Volvulus Information

By Author: Rob Thomas
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Volvulus is a disease that affects the bowel in which the bowel winds itself, resulting in a disruption in the passing of material via the bowel. This disease can result in unusual blood supply to the intestine resulting in dead tissues within the bowel. There is also a minor form of this disease called intermittent volvulus where the bowel winds and then untwists itself.

Investigations have discovered that Volvulus is regularly caused by a birth defect called malrotation. This is where the bowel becomes twisted in the course of the development of the fetus. The bowels do not have a normal connection to the abdominal wall, which can cause the bowels to displace their normal position or rotate. This situation commonly happens early in life, most likely during the first year.

Often the signs are so severe that the infant has to be hurried to the emergency room. The most common indications are:

Vomiting green bile-looking matter
Abdominal pain and tenderness
Nausea
Bloody or dark red feaces
Constipation
Distended abdomen
Shock

There are different ways of detecting ...
... volvulus. The feaces can be examined for the presence of blood. An x-ray may be done to examine the upper gastrointestinal tract, which will definitely reveal if the disease exists. A CT scan may be utilized to verify if is a bowel complication. Blood tests are also used to test electrolytes for any abnormalities.

Surgery is often needed to fix a volvulus. A surgeon will make a slit in the abdominal wall and untwists the bowel to restore appropriate blood supply. If any part of the bowel becomes 'dead' (necrotic), it is removed and the ends sewn together. It is a life threatening condition if the complete bowel is dead.

Another problem affecting the intestines is the plague of parasites. There are various types of parasites that enter the human body. Let us look at some of them:

1. Pinworm
Pinworm is a very common roundworm infestation which affects infants more often than grown-ups. Humans are tainted if they consume food or water that is infested by the eggs. The indications are itching sometimes accompanied by vomiting. It is vital to sanitize utensils.

2. Whipworm
This form lives in the first section of the large intestine, the appendix and colon. Infection is caused by ingesting the eggs through the hand or consumption of infested food or water. Symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea, weight loss and anemia.

3. Hookworm
These worms enter human bodies via the skin. The most regular way this happens is when humans walk barefooted. The larvae travel through the blood stream to the intestines where they develop and attach to its wall. The main sign experienced is anemia.

4. Beef Tapeworm
These worms enter the body by eating infected beef that is undercooked. They attach to the walls of the large intestine and absorbs nutrients resulting in malnutrition.
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