The Wilmington morning star., 1946-06-13
Doctor Says
pain IS CAUSED
BY OBSTRUCTION
By WILLIAM a. oBRIEx, NJ

The chief complaints OF pa+ia1''
with small bowel obs.ruct,on .'S
abdominal pain and vomjtna ''e
later, d%iStention. In cbz.rnc+9o' ~o,
the large intestine (coIonl o'
tention and pain may deveJoO Wy 5
fore vomiting,
Bowel obstruction pain is io...
mittent, crampy, and colickT ,'''s.'
sembling "gas" pains. As ~
eral rule, it lasts a few minH SYN
quickly reaches its peak ~,
abruptly disappears, the intar TrI
between pains varying with IL.
cause of the obstruction. VT
Admissions formation Of fibr,n.
bands) across the bowel WV
hernia (protrusion of the bo 941
through a performed openingI
are the usual causes of CbstrS.
ton. Other causes are a lars,
gladstone blocking the passaoa
way, volvolus twisting Of IN.
bowel, intussusception fteIescon
ing of the bowel, and growts,
The bowel CT a newborn in,s,.
may be obstructed due to the fail.
ure Of an external opening Car,n
to form.
In simple bowel obstruction. IN.
major difficulty is d~istention Of ts
bowel, which i~nterferes with j.,
blood supply. In simple incCmpIo.o
obstruction, it is possible In mas,
a tube down through the stomacb
and siphon off The accumula,ed
gas and fluid above the obstrtc
ton.
This method, which proved 81
valuable in prewar days in civil
life, was extensively used by he
armed forces all over the world
and many lives were saved as
result. Surgeons also employ 'as
tube to keep the stomach and
bowel free OF excess gas and fluid
following operations.
When the obstruction continue,
and relief is rot obtained. it il
necessary to tap the bowel above
the obstructed point and drain it
to the outside. If, in addition
there is beginning gangrene. this
portion of the bowel may be re.
moved.
Delay may be serious in bowel
obstruction. Patients who suspect
that they have obstruction should
never take a cathartic or laxative
to overcome the block, as further
damage to the distended bowel
may occur.
Certain varieties Of bowel oo.
struction, especially those due TO
neglected hcrnias, are prevent
able.
Patients with bowel obstruction
become dehydrated from vomiting
fluid collection in the bowel, anil
it may be necessary to give them
large quantities of salt and water
by vein. Sedatives are net girel
before the nature of the abdoni.
nal disturbance is determined. be.
cause if the pain is thus easel
the patient may be lulled into a
false sense of security, and treat
ment may, therefore, be delayed
When bowel obstruction is ss'
pected, a physician should be
called promptly. A quick trip %
the hospital is life-saving in cases
requiring immediate operation
while patients with incomplete
simple obstruction are given re-
lief, and, if the signs and sym9-
toms persist, an operation is lae,
performed on them.
Bowel obstruction may develop
with peritonitis Gnflammation Of
the abdominal cavity, in whica
distention and interference with
breathing are most TROUBLESOME
The outlook depends Upon ,'
cause, but suction through a tube
may bring great relief.
QUESTION: Our little girl is 10
months old. Since she was tive
months OF age, she has beer hold
ing her breath when she crl?s
especially when she is tired Or
physician has assured us that she
cannot die from holding ne'
breath, as aftec a certain time she
will become unconscious and start
breathing again. Is this correc"
ANSWER: This is true. YOU
child has a behavior problem
which is causing her to hold her
breath. After she is adjusted she
will discontinue the practice. S''
may hold her breath until she mas
oony,,1c;onc