What is intestinal obstruction?

Digested food particles must travel through 25 feet of

intestines or more before new wastes enter your body. These
wastes are constantly in motion. However intestinal obstruction
can put a stop to this. An intestinal obstruction occurs when
your small or large intestine is blocked. The blockage, partial or
total, prevents the passage of fluid or digested food.
If intestinal obstruction happens, food, fluids, gastric acids, and
gas build up behind the site of the blockage. If enough pressure
builds up, the intestine can rupture. This causes a leak of
harmful stomach contents into your abdominal cavity.
There are many potential causes of intestinal obstruction. In
many cases, this condition cant be prevented. Early diagnosis
and treatment are crucial. An untreated intestinal obstruction
can be fatal

Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of
the bowel. The contents of the intestine cannot pass
through it.

Causes of intestinal obstruction

Intestinal obstructions are either the result of something
blocking part of the intestine (mechanical obstruction) or a
failure of the intestine to work properly (paralytic ileus).
Theres a variety of causes of intestinal obstruction:
a strangulated hernia, which happens when part of
your small intestine protrudes through your
abdominal wall

 an inflammatory disease, like Crohns disease, in

which swelling and scar tissue causes a narrowing of
your intestine
adhesions, or scar tissue, from a previous abdominal
surgery
colon cancer in which the tumor blocks the intestine
severe constipation from Parkinsons disease, which
leads to impacted bowel
gallstones, which can press against your intestine
and block the flow of its contents
volvulus, which is a twist or knot in your intestine
intussusception, which occurs when one section of
your intestine collapses into another
ingesting foreign objects, which is rare
paralytic ileus, which is a condition that often
happens after abdominal surgery in which your
intestine temporarily ceases contracting and moving
its contents along
According to the Merck Manual, 10 to 20 percent of small
bowel obstructions are due to intestinal strangulation. This
can cause gangrene to quickly develop in the colon.

Symptoms of intestinal
obstruction

Intestinal obstruction causes a wide range of

uncomfortable symptoms, including:

severe bloating
abdominal pain
decreased appetite
nausea
vomiting
constipation
diarrhea
severe abdominal cramps
abdominal swelling
Abdominal fullness, gas
Breath odor

Some of the symptoms may depend on the location of the

obstruction. For example, vomiting is an early sign of
small intestine obstruction. This tends to happen after a
longer amount of time if you have an obstruction in the
large intestine. A partial obstruction can result in diarrhea,
while a complete obstruction results in constipation.
Intestinal obstruction may also cause a high fever if a
portion of the intestinal wall has ruptured.

Exams and Tests

During a physical exam, the health care provider may find
bloating, tenderness, or hernias in the abdomen.
Tests that show obstruction include:
Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal x-ray
Barium enema

 Upper GI and small bowel series

When to see a doctor

An intestinal obstruction is always considered a
medical emergency even if isnt hasnt erupted.
Seek emergency medical care if you have symptoms
of an intestinal obstruction, especially if you have
recently undergone abdominal surgery. If you
experience abdominal bloating, severe constipation,
and a loss of appetite, seek immediate medical
attention.

Diagnosis of intestinal obstruction

First, your doctor will ask you your medical history and
perform a physical exam. They might be able to detect the
obstruction by listening to your abdominal area with a
stethoscope. Your doctor may also notice that your
abdomen is extremely swollen or that theres a lump in
the area.
Your doctor will use CT scans and X-rays of your abdomen
to locate the site of your obstruction and to determine its
cause. If the obstruction is in your large intestine, your
doctor may perform a colonoscopy (a flexible, lighted
viewing tube) to look at your intestine. X-rays may be
taken after youve been given an enema that uses barium
or a dye called Hypaque to provide contrast. This helps to
provide a clear image of your colon

Treating intestinal obstruction

An intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency that
requires prompt medical treatment. Dont attempt to treat
the problem at home. The appropriate treatment depends
on the type of intestinal obstruction.
Initially, a flexible tube may be passed through your nose
or mouth to remove fluid and gas. This will relieve your
abdominal swelling.
Most intestinal obstructions require surgery. You will be
given fluids intravenously for as many as six to eight
hours. Intravenous (IV) fluids relieve dehydration by
restoring your electrolyte levels and help prevent shock
during surgery. This therapy is typically given in a hospital
or other certified healthcare facility.
If the tissue in the affected part of your intestine has died,
your surgeon will perform a resection to remove the dead
tissue and join the two healthy ends of the intestine.
Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into
the stomach or intestine. This is to help relieve abdominal
swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large
bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum.
Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the
tube does not relieve the symptoms. It may also be
needed if there are signs of tissue death.
While prescription medications cannot treat the
obstruction itself, they can help reduce your nausea until
further interventions are performed. Examples of
medications your doctor may prescribe include:

antibiotics to reduce infection

anti-emetics to keep you from vomiting

pain relievers
You should not ignore the symptoms of an intestinal
obstruction or attempt to treat an intestinal obstruction at
home

Outlook (Prognosis)
The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most
of the time, the cause is successfully treated.

Possible Complications
Complications may include or may lead to:
Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
Dehydration
Hole (perforation) in the intestine
Infection
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine,
it may cause infection and tissue death (gangrene). Risks
for tissue death are related to the cause of the blockage
and how long it has been present. Hernias, volvulus, and
intussusception carry a higher gangrene risk.
In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall
(necrotizing enterocolitis) is a life-threatening condition. It
may lead to blood and lung infections.
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your provider if you:

 Cannot pass stool or gas

Have a swollen abdomen (distention) that does not
go away
Keep vomiting
Prevention
Prevention depends on the cause. Treating conditions,
such as tumors and hernias that can lead to a blockage,
may reduce your risk.
Some causes of obstruction cannot be prevented