Sigmoid volvulus is a common condition that causes intestinal obstruction by twisting the sigmoid colon. It is more common in older people, those with chronic conditions, and in some ethnic groups. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. Treatment involves clearing the obstruction and trimming the sigmoid colon. If left untreated, it can be fatal.
Sigmoid volvulus is a condition that affects a person’s intestines and causes intestinal obstruction. When someone has this condition, the end part of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon, twists abnormally and causes a blockage. There are other types of volvulus, but this type is considered the most common.
This condition tends to be more common among older people and those who have chronic conditions. It can also appear more frequently in nursing homes and psychiatric institutions, but it’s not limited to people who fall into this demographic. Sigmoid volvulus can be seen in children, usually those under 10, as well as men and women of all ages. It is more common in males than females. Patients with sigmoid volvulus usually suffer from chronic constipation, which can cause abnormal lengthening of the sigmoid colon.
Sometimes the type of chronic constipation that leads to sigmoid volvulus can be caused by antipsychotic drugs prescribed to people with mental illness. In countries where people are commonly infested with worms in the digestive tract, the condition is thought to affect people, at least in part, due to the high weight of worms in the intestines. Some ethnic groups tend to be more likely to develop sigmoid volvulus than others. For example, native Africans and Asians are more likely to have this condition, as are people from South America. In these countries, most people consume diets that are very high in fiber and these high fiber diets contribute to the development of longer sigmoid colons.
Symptoms of sigmoid volvulus include abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. However, this constipation is not the typical type that leaves the patient with difficulty producing a bowel movement. Instead, it typically leaves the patient unable to have a bowel movement. Some people may also feel nauseous; when vomiting occurs, it typically occurs in the latter stages of the condition. Additionally, fever may develop, especially if the intestine has been perforated as a result of the condition.
Unfortunately, sigmoid volvulus can be fatal if left untreated or caught too late. Gangrene, a condition characterized by tissue death, can arise if the condition is not treated promptly. Treatment may include using special medical equipment to pass through the area where the sigmoid colon and rectum meet, clearing the obstruction and leading to the loosening of the intestines. In other cases, doctors may clear the obstruction and then trim away the excessive size of the sigmoid colon.
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