Bowel Obstruction
How do you know if you have a bowel obstruction and should you be worried? Well, you may have noticed that things aren't right in your body in the last few days. You may be constipated and feel real sluggish and tired. You also noticed that not only are you constipated, but you haven't passed any gas either. You may be experiencing a bowel obstruction and this is a reason to worry.
A bowel obstruction is when there is something blocking everything from passing through the colon and becomes very uncomfortable, even painful. There are numerous causes of obstructions which can include tumors, scar tissue or twisting or narrowing of the intestines. They can also be caused by an infection or inflammation or maybe some side effects of medications.
If the obstruction is in the small intestine, it is usually caused by scar tissues which are adhesions on the wall. Another could be hernia, Crohn's disease and even cancer. Obstructions in the large intestine are most commonly caused by cancer. Constipation can be another cause and possibly narrowing or twisting of the intestine which occurs with inflammatory bowel disease. There could be a blockage occurring if the intestine folds like a telescope into another section.
If you have any symptoms such as cramping, abdominal pain, vomiting and/or bloating, you may have a bowel obstruction.
Some symptoms of the large bowel obstruction would include abdominal pain, which can be severe if the blood supply is cut off, bloating, diarrhea if it is a partial obstruction, and if there is a complete obstruction, there will be constipation without any gas.
There is a treatment for partial blockage that is done at the hospital. You would first be monitored closely while they wait to see if the blockage goes away on its own. You probably won't be allowed to eat or drink, but will have an IV to keep your blood pressure normal.
If you need further treatment, they will go the non-surgical route first which are liquid or air enemas, small tubes, or medicine to open up the blockage. If there is a complete obstruction, surgery will almost always be used.
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