About this topic
A perforation is another name for a hole. Your GI tract is also called your gastrointestinal tract. This tract includes your stomach, food pipe or esophagus, and bowels. When you have a hole in your GI tract, the food, digestive juices, and intestinal content can leak out. These fluids can be very irritating and have bacteria in them. If this condition is not treated, you will develop a very bad infection. This is a serious problem that can even cause death. ‚
What are the causes?
Many things can cause a hole in your GI tract. Some of them are: ‚
- Swallowing a foreign object
- Drugs
- Procedures like colonoscopy or a surgery
- Diseases like Crohns, ulcerative colitis, infections, Hirschsprung's, ulcers, appendicitis
- Injuries from car accidents or other causes
What are the main signs?
- Sudden, very bad pain that may move to the shoulder
- Stomach is swollen, firm, and hurts when you touch it
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Fever and chills
- Sweating
- Blood in your stool
- Fast heart rate
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription, over the counter, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor if you have any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are: Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
Your doctor will do a physical exam and may order: ‚
- Lab tests
- X-rays
- CT scan
- Endoscopy ¢ ˆ ’ A camera placed down your throat or up your rectum to look for holes in your GI tract
- A small tube to be placed through the nose into the stomach to drain out air and bile
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
You will likely need to stop eating and take antibiotics through an I.V. ‚
To diagnose or treat a hole in the GI tract, you may need to have surgery. This also gives your doctor a chance to clean out anything that has spilled out of your GI tract and could cause swelling or infection. Your care will be based on where the hole is in your GI tract. Your doctor may need to take out a small piece of your bowel. You may also need to have an ostomy. This is an opening from the bowel to the outside of the body to let you get rid of your bodys waste products. The ostomy may be needed for a short time to help your bowel to heal or may be needed for a long time. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Lower fever
What problems could happen?
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Follow your doctors orders if you have a condition like Crohn's, colitis, Hirschsprung's, or ulcers. ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚