When you are better, the ends of the intestine are reattached and the ostomy is repaired. If your blockage was caused by another health problem, such as diverticulitis, the blockage may come back if you don't treat that health problem.
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Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Bowel Obstruction. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is a bowel obstruction? What causes a bowel obstruction? What are the symptoms? Symptoms include: Cramping and belly pain that comes and goes. The pain can occur around or below the belly button. Bloating and a large, hard belly. Constipation and a lack of gas, if the intestine is completely blocked. Diarrhea, if the intestine is partly blocked. Growths may be cancer or harmless benign.
Either way, they can block your intestine completely or partially. Foreign objects. Nonfood objects that you swallow on purpose or accidentally may cause partial or complete intestinal obstruction. Meckel diverticulum. About 2 in people are born with this additional small pouch inside the intestine. Abdominal surgery. This can increase the risk for scar tissue or other growths. They also increase the risk for hernias. This condition means that something irritates the lining of the intestine.
It may cause inflammation, infection, and scarring, which can lead to blockage. To diagnose your condition, your healthcare provider will consider your overall health and health history. He or she will ask you about your symptoms. Tell your provider where your pain is and how strong it is. Also tell your provider if you have had changes in your bowel movements or appetite.
Tell your provider if you have any other unusual symptoms, such as digestive sounds or a feeling of being bloated.
The treatment your healthcare provider recommends will depend on what is causing the blockage. For a simple blockage you may need to have only fluids and no solids to eat. Your provider will work to fix any metabolic problems. You may have an intestinal decompression.
This is usually done with a nasogastric tube. You may also have bowel rest. You will need surgery right away if your intestinal obstruction is more complicated. We also take a look at how doctors can treat this condition and what people can do to prevent it from occurring. Symptoms of a bowel obstruction can include bloating, cramping, nausea, and a swollen belly.
Vomiting and diarrhea are early signs of bowel obstruction. Recognizing these symptoms means that a person can seek treatment before the condition progresses. If a fever develops after some of these symptoms, speak to a doctor. It can be a sign of a split in the bowel. There are many possible causes of bowel obstruction.
The different causes are either mechanical or non-mechanical. Mechanical obstructions are physical barriers that prevent or restrict the flow of matter through the bowels. These include:. Some refer to non-mechanical obstructions as ileus , or paralytic ileus.
These occur when something disrupts the working of the entire digestive system. The large and small bowels move in coordinated contractions. If something interrupts this process, a non-mechanical obstruction can occur. If a doctor is able to detect and treat the cause, the bowel obstruction is usually a short-term issue. Some conditions and events increase the risk of a bowel obstruction occurring. Bowel obstruction can have serious consequences. A person should seek medical advice if any of the symptoms listed above occur.
It is especially important to see a doctor if any of these symptoms occur after surgery. A doctor may recommend blood tests to check liver and kidney function. Diagnosis tends to begin with a physical examination.
An obstruction can cause a hard lump in the abdomen, which a doctor may be able to feel. A lack of regular bowel sounds, or the sounds being unusually quiet, can suggest a bowel obstruction.
Doctors may use administer a substance called contrast via an enema. Contrast allows doctors to view the bowels more clearly when carrying out imaging tests. A total mechanical obstruction usually requires surgery.
Most cases of bowel obstruction need some form of medical intervention. Exercise can help boost digestive health. Simple changes to diet and lifestyle can help lower the risk of bowel obstructions. They will also help with recovery after an episode of obstruction.
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