Bowel Obstruction

It can occur to anyone regardless of age, when a person's small or large intestine is blocked- either partly or completely, making stool difficult to pass. This condition affects the normal motility of fluids, food, and gas through the intestines, thus causing severe pain that keeps coming back.

An obstruction can be deadly if not treated at once - surgically or otherwise. It is essential to watch for the early signs, symptoms, and care must be given to a patient who has it, or had an obstruction removed through surgery.

Causes of Bowel Obstruction

A. Diverculitis

Scars resulted from infection may lead blockage of the large intestine - either partial or total. The normal motility in the colon is wholly affected.

B. Crohn's Disease

Intestinal blockage is the most common complication and it occurs due to thickened intestinal walls accompanied with adhesions and swelling, narrowing the passage.

C. Mechanical obstruction - accumulated digestive secretions, gas, and ingested foods and liquids are above the obstruction resulting to an enlarged proximal bowel and collapsed distal bowel. Regular bowel activity is decreased; the bowel wall becomes congested and swollen.

Impaired blood flow in the intestines causes death of tissue, thus leads to sepsis, electrolyte abnormalities, dehydration, and bacterial infection.

• Narrowing or twisting of the intestines (volvulus)
• Scar tissue (adhesions)
• Tumor in the intestine
• Hernia
• Gallstones
• Ingested foreign object

Other factors include cancer, intussusceptions (intestinal folding into another part), and large intestine cancer. Narrowing and twisting of the intestine (resulting from inflammatory bowel disease), and severe constipation can cause bowel obstruction.

D. Non-mechanical obstruction

• Symptoms:
• Recurring pain stomach pain and cramping
• Bloating (distention)
• Vomiting
• Bad Breath
• Diarrhea in a partially blocked intestine
• Lack of gas and constipation in a completely blocked intestine

In treating a bowel obstruction, medical attention is required. This means going to the hospital for a complete diagnosis by the physician. Decompressing the intestine is also necessary, in some cases. One helpful method to relieve vomiting and distention (bloating) is the nasogastric (NG) tube being inserted into the stomach.
Surgery is required if in case the NG tube insertion doesn't prove to be helpful; it is also done to remove dead tissues in the intestine. Death of the bowel tissue could lead to serious complications such as infection, or gangrene. A hole in the intestine due to bowel obstruction also requires surgery.

Diagnosing bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction can be diagnosed through physical examination, followed by series of diagnostic test.

• X-ray or abdominal radiograph
• Abdominal CT scan
• Upper GI with small bowel series - a test similar to barium enema used to help locate the obstruction.
• Barium enema

Preventing Bowel Obstruction

For partial bowel obstructions, home treatments are given for (temporary) relief. To avoid complete obstruction, a liquid diet is usually recommended by doctors. One should exercise caution in preventing bowel obstruction, and watch out for possible signs of complete blockage.

Bowel Strangulation

Includes recurring abdominal pain. Complete blockage tends to cut off the blood supply in the bowel, so severe pain is experienced. Seek medical help at once.

• Difficulty passing stools or gas
• Bloating

It is also advised to be alert to signs of infection after having an obstruction removed through surgery:

• Fever
• Liquid oozing from the wound
• The wound area feels hot and appears red

It is difficult to prevent bowel obstruction, in many cases. To prevent dverculitis and constipation, water and fiber-rich foods can help. Laxatives should be taken in moderation. If a person has a colostomy from a surgery, medical advice should be sought regarding general care and diet maintenance for the patient.