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Intestinal Obstruction
A gastrointestinal condition in which digested material is prevented from passing normally through the bowel.
Intestinal obstruction is a blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through your small intestine or large intestine (colon).
The most common causes of intestinal obstruction in adults are:
Intestinal adhesions — bands of fibrous tissue in the abdominal cavity that can form after abdominal or pelvic surgery
Hernias — portions of intestine that protrude into another part of your body
Colon cancer
In children, the most common cause of intestinal obstruction is telescoping of the intestine (intussusception).
Other possible causes of intestinal obstruction include:
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease
Diverticulitis — a condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected
Twisting of the colon (volvulus)
Abdominal Tuberculosis
Impacted feces
Without treatment, the blocked parts of the intestine can turn gangrenous leading to serious problems. However, with prompt medical care, intestinal obstruction often can be successfully treated.
Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
- Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Inability to pass flatus or stools
- Abdominal Distension
Treatment includes avoiding solid foods, using pain and nausea medication and close monitoring of all the vitals including urine. A Ryle’s tube can be inserted to help decompress the stomach and relieve abdominal pressure. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, surgery may be required.
There are two types of small bowel obstruction:
Functional — there is no physical blockage, however, the bowels are not moving food through the digestive tract.
Mechanical — there is a blockage preventing the movement of food.
When to see a doctor
Because of the serious complications that can develop from intestinal obstruction, seek immediate medical care if you have severe abdominal pain or other symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
