatal. Get RADIO MEDICAL ADVICE.

In the meantime, put the patient to bed. Give him nothing by mouth except water to wash out his mouth if he vomits. Fluids may need to be given intravenously to maintain fluid balance. Get RADIO MEDICAL ADVICE.

Specific treatment

The patient may be given morphine, 10 mg intramuscularly.

UNIT 8

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