What is Pyloric Stenosis?
When this condition occurs in adults, it is nearly always due to a peptic ulcer that is usually in the duodenum close to the pyloric valve separating it from the stomach. However, if dyspeptic symptoms have been present for less than a year, a cancer must be suspected.
This condition is now seen much less frequently, for most patients seek treatment at an earlier stage of their abdominal disabilities than in former years. If an ulcer is present, narrowing of the canal (so producing an obstruction to the normal flow of material through it) takes place. Swelling of tissues, together with scarring from attempts at natural healing, collectively produce the symptoms.
Pyloric Stenosis Symptoms
The cardinal symptom is vomiting large amounts of fluid, which is always free from the greenish bile colouration (as compared to vomiting from areas below the pyloric valve in which bile is always present). Often there is fetid, gaseous material contained in the vomit. It may be offensive, due to the partial bacterial contamination during its stay in the stomach. Typically, the vomiting occurs toward the end of the day, and it may contain residue of food eaten the previous day.
Pain may be present, which is usually cased after vomiting. Similarly the sensation of dyspepsia, fullness and distension will disappear. With the reduced nutritional intake, weight loss is inevitable. Lack of appetite is common. About 2 to 5 per cent of patients suffer from diarrhoea; some have constipation. There is often weakness and lethargy due to dehydration. The history, endoscopic and X-ray examinations usually clinch the diagnosis.
Pyloric Stenosis Treatment
This of course must he under adequate medical supervision. Any symptom of this nature essentially requires expert supervision, not only to form the correct diagnosis, but to manage subsequent treatment. Apart from the immediate measures of rectifying fluid and chemical imbalances, the treatment is usually a surgical cure of the narrowed canal.