American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [182]
Treatment
To treat Meckel’s diverticulum, doctors first stop any intestinal bleeding and treat the anemia. Once the bleeding has stopped and the anemia is reduced, the person undergoes surgery to remove the diverticulum and correct any problems such as intussusception. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent or treat complications such as peritonitis.
Intestinal Obstruction
Intestinal obstruction occurs when the small or large intestine is partially or completely blocked, preventing food and waste from passing through the intestines. The problem can result from a number of disorders of the digestive system.
Pyloric stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is a congenital disorder in which the muscular walls of the pylorus—the outlet from the stomach to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine)—thicken, which narrows the passageway inside and prevents food from moving from the stomach into the intestines. Pyloric stenosis usually occurs between 2 and 8 weeks after birth and is more common in boys than in girls. The disorder often runs in families. The most common symptoms are choking and vomiting after feeding.
The baby may be irritable and restless and may begin to lose weight. If not treated, pyloric stenosis can lead to dehydration, pneumonia caused by inhaled vomit, or malnutrition, or can be fatal. To treat the disorder, surgery is performed to widen the pylorus to allow food to pass through.
Intestinal atresia
In intestinal atresia, an infant is born with one or more parts of the small intestine missing or shriveled into a useless cord. The main symptom of intestinal atresia is intermittent vomiting of bile (a digestive fluid produced by the liver) beginning within a few hours of birth. The baby has no bowel movements, and his or her abdomen swells as gas builds up in the intestines. To treat intestinal atresia, surgery is performed to join the healthy sections of intestine.
Intestinal atresia
In intestinal atresia, one or more parts of the small intestine are malformed or absent. In some cases, the upper part of the small intestine (duodenum) and the middle or lower part of the small intestine (jejunum or ileum) may be affected.
Volvulus
In volvulus, a loop of intestine becomes twisted, blocking the movement of food and waste. Volvulus may be congenital (present from birth), or it may result from adhesions (scar tissue) that form from chronic inflammation inside the abdomen or as a result of previous surgery. The symptoms of volvulus include severe, intermittent abdominal pain, usually followed by vomiting. Surgery is performed to untwist the affected loop of intestine and prevent strangulation.
Intestinal stenosis
In intestinal stenosis, the upper intestine, such as the duodenum, is significantly narrowed. To treat this condition, surgery to widen or remove the affected part of the intestine is performed immediately.
Intestinal stenosis
In intestinal stenosis, part of the upper intestine is narrowed almost to the point of closing. The main symptom of intestinal stenosis is intermittent vomiting of bile (a digestive fluid produced by the liver), beginning within a few hours of birth. The baby has no bowel movements, and his or her abdomen swells as gas builds up in the intestines. To treat intestinal stenosis, surgery is performed to widen the narrowed segment of intestine or to remove it and connect the healthy segments.
Intussusception
In intussusception, a segment of the intestine telescopes in on itself, partially or completely blocking the passage of food and waste. Initially, the child may be irritable and lethargic. He or she will experience sudden abdominal pain and vomiting and may have diarrhea, a fever, and blood or mucus in the stool. A doctor may treat this