Bowel prolapse

A characteristic anatomical and physiological anomaly of the abdominal cavity is intestinal prolapse, in which intestinal loops (the total length of which is almost four meters) are displaced below the place where they are supposed to be.

Problems of disruption of the normal anatomical position of certain internal organs in most clinical cases are associated with their prolapse, which in medicine is called ptosis.

This pathology entails such negative health consequences as local circulatory disorders, muscle spasms and limitations of the full functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Causes of intestinal prolapse

Prolapse of the internal organs of the abdominal cavity, including prolapse of the intestine, occurs for several reasons. Genetic causes, primarily prenatal abnormalities in organ development, play an important role in the occurrence of this pathology.

Intestinal prolapse can be caused by factors determined by individual features of a person's physique. These include decreased tone of the abdominal muscles and weakness of the connective tissues that fix the intestines (particularly in tall people of the asthenic type); a low-lying diaphragm (the muscular partition between the thoracic and abdominal cavities); a decrease in the forward-facing curve (lordosis) of the lumbar spine, etc.

Intestinal prolapse can also be acquired. It can happen to people who do heavy physical labor or experience significant muscle strain and overstretching during sports (for example, weightlifters). Often, this problem is faced by those who were overweight and quickly lost extra pounds. Removal of transudate from the abdominal cavity in case of abdominal dropsy (ascites), surgical excision of large tumors or cysts, as well as repeated or multiple births can also cause downward displacement of the intestine.

Very often, the cause of intestinal prolapse is associated with prolapse of the stomach (gastroptosis), in which normal digestion and movement of food masses into the intestine is disrupted, and this leads to additional mechanical pressure on the small intestine. In this case, simultaneous prolapse of the stomach and intestine is diagnosed.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Symptoms of intestinal prolapse

Symptoms of intestinal prolapse (splanchnoptosis, enteroptosis, colonoptosis) are expressed as periodically occurring dull pain in the abdomen - aching or pulling in nature. The most common localization of pain is in the right iliac region, in the lower abdomen, in the lower back and groin.

Patients also complain of discomfort in the abdominal cavity, which is noted in a standing position and passes with a horizontal position of the body. All this is often accompanied by headaches, rapid fatigue and bouts of nausea. In addition, prolapse of the small intestine and prolapse of the large intestine causes excessive accumulation of gases in the intestine (flatulence) and chronic constipation.

Signs of colon prolapse in men include more frequent urination, and in women - painful menstruation.

Diagnosis of intestinal prolapse

To determine the causes of the pathology, a comprehensive examination is carried out, in which - in addition to the patient's complaints, anamnesis, examination and palpation of the abdominal cavity - modern methods for diagnosing intestinal prolapse are used, including:

• general overview radiography of the abdominal organs (performed with the patient in a horizontal and then vertical position);
• irrigoscopy (X-ray examination of the colon with filling it with a radiopaque substance);
• ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity (ultrasound);
• computed tomography (CT) scan.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ], [ 15 ]

Treatment of intestinal prolapse

Treatment of intestinal prolapse is carried out conservatively using diet therapy, therapeutic exercise, massage and a bandage that supports the intestines.

As clinical practice shows, surgical intervention in the treatment of this pathology is resorted to in two cases. Firstly, when all attempts to improve the patient's condition by conservative methods have been unsuccessful, and the symptoms of the disease become more and more intense.

Secondly, when prolapse of the intestine causes complications in the form of circulatory disorders in all abdominal organs, as well as partial or complete intestinal obstruction. It is these cases that bring patients to the operating table. Although, according to doctors, an operation to fix sections of the intestine does not guarantee the absence of relapses. Without constant work by patients to maintain the intestine in a position as close to normal as possible, it is almost impossible to achieve lasting positive results.

Bandage for bowel prolapse

Those who wear a bandage for prolapse of the intestines (and other internal organs located in the abdominal cavity) feel much better. Its principle of action is compression. That is, artificially created external pressure on the abdominal wall helps to keep the intestines in an anatomically correct position.

A bandage for bowel prolapse is selected by a doctor - depending on the individual characteristics of each patient's constitution and the clinical picture of the disease. The bandage should be put on in the morning - without getting out of bed, lying on your back with your pelvic area slightly raised. It is also removed lying down - before going to bed.

However, as many experts claim, after wearing a bandage and a fairly long period of improvement in the condition, an increase in the main symptoms of intestinal prolapse cannot be ruled out.

[ 16 ], [ 17 ], [ 18 ], [ 19 ]

Exercises for bowel prolapse

It is possible to strengthen the abdominal muscles. And here physical exercises for bowel prolapse come to the rescue, which are designed to increase the tone of the anterior and lateral muscles of the peritoneum - transverse, internal oblique, external oblique and straight, as well as the posterior muscles - square lumbar and iliopsoas. In addition, it is necessary to strengthen the diaphragm and striated muscles of the pelvic floor.

At the beginning of the classes (for two to three weeks), all exercises are performed lying on your back - on an inclined plane with your legs raised.

[ 20 ], [ 21 ]

Gymnastics for prolapse of the intestine

We start with exercises in a supine position, each exercise is repeated 5-6 times.

• Place a book on your stomach (between your ribs and navel), stretch your arms along your body, and keep your legs straight. Breathing with the diaphragm: inhale slowly, raising the diaphragm (the book should rise), exhale longer than inhale - drawing in your stomach;
• arms extended along the body, legs straight. Alternate raising and lowering of legs;
• arms along the body, legs straight. As you exhale, lift both legs off the floor, holding them in this position for 5 seconds. As you slowly exhale, smoothly lower your legs to their original position;
• all the actions of the previous exercise are repeated, but after raising the legs, “scissor” movements are performed with both legs - alternately up and down and to the sides;
• arms along the body, legs bent at the knees. Leaning on the feet, elbows and the back of the head, slowly raise the pelvis. Just as slowly return to the starting position;
• arms along the body, legs straight. As you inhale, bend your right leg at the knee, as you exhale, pull it to your stomach with your hands. Do the same with the other leg;
• arms along the body, legs straight, as you exhale, bend both legs at the knees and press them with both hands to the stomach, then return to the starting position;
• Leg movements are performed that imitate riding a bicycle.

Exercises for bowel prolapse in a standing position:

• Walking in place with high hip lifts (for one minute).
• legs together, arms down; on inhalation, straight arms are raised up while simultaneously moving the leg back (left and right alternately), touching the floor with the toe of the foot. On exhalation, the initial position is assumed.
• legs together, arms down along the body; on inhalation, straight arms are raised to the sides while simultaneously moving the leg to the side, touching the floor with the toe of the foot. On exhalation, the starting position is taken. Repeat with each leg - 5 times.
• stand with your back to the wall (at a distance of 35 cm), feet shoulder-width apart, arms bent at the elbows; perform upper body turns, touching the wall with your palms and holding in this position for 10 seconds, then turn the body in the opposite direction.

Gymnastics for bowel prolapse is done daily (two hours after eating) for 10-15 minutes, after which it is recommended to lie down for a quarter of an hour on an inclined plane with your legs raised.

Treatment of intestinal prolapse with folk remedies

If partial strengthening of weakened muscles supporting the intestines is achieved with the help of proper physical exercises, then treatment of intestinal prolapse with folk remedies is carried out exclusively to combat constipation and flatulence.

For this purpose, infusions and decoctions of various medicinal plants are taken. Here are some of the most effective herbal remedies to stimulate the process of clearing the large intestine of waste products.

Since ancient times, the fruits of the buckthorn laxative and the leaves of senna (cassia angustifolia) have been used for constipation. To prepare a decoction of buckthorn, one tablespoon of the fruits should be poured with a glass of water, brought to a boil and boiled for five minutes. Then close the container tightly and let the decoction brew for one and a half to two hours. After straining, take half a glass of the decoction before bed. And senna is used in the form of a water infusion: brew a tablespoon of the dry plant with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for a couple of hours and strain. Drink in small sips before bed.

A noticeable laxative effect appears after 2-3 days. But it should be borne in mind that both buckthorn and senna are not recommended for use by women during lactation and those who have any inflammation or acute intestinal diseases.

Buckthorn bark (brittle or alder) is also a proven remedy for constipation. Its recipe is simple: pour 250 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of crushed bark and cook until half of the liquid evaporates. Cool, strain and add boiled water to a volume of 200 ml. Take half a glass - in the morning and before bed.

An infusion of caraway seeds is very helpful for chronic constipation and flatulence. To prepare it, brew one tablespoon of the seeds of this spicy plant with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for at least two hours. Drink the infusion sip by sip several times throughout the day. The seeds of common dill and fennel are used in the same way.

Prevention of intestinal prolapse

A person cannot change their somatotype or “correct” anthropometric indicators: this is genetically determined in everyone. So all measures to prevent prolapse of the intestine caused by constitutional features come down to a healthy lifestyle – with proper nutrition and feasible regular physical activity.

As for the prevention of acquired prolapse of the intestine, experts advise not to lift heavy objects, watch your weight and not try to lose weight “in a short time”. Swimming, cycling and walking are very useful. During pregnancy, women should wear a special prenatal bandage, and after the birth of the child – a postnatal bandage.

Prognosis of intestinal prolapse

Intestinal prolapse is a serious problem. If left untreated, negative consequences will not be long in coming. The prognosis for intestinal prolapse for men is that pressure on the bladder and prostate can cause urinary incontinence, prostatitis or prostate adenoma. For women, the pressure of the prolapsed intestine on the uterus, ovaries and bladder is fraught with infertility, menstrual irregularities and various inflammatory diseases of the pelvic organs. For both, intestinal prolapse creates conditions for inflammation of various organs of the digestive system and also provokes the development of life-threatening intestinal obstruction.

[ 22 ], [ 23 ], [ 24 ], [ 25 ]