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SALT LAKE CITY — A bowel obstruction happens when either your small or large intestine becomes partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluid or gastric acids from passing through, which causes severe pain, cramping and sometimes infections.
Such an obstruction constitutes a serious medical condition that can become a life-threatening emergency. In severe cases, the blood supply to the bowel can be cut off. If not treated immediately, this will lead to certain death.
Small bowel obstructions are usually caused by tumors or scar tissue, which the medical community calls adhesions. They can also be related to a kinked bowel or telescoping bowel. With a small bowel obstruction, the pain is severe and you will experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in small amounts.
Large bowel obstructions are usually caused by fecal material that cannot pass through — which could be related to constipation, diverticulitis or inflammatory disease. Large bowel obstructions are most commonly seen in elderly patients and narcotic drug abusers. With a large bowel obstruction, you usually have pain with no passing of fluids or stool. Many people have died from a large bowel obstruction before they even knew the cause of their pain.
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Symptoms of bowel obstructions include:
- Cramping and belly pain that comes and goes. The pain occurs around or below the belly button.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Bloating
- Constipation with a lack of gas, if the intestine is completely blocked.
- Diarrhea, if the intestine is partly blocked.
According to WebMD, most bowel obstructions are partial blockages that get better on their own. However, some people may need medical treatment, such as using liquids or air enemas.
Do not try to eat or drink until your symptoms subside. The more you stimulate the blocked bowel, the worse it becomes.
Surgery is usually needed when the intestine is completely blocked or when the blood supply is cut off.
"You may need a colostomy or an ileostomy after surgery," WebMD editors write. "The diseased part of the intestine is removed, and the remaining part is sewn to an opening in the skin. Stool passes out of the body through the opening and collects in a disposable colostomy bag."
It's important to note that if your blockage was caused by another health problem, such as diverticulitis, it may happen again. Be sure that you are treating the main problem as well.
While a bowel obstruction can happen to anyone, there are factors that increase a person's risk for developing one. The Mayo Clinic lists the following:
- Abdominal or pelvic surgery, which often causes adhesions
- Crohn's disease — an inflamatory condition that can cause the walls of the intestine to thicken
- Cancer within your abdomen
No attempts at self-diagnosing or self-treatment for a suspected bowel obstruction should be made. If you suspect you might have a bowel obstruction, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.
Suzanne Carlile, "Nurse Suzy," has been a nurse since 1982. Her main focus is critical care and nursing education. She holds a master's degree in nursing, is a Certified Emergency Nurse, and a member of NNSDO Intermountain West Chapter.
