Volvulus
Abnormal twisting of a portion of the gastrointestinal tract, usually the intestine, which can impair blood flow. Volvulus can lead to gangrene and death of the involved segment of the
gastrointestinal tract, intestinal obstruction, perforation of the intestine, and peritonitis. The stomach, small intestine, cecum, and sigmoid colon are all subject to volvulus. Malrotation of the bowel during fetal development can predispose one to a volvulus, which often has a sudden onset. The symptoms and signs of a volvulus may include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and blood in the stool. The treatment is surgery to free the obstruction and ensure normal blood flow to the bowel. Volvulus is a surgical emergency.
Read Also:
- Vomer
A triangular bone in the nasal septum. The bone was so named because it was thought to look like a ploughshare, the part of the plow that cuts the furrow. Vomer is the Latin word for ploughshare.
- Vomit
Matter from the stomach that has come up into and may be ejected beyond the mouth, due to the act of vomiting. When vomit is reddish or the color of coffee grounds, it may mean there is serious internal bleeding. The reddish color may herald fresh blood and dark blood may betoken blood that has […]
- Vomiting in pregnancy, excess
Medically known as hyperemesis gravidarum, this is excessive vomiting in early pregnancy. By definition, hyperemesis gravidarum, leads to the loss of 5% or more of the body weight of the woman. Hyperemesis gravidarum affects about one in every 300 pregnant women. It is more common in young women, in first pregnancies and in women with […]
- Vomiting of pregnancy, pernicious
Medically known as hyperemesis gravidarum, this is excessive vomiting in early pregnancy. By definition, hyperemesis gravidarum, leads to the loss of 5% or more of the body weight of the woman. Hyperemesis gravidarum affects about one in every 300 pregnant women. It is more common in young women, in first pregnancies and in women with […]
- Vomitus
Matter from the stomach that has come up into and may be ejected beyond the mouth, due to the act of vomiting. When vomitus is reddish or the color of coffee grounds, it may mean there is serious internal bleeding. The reddish color may herald fresh blood and dark blood may betoken blood that has […]