Bowel Obstruction

What is a bowel obstruction?

A bowel obstruction happens when either your Reference small Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window or Reference large intestine Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way. The blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes.

This topic covers a blockage caused by tumors, scar tissue, or twisting or narrowing of the intestines. It does not cover Reference ileus Opens New Window, which most commonly happens after surgery on the belly (abdominal surgery).

What causes a bowel obstruction?

Tumors, scar tissue (Reference adhesions Opens New Window), or twisting or narrowing of the intestines can cause a bowel obstruction. These are called Reference mechanical obstructions Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.

In the small intestine, scar tissue is most often the cause. Other causes include Reference hernias Opens New Window and Reference Crohn's disease Opens New Window, which can twist or narrow the intestine, and tumors, which can block the intestine. A blockage also can happen if one part of the Reference intestine folds like a telescope Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window into another part, which is called Reference intussusception Opens New Window.

In the large intestine, cancer is most often the cause. Other causes are severe constipation from a hard mass of stool, and narrowing of the intestine caused by Reference diverticulitis Opens New Window or Reference inflammatory bowel disease Opens New Window.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms include:

• Cramping and belly pain that comes and goes. The pain can occur around or below the belly button.
• Vomiting.
• Bloating.
• Constipation and a lack of gas, if the intestine is completely blocked.
• Diarrhea, if the intestine is partly blocked.

Call your doctor right away if your belly pain is severe and constant. This may mean that your intestine's blood supply has been cut off or that you have a hole in your intestine. This is an emergency.

How is a bowel obstruction diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms and other digestive problems you've had. He or she will check your belly for tenderness and bloating.

Your doctor may do:

• An abdominal Reference X-ray Opens New Window, which can find blockages in the small and large intestines.
• A Reference CT scan Opens New Window of the belly, which helps your doctor see whether the blockage is partial or complete.

How is it treated?

Most bowel obstructions are treated in the hospital.

In the hospital, your doctor will give you medicine and fluids through a vein (Reference IV Opens New Window). To help you stay comfortable, your doctor may place a tiny tube called a Reference nasogastric (NG) tube Opens New Window through your nose and down into your stomach. The tube removes fluids and gas and helps relieve pain and pressure. You will not be given anything to eat or drink.

Most bowel obstructions are partial blockages that get better on their own. Some people may need more treatment. These treatments include using liquids or air (Reference enemas Opens New Window) or small mesh tubes (Reference stents Opens New Window) to open up the blockage.

Surgery is almost always needed when the intestine is completely blocked or when the blood supply is cut off. You may need a Reference colostomy Opens New Window or an Reference ileostomy Opens New Window after surgery. 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 Reference colostomy bag Opens New Window.

If your blockage was caused by another health problem, such as diverticulitis, the blockage may come back if you don't treat that health problem.

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