1. Scar Tissue is to Blame
Small bowel obstruction occurs when the intestine loses function as a result of either partial or complete blockage. Postoperative scar tissue causes most bowel obstructions and can happen anywhere from four weeks to many years after surgery. An incarcerated groin hernia, in which a small portion of the bowel becomes stuck in the groin area, is the second leading cause of small bowel obstruction. Malignant tumors, hernias and inflammatory bowel disease make up a small percentage of small bowel obstructions.
2. X-Rays Help Diagnose
Your doctor can determine the occurrence and type of small bowel obstruction through a variety of tests. He will first take your medical history by asking you a series of questions relating to your pain, symptoms and any past abdominal surgeries. He will also perform a physical examination by feeling your abdomen and listening with a stethoscope for normal bowel sounds. An abdominal x-ray can detect blockages in the small intestine and a CT scan can indicate whether the blockage is partial or complete.
3. Doctors Can Use Non-Surgical Treatments
Partial bowel obstructions usually cause intermittent abdominal pain, occasional diarrhea, bloating and in some instances vomiting. Doctors will admit you to the hospital for close observation to see if the blockage passes. In the meantime, you will not be allowed to eat or drink and will have an IV to receive fluids and prevent dehydration. Doctors may order a nasogastric tube, which is a thin tube that goes down the nose and removes air and fluid from the stomach. Occasionally, nasogastric tubes can alleviate pain and pressure. Doctors will also use non-surgical methods in an attempt to remove the blockage, including enemas and medications. Stents, expandable metal tubes placed in the intestines, are another option.
4. Surgery may be Necessary
A person with a complete bowel obstruction usually presents with the same symptoms as a partial bowel obstruction, although he may experience persistent, more severe abdominal pain and constipation. Doctors treat a complete bowel obstruction with surgery. The surgeon may remove the blockage or the portion of the blocked bowel. In cases where the bowel obstruction is a result of Crohn's disease, some cancers or twisting of the bowel, doctors can perform a laparoscopic surgery. Some patients require a short-term or permanent colostomy after surgery. A colostomy is a disposable plastic bag that collects fecal waste outside the patient's body.
5. Diet is Important
You usually cannot prevent an obstructed bowel. However, you can manage the symptoms associated with an obstruction, particularly constipation. Eat a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of water. Do not overuse laxatives, as doing so can actually promote twisting of the bowel.
