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Certain gastrointestinal conditions require immediate emergency treatment, and for most people, it could be in the form of a surgical procedure. Most GI emergencies are characterised by intense abdominal pain, and immediate medical attention must be sought to quickly diagnose the problem and save the person's life. Here are some of the conditions that lead to GI emergency.
Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstructions occur when the intestine is completely blocked and stops the passage of fluids, digestive juices, food and gas through the intestine. The obstruction can occur anywhere in the small or large intestine for various causes. It could be because of scar tissue from abdominal surgery, tumours or hernias in adults. In infants, it can be caused by twisting the intestine, hernia, birth defect or telescoping of the intestinal segment.
If the block is not cleared in time, it could result in swelling and eventually rupture of the intestine leading to serious complications such as inflammation and infection. Individuals suspected of intestinal obstruction need to be hospitalised immediately. GI treatment in Bangalore given can include,
Fluids administered intravenously
Suction using a nasogastric tube
Surgery for intestinal strangulation
Colostomy in severe cases
Appendicitis
The appendix is a small vestigial organ protruding out of the large intestine. Blockages inside the appendix can cause the organ to become inflamed, resulting in intense abdominal pain, fever and nausea. Appendicitis is often the cause of sudden severe and sharp abdominal pain in people. If the inflammation continues without treatment, the appendix can rupture, leading to a medical emergency. The pus-filled contents can flow into the abdominal cavity and result in an infection (peritonitis).
The main treatment for appendicitis is a surgical procedure, and delaying can exacerbate the condition and pain and cause life risk. Once the symptoms show up, an infected appendix can rupture in as little as 36 hours.
Abdominal abscesses
An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms because of a bacterial infection in the body. Abscesses can form in a number of different places in the body, such as the kidneys, pancreas, spleen, liver or prostate gland. Abscesses can sometimes grow without treatment and infect the nearby blood vessels leading to Sepsis which can be fatal if not treated on time. Abscesses can be detected in body scans and treated by draining the pus along with a dose of antibiotics.
Blockage of blood flow
The blockage of blood flow to the intestines can lead to an emergency under conditions such as,
Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: This condition is characterised by a sudden blockage of blood flow to the intestines, which can lead to the perforation (puncture) of the organ or gangrene. The condition is accompanied by sudden onset of acute pain, and immediate treatment should be given using angiography or a surgical procedure.
Ischemic colitis: This condition is characterised by a sudden interruption of blood flow to the large intestine from the major arteries that feed the colon. Although the cause is often hard to find, it is seen mostly in people with heart and blood vessel disease or those with increased blood clotting problems. Consult with a team of experts at Manipal Hospitals now.
