The Formation of Bowel Obstructions

To maintain its long tubular length, the small intestine or “bowel” undergoes dozens of loops and folds as it absorbs nutrients en route from the stomach to the large intestines.

Since the bowel is not located within the rib cage, which encases or partially protects many of the upper abdominal organs (stomach, pancreas, and spleen), the bowel is exposed to more trauma than many other organs. Whether it receives the blow of a steering wheel or air bag in a car accident, or a more indirect trauma, such as absorbing the shock of a fall, the bowel may be more susceptible to trauma than the neighboring organs above it.

The bowel is also close to and adjacent to the pelvic organs. These structures are even more susceptible to tissue damage from infections, inflammation, and surgery. These organs are often deeply involved in cases of endometriosis, infections such as Chlamydia and pelvic inflammatory disease, and traumas such as a fall onto the back, hip or tailbone.

Finally, the bowels themselves are often diagnosed with inflammatory conditions such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and Crohn’s disease.

Any and all of these conditions may cause an adhesive response, as the body sends out thousands of tiny but powerful collagenous crosslinks to begin the healing process. Adhesions begin to form first at the site of greatest tissue damage, and then at other areas of inflammation.

In the best event, adhesions confine themselves to a small area on the surface of a single organ, the tissues below heal, and the body returns to normal function.

But when the geography of healing is more extensive, adhesions may spread more deeply into the organ, to support structures, or to neighboring organs. The subtle geographical shift between structures can set up a pattern of increased adhesion growth that may become problematic. The pull between structures tends to cause additional inflammation as the body participates in the activities of life. The inflammation begets more adhesions, and new adhesions can cause further inflammation. This can create a spiral of adhesion formation within the delicate folds of the bowels and lead to bowel obstruction.

Bowel adhesions may form as curtains or ropes within a section of the bowel, or between the loops of the intestines. Bowel adhesions can kink the intestines closed like a garden hose, or may form a glue-like ring or plug, restricting or totally blocking the passage designed to carry food through the bowel for processing and elimination. Thus these adhesions can create a weave of occlusion within the bowel, constricting its inner walls and slowly decreasing its ability to allow food and nutrients to pass

Any narrowing or closing of the small intestine by adhesions is referred to as a small bowel obstruction, occlusion, or blockage. The first indication of a bowel obstruction is often pain or nausea, accompanied by difficult or total inability to have a bowel movement. The recurrent build-up of adhesions can lead to a partial or total bowel obstruction. Treatment for partial bowel obstructions may be addressed through natural remedies such as the Wurn Technique®. A total bowel obstruction is a life-threatening condition that must be treated surgically by a physician.

About the Author

Know more about
Bowel Obstruction
and
Bowel Obstruction Treatment
.

Insidermedicine In Depth – July 23, 2010 – Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Be Sociable, Share!

•