Bowel Obstruction - Medtick

Bowel Obstruction

What is it?

When there is a blockage in a bowel, it prevents keeps food or liquid from passing through your small intestine or large intestine (colon).

  • This must be resolved as it could lead to a bowel tear.

Symptoms

  • Feel full quickly when eating, trapped wind and burping?
  • Change in bowel habits that are more than three weeks i.e. going to the toilet more often or less often than usual?
  • Pain and/or mass on the right hand side?
  • Long term persistent indigestion, frequent heartburn or constant abdominal pain?
  • Stomach lumps?
  • Blood in faeces?
  • Black/tarry stools?
  • Loss of appetite?
  • Find passing stools difficult and constipated?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:

  • Sepsis
  • Peritonitis
  • Dehydration
  • Liver disease (Jaundice)
  • Bilious vomiting (a yellow-green secretion arising from the liver or in some cases a clear or light brown granular matter)?
  • Severe abdominal pain?
  • Breathing difficulties?
  • Nausea and vomiting?
  • Severe swelling in abdominal area?
  • Reduced blood flow to the leg may cause pain and discoloration?
  • Duodenal atresia or stenosis (especially in new born)

This condition may show similar symptoms to:


If have stoma (after intestine surgery ) and is not active for more than 6 hours and you experience cramps or nausea, you may have an obstruction.

  • Avoid solid foods for the time being
  • Drinking plenty of fluids
  • Massage one’s tummy and the area around your stoma
  • Lying on your back, pulling your knees up to your chest and rolling from side to side for a few minutes
  • Taking a hot bath for 15 to 20 minutes to help relax the muscles in your tummy

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Bowel Obstruction in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).