Intussusception: symptoms, causes, drugs, etc. • hello healthy

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Definition

What is intussusception (invagination)?

Intussusception or invagination is a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into another part of the intestine. Part of the intestine folds, so that one part slides into another, like a telescope.

The intestines become obstructed. Food and liquids cannot pass. The blood flow to the intestines may also be obstructed, which can cause that part of the intestine to be injured or die.

Intussusception is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children under three years of age. Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, the cause of most cases of invagination is often unknown.

In children, the intestines can usually be pushed back into position with an X-ray procedure. In adults, surgery is often needed to correct the problem.

How common is this condition?

Intussusception is the condition most commonly affecting infants and children between 3 months and 6 years of age. Boys are two to three times more likely to develop the disease than girls, but it is rare among adults.

The disease can be overcome by reducing your child's risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of intussusception (invagination)?

Intussusception is a condition that has many symptoms. This condition is one of the causes for babies to experience stomach cramps. The abdominal pain then causes the baby to suddenly cry loudly and they will usually pull their knees over their chest.

Painful episodes can last 10 to 15 minutes or more, followed by a period of 20 to 30 minutes without pain, then the pain returns again.

Severe stomach pain in children came and went. The child may also vomit and become pale and sweaty. When the intestinal blockage gets worse, blood and mucus can appear in the stool and the stomach may swell.

The child may become lethargic and weak. Sometimes a lump can be felt in the stomach. Other signs and symptoms include diarrhea, fever, and dehydration.

Some of the other symptoms or signs may not be listed above. If you feel anxious about these symptoms, consult your doctor immediately.

When to go to the doctor

Intussusception is one of the emergency conditions that need to be treated immediately. Call health care workers immediately if you see symptoms. Then call 911 or take your child to the emergency room. Untreated intussusception is almost always fatal for infants and young children.

Cause

What causes intussusception (invagination)?

The causes of most cases of intussusception are not clear. This may occur more frequently in children who have a family history of the disease.

In some cases, experts mentioned by Stanford Children's Health, invagination has been linked to other conditions. These include viral infections, tumors or stomach or intestinal masses, appendicitis, parasites, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, and Crohn's disease.

Risk factors

What increases the risk of intussusception (invagination)?

The risk factors for intussusception are:

• Age. Children are much more at risk of developing intussusception than adults. Age is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction in children between 6 months and 3 years of age.
• Gender. Intussusception is more common in boys.
• Abnormal bowel formation at birth. A condition at birth (congenital) in which the intestine does not develop properly (malrotation) is also a risk factor for intussusception.
• Previous history of intussusception. Once you have developed intussusception, you are at increased risk of developing the disease again.
• AIDS. There is evidence of an increased incidence of intussusception in people who have AIDS.

Medicines & Medicines

The information described is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are the treatment options for intussusception (invagination)?

Invagination treatment usually occurs as a medical emergency. Emergency medical care is needed to avoid dehydration and severe shock, and prevent infections that can occur when a portion of the intestine dies from lack of blood.

Treatment will depend on the child's symptoms, age, and health condition. The treatment also depends on how severe the condition is.

Initial care

When your child arrives at the hospital, the doctor will first stabilize the medical condition. These actions include:

• Give your child fluids via an intravenous (IV) line
• Helps the intestines become decompressed by placing a tube through the child's nose and still into the stomach (nasogastric tube).

Improve intussusception

The doctor will correct the invagination in the following ways:

• Barium or air enema. If this procedure is successful, further treatment is usually unnecessary. This treatment is very effective in children and is rarely used in adults.
• Operation. If the intestine is torn or if the enema doesn't work, surgery is needed. The surgeon will free the trapped portion of the intestine, clear any blockages, and if necessary, remove the intestinal tissue that has died. Surgery is a common treatment for adults and for people who are acutely ill.

In some cases, intussusception can go away without any treatment. However, invagination can cause serious problems if it is not treated properly. These problems are:

• Intestinal infections
• Intestinal tissue death
• Internal bleeding
• A severe stomach infection, called peritonitis.

What are the tests to diagnose this condition?

The health worker provides an initial diagnosis from the medical history and physical examination. If the child looks very sick, has a fever, or is losing blood, or if these symptoms last a few hours, surgery will be done sooner to resolve the problem.

For a more stable child, the next step is usually a barium enema. In this test, a liquid containing a substance called barium is given. A special X-ray is taken when the barium moves into the intestines.

Barium helps with diagnosis and can sometimes straighten the intestines by force. Because of this, barium enema also acts as a treatment.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can treat intussusception (invagination)?

Lifestyle and home remedies below that may help treat intussusception are:

• Follow the rules, instructions, and schedule for consultation with the doctor.
• It is forbidden to use home remedies, such as laxatives as they can be dangerous.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor to better understand the best solution for you.

Hello Health Group does not provide health advice, diagnosis or treatment.