Fahmida Hashem :
Now Intestinal obstruction is very common NCD in Bangladesh. It have many alternative names like Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction – intestinal; Colonic ileus. Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel.
Intestinal obstruction occurs when there is a blockage of your small or large intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of fluid or digested food. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.
Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include, adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery, foreign bodies (objects that are swallowed and block the intestines), Gallstones (rare), Hernias, Impacted, Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another), Tumors blocking the intestines, Volvulus (twisted intestine) .Symptoms are Abdominal swelling (distention), gas, Abdominal and cramping, Breath,Constipation, Diarrhea, Inability to pass gas, Vomiting. Complications may include or may lead to Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances, Dehydration, Hole (perforation) in the intestine, Infection and Jaundice.
Tests that show obstruction include: Abdominal CT scan, abdominal x-ray, Barium,Upper GI and small bowel series. Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine. This is to help relieve abdominal swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum. Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms. It may also be needed if there are signs of tissue death.
It is sometimes most practical for your doctor and you to take a ‘wait and see’ approach if you recover from one or two episodes of bowel obstruction without surgery.
You may eventually require surgery to correct the cause of the blockage or to prevent future episodes, but not everyone needs surgery.
Diet has been designed to minimise the risk of food causing a bowel obstruction because of a narrowing of the bowel from stricturesor other causes. Follow a low fiberdiet, Chewall food well. If a food cannot be thoroughly chewed, it should be avoided. Cooking your food well can sometimes make it easier to chew. Some people find that in order to avoid symptoms they need to have soft/puree foods and/or nutritious fluids only.
Do you want to know How to prevent constipation when on a low fiber diet? Include pureed or soft/well cooked fruit and vegetables. Ensure you are drinking plenty throughout the day.
Consider
a fibersupplement like isub-gulervushi.You may be able to reduce your risk of some forms of bowel obstruction by modifying your diet and lifestyle.
A specific diet after the obstruction is removed is recommended to allow your digestive system to heal. A clear liquid diet, starting with plane water, coconut water and advancing to half-cup to one-cup portions, is first. With oral intake, you are monitored for any symptoms of diet intolerance such as vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain.
The full liquid diet includes all of the foods allowed on the clear liquid diet in addition to milk, smooth yogurt, pudding, creamed soups, and hot cereals with refined grains. You can add milkshakes, tomato soup or chicken soup, smoothies and oatmeal to your diet. Since this diet is also limited in calories and protein, high protein supplements may be recommended to support healing.
Temporarily limiting the amount of fiber you get encourages diet tolerance and bowel healing. High fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains should initially be limited. Examples of foods to avoid are raw fruits and vegetables, especially those with skins, beans such as black, white or kidney and whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Select foods low in fiber or with 3 grams or less of fiber per serving. If you are told to follow a low residue diet for a more than a week or two, check with your doctor to determine if you need a multivitamin to supplement the vitamins and minerals you are missing on this diet.
Now Intestinal obstruction is very common NCD in Bangladesh. It have many alternative names like Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction – intestinal; Colonic ileus. Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel.
Intestinal obstruction occurs when there is a blockage of your small or large intestine. The blockage prevents the passage of fluid or digested food. The contents of the intestine cannot pass through it.
Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include, adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery, foreign bodies (objects that are swallowed and block the intestines), Gallstones (rare), Hernias, Impacted, Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another), Tumors blocking the intestines, Volvulus (twisted intestine) .Symptoms are Abdominal swelling (distention), gas, Abdominal and cramping, Breath,Constipation, Diarrhea, Inability to pass gas, Vomiting. Complications may include or may lead to Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances, Dehydration, Hole (perforation) in the intestine, Infection and Jaundice.
Tests that show obstruction include: Abdominal CT scan, abdominal x-ray, Barium,Upper GI and small bowel series. Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine. This is to help relieve abdominal swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum. Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms. It may also be needed if there are signs of tissue death.
It is sometimes most practical for your doctor and you to take a ‘wait and see’ approach if you recover from one or two episodes of bowel obstruction without surgery.
You may eventually require surgery to correct the cause of the blockage or to prevent future episodes, but not everyone needs surgery.
Diet has been designed to minimise the risk of food causing a bowel obstruction because of a narrowing of the bowel from stricturesor other causes. Follow a low fiberdiet, Chewall food well. If a food cannot be thoroughly chewed, it should be avoided. Cooking your food well can sometimes make it easier to chew. Some people find that in order to avoid symptoms they need to have soft/puree foods and/or nutritious fluids only.
Do you want to know How to prevent constipation when on a low fiber diet? Include pureed or soft/well cooked fruit and vegetables. Ensure you are drinking plenty throughout the day.
Consider
a fibersupplement like isub-gulervushi.You may be able to reduce your risk of some forms of bowel obstruction by modifying your diet and lifestyle.
A specific diet after the obstruction is removed is recommended to allow your digestive system to heal. A clear liquid diet, starting with plane water, coconut water and advancing to half-cup to one-cup portions, is first. With oral intake, you are monitored for any symptoms of diet intolerance such as vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain.
The full liquid diet includes all of the foods allowed on the clear liquid diet in addition to milk, smooth yogurt, pudding, creamed soups, and hot cereals with refined grains. You can add milkshakes, tomato soup or chicken soup, smoothies and oatmeal to your diet. Since this diet is also limited in calories and protein, high protein supplements may be recommended to support healing.
Temporarily limiting the amount of fiber you get encourages diet tolerance and bowel healing. High fiber foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains should initially be limited. Examples of foods to avoid are raw fruits and vegetables, especially those with skins, beans such as black, white or kidney and whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Select foods low in fiber or with 3 grams or less of fiber per serving. If you are told to follow a low residue diet for a more than a week or two, check with your doctor to determine if you need a multivitamin to supplement the vitamins and minerals you are missing on this diet.
(Fahmida Hashem is
a nutrition expert)
