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All About

Bowel Obstruction

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Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:

  • Crampy abdominal pain that comes and goes
  • Loss of appetite Constipation
  • Vomiting
  • Inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas
  • Swelling of the abdomen

Causes

The most common causes of intestinal obstruction in adults are:

  • Intestinal adhesions bands of fibrous tissue in the abdominal cavity that can form after abdominal or pelvic surgery
  • Colon cancer

In children, the most common cause of intestinal obstruction is telescoping of the intestine (intussusception).

Other possible causes of intestinal obstruction include:

  • Hernias portions of intestine that protrude into another part of your body
  • Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease
  • Diverticulitis a condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected
  • Twisting of the colon (volvulus)
  • Impacted feces

More about Treatment

Intestinal obstruction is a blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through your small intestine or large intestine (colon). Causes of intestinal obstruction may include fibrous bands of tissue (adhesions) in the abdomen that form after surgery, an inflamed intestine (Crohn's disease), infected pouches in your intestine (diverticulitis), hernias and colon cancer.

 

Without treatment, the blocked parts of the intestine can die, leading to serious problems. However, with prompt medical care, intestinal obstruction often can be successfully treated.

 

FAQ on this Treatment

How long is the period of hospitalization for such a surgery?

In most cases, the surgery itself takes a few hours only; however bowel has to be monitored for post-anaesthesia complications. Expect a hospital stay of 4-7 days, longer if complications arise.

How long is the recovery period after bowel obstruction surgery?

Patient can resume normal life and diet within 6 weeks after the surgery if no complications arise.

What are the lifestyle and dietary changes to follow after treatment?

Dietary modifications like less fibre consumption, more soft foods, eating moist dishes (with gravy), chewing food better, eating more frequently in smaller portions, cutting down on alcohol and caffeine are required. Exercise and frequent hydration along with complete stoppage of smoking is advised.

Will my digestion be affected after the treatment?

Digestion will not be affected per say, but dietary modifications are necessary to ensure obstruction does not reoccur.

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