Gastric Obstruction – Causes, Symptoms & Treatments
Your bowels are tasked with removing waste
and toxins from your body, as well as absorbing salts, liquids,
nutrients, indigestible vitamins. They do it to extract all possible
nutrients that weren’t digested in the stomach and maintain the balance
of electrolytes in your system.
When your bowels are not functioning well,
they collect the waste and toxins they’re supposed to get rid of,
resulting in various diseases and health issues. If left undiagnosed and
untreated, obstructed bowels lead to kidney and liver-related health
problems. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about bowel
obstruction, symptoms that should serve as warning signals, and the
natural home remedies needed to fix and prevent it.
What causes gastric obstructions?
The reasons for obstructed bowels are plentiful, such as hernias, cysts,
tumors, etc. Another reason is overeating foods that are harmful to our
bodies, such as food rich in preservatives and other chemicals. These
chemicals lead to a buildup of mucus in the guts, which releases toxins
that can damage the body. Another cause is a buildup of fecal matter or
foreign bodies in the lower intestine.
Bezoars can also cause gastric obstructions.
Bezoars are a fibrous lump
that forms in the stomach, and the most common type is formed of
undigested pieces of food. They are mainly composed out of plant
cellulose, most common in unripe fruit and persimmons.
Men are in a higher risk group for contracting phytobezoars in their
stomachs, with symptoms that include upper gastric pains, feeling full
soon after beginning to eat, nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite and loss
of weight. Symptoms only appear in 10-25% of the cases, making
phytobezoars hard to diagnose, and can lead to gastric obstructions.
What happens when your gastrointestinal system is obstructed?
When the small intestine is blocked, it will begin contracting in order
to move its content beyond the obstruction, which can lead to frequent
diarrhea. In later stages, it will become less effective, causing a
buildup of water and electrolytes that can lead to dehydration.
The obstruction will also create pressure on the intestinal walls, and
if left untreated – will only get worse. This can lead to venous
drainage obstruction, a rising of the diaphragm, and a suppression of
the lungs’ function. The obstruction itself will aid in the bacterial
buildup, in particular, E-Coli, Klebsiella, and Enterococcus Faecalis.
The bacteria colonies will grow very quickly, increasing the chances of
gangrene and intestinal punctures.
Patients lose their ability to pass feces and gasses along the
intestine, causing swelling and increasing stomach pains. The large
intestine will expand due to the buildup of bacterium, liquids, feces
and gasses.
Which symptoms can indicate an obstruction?
Symptoms can be evidence of obstruction caused be stomach cramping or
phytobezoars. Once you notice these symptoms, it is recommended that you
pay a visit to your family doctor, to evaluate the nature of the
obstruction. Not all symptoms may appear, but they will appear in these
general groups:
Constipation, diarrhea, flatulence, lethargy and swelling.
Headaches, memory loss, blurred vision.
Burning sensation in the upper digestive system.
Weight gain, lack of energy and indigestion.
Ulcers in the stomach and Duodenum, ulcerative colitis and stomach
inflammation.
Urinary tract infections and inflammation of the kidneys.
Constant colds, allergies, joint pains and chronic diseases.
Treatments:
The most basic treatment is hooking the patient up to an IV, which can
only be performed by a doctor. In some cases, the obstructions can be
relieved by using a nasogastric tube, and in severe cases, an operation
will be required. An enema may help in some cases, but if performed
incorrectly – can lead to internal bleeding.
The simplest, natural treatment for intestinal obstruction is eating 1-3
tablespoons of flax seeds, combined with 100-15ml of Kefir (a type of
fermented milk drink) for three days. Flax seeds help the body dispose
of fecal matter, mucus and parasites. Additionally, flax seeds can help
prevent several forms of cancer, heart diseases, diabetes, and even help
lower cholesterol levels. Kefir contains many probiotic bacteria,
enzymes, vitamin B12 and proteins, all of which are good for your body.
Kefir also helps in restoring the gastric biome and is lactose-free.
To clear your intestines from obstructions, add kefir and flax seeds to
your breakfast in this manner:
1st week: 100ml of kefir and one tablespoon of flax seeds
2nd week: 100ml of kefir and two tablespoons of flax seeds
3rd week: 150ml of kefir and three tablespoons of flax seeds
Additionally, drink at least two liters of water every day.
Prevention:
The best way to unblock a phytobezoar obstruction is by eating food that
is high in protein and low in fiber. Once the blockage is gone, follow
these dietary tips to heal and prevent re-occurrences.
Beverages: It is advised that you keep your body well hydrated.
Drink fruit-shakes, water, and sports drinks that are rich in
electrolytes.
Avoid high-fat dairy. Stick to low-fat or fat-free products.
Grains and bread: Fiber from whole grain tends to slow down the
digestive process. Focus on plain white bread, pasta, and regular grain.
Fruits and vegetables: Boiled or canned fruits and vegetables are
the way to go. Avoid eating the skin. Watermelon, melons, and bananas
can be consumed fresh. Avoid high-fiber fruits and vegetables.
Meat and meat substitutes: Protein is essential to the healing
process. Stick to skinless chicken or turkey meat. Other kinds of lean
meat, such as fish, eggs and tofu are also good.
Other: Avoid fried foods and use as little butter as possible.
Boiled or steamed foods are the most recommended. Minimize the use of
seasoning and fatty sauces and dressings.