Bowel Obstruction

Normally, the food waste passes through the bowel to the outside of the body, but in the case of bowel obstruction, a blockage in the bowel prevents this process.

Bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction occurs either in the small intestine or in the large intestine, and it could be partial or complete.

Most of the bowel obstruction cases occur in the small intestine, which connects the stomach to the large intestine.

Causes of bowel obstruction

• The most common causes of intestinal obstruction in adults are abdominal adhesions (fibrous tissue in the abdominal cavity that results from pelvic or abdominal surgery), hernias, and colon cancer. While in children, the most common cause of bowel obstruction is intussusception (intestinal telescoping).
• Other causes include inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, volvulus (colon twisting), radiation therapy, and eating a foreign object.

Symptoms of bowel obstruction

• Belly cramps that come and go in episodes.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Lack of appetite.
• Abdominal pain and swelling.
• Weakness.
• Fast heartbeat.
• Children with intestinal occlusion might have fever, blood in the stool, and greenish vomit.
• If bowel obstruction isn’t managed, it could lead to tissue death, perforation (intestinal tear), and peritonitis.

Diagnosis of bowel obstruction

• Medical history.
• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of bowel obstruction

• Treating bowel obstruction requires hospitalization, and it differs depending on whether it’s a partial or complete obstruction.