strangled gut/knotted intestines/blockage

Blockages can have a number of causes...the food being eaten, amount of fluids, medications, exercise and of course medical.

If your friend is taking any opiates for pain, that can cause a blockage.

Has she discussed this issue with any of her doctors?  If not, then that is where she should start.  They can assess the situation and perhaps recommend a dietitian who can discuss food choices.  They may also want to do some tests to insure there is no medical reason for the blockages.

Since she is having a recurring problem, the doctor is the first choice for help.  I hesitate to offer "self help" advise until she has the consult.

You are a good friend to be checking on this for her.

Marie who loves kitties

Intestinal Blockages.....

Any abdominal surgery can result in blockages due to adhesions and hernias.

Adhesions are the most common case of blockages, and any surgery to remove an adhesion (or hernia) usually results in more blockages.

Adhesions are the normal process of the body healing itself. Calluses are formed around damaged intestine and organs to help protect them, but the calluses can act as a strangling tourniquet too. Wrapped around a section of intestine, it can narrow the passage enough to block the substance inside from passing through easily. The intestine can also adhere (stick to) another organ, keeping it from flexing normally to allow the passage of substance that may need extra room to pass through.

Chewing food well, is the usual customary answer to how to avoid a food blockage, but it matters little once an adhesion has formed. The passageway will get narrower as time passes and as the adhesion grows, until nothing will pass through easily. Water will back up.... a blockage can be total and life threatening at that stage.

Adhesions may be somewhat avoidable if the proper procedures are taking during abdominal surgery. There are agents that can be placed around organs and intestines to help protect them from sticking together. It's not a guarantee, but it's one helpful way to help avoid the situation. It's the best reason to locate a well experienced colorectal surgeon prior to surgery. Many General surgeons, and those without extensive experience with abdominal/digestive surgery, are unfamiliar with the practices that more specializing surgeons have acquired.

If the patient is susceptible to adhesions, not much will prevent them from forming; it's part of the normal healing process, like it or not.

If you feel like you have a blockage, have stomach pain, bloating, nausea, fever, and extreme distress, get ready for a trip to the ER. They can locate a blockage using a sonogram.

If the symptoms are bad, but not yet severe, drinking a warm beverage and massaging the abdomen can be helpful. Laying on the left side helps the passage of food.

Using an 18 hp "ShopVac" with their special anal adapter can work wonders also.
(ok, a little levity here....)    Seriously, JUST KIDDING - DO NOT TRY THAT

Do what can be done to relieve the obstruction, but -do not- take pain killers or ignore the progress of the obstruction. If matters seem to be getting worse, get to the ER and tell them you think you have an intestinal obstruction. If the blockage gets worse, it can be life threatening. It's nothing to fool with. Having your intestine burst inside you is worse than "messy", it is life threatening.

And if you're presently feeling OK, it's a great time to locate an experienced colorectal surgeon and have them at your call should you need them. It's better to have someone to call, than to depend on the hospital to drag a surgeon in at the last minute....... Be prepared. You have cancer? Always be prepared.

Best wishes,

John

Glad to be of any help!

The "NG" tube goes in the nose, out the back and down the throat and into the stomach to allow gas to escape. It's the buildup of gas that causes the pain, so aside from all the medical reasons for releasing the gas, removing the incredible discomfort is another important reason.

The insertion of the NG tube is what anyone that's ever had one, hates. I told 'em to "put me out" if they're going to attempt giving me one. They don't of course. You have to act totally nuts and convince them that you're going to kill anyone within 10 feet of you that tries to stuff that thing up your nose, before they'll seriously consider your "request".

I swear, the things they try to stuff into your orifices while you're in there so helpless......!

They're sick, demented, perverted, and sadistic individuals.

But they posted the pictures of my procedure as I requested on YouTube,
so there's some redeeming value of their horrific actions on me.

Be well. Wishing youse guys the best.....

John