An intestinal blockage or obstruction is the condition in which something prevents food and water from progressing through the digestive tract. The cause of an intestinal blockage can be either a mechanical obstruction (something physically in the...
Intestinal blockage can be uncomfortable and painful. Blockage due to mechanisms such as undigested foods or soft stool can inhibit proper functioning of the intestines and cause painful and infrequent bowel movements, while obstruction caused by...
An intestinal blockage is a partial or complete obstruction of the small or large intestine. In adults, intestinal blockages usually occur as a result of a mechanical issue, such as the formation of a hernia or tumor. In children, however, the...
Food poisoning is not a common cause of intestinal obstruction, a condition where stool cannot pass through the intestines, although botulism, a type of food poisoning, can cause ileus, a slowdown or stoppage of peristalsis. Peristalsis, the...
A blockage in the intestinal tract is referred to as an intestinal obstruction. The blockage usually occurs in the small intestine or colon and may be partial or complete. Partial blockages significantly hinder the movement of contents through the...
Although their symptoms are quite similar, a colon blockage --- also known as an intestinal obstruction --- and constipation are entirely different conditions. You may feel as if you're experiencing a blockage, but, as long as you can pass stool...
Strenuous bowel movements cause a rise in inner abdominal pressure. Prolonged stretches of high abdominal pressure may bring about a variety of medical problems. Intestinal blockage is the most common and one of the most dangerous causes of bowel...
Beeswax is a substance produced by female worker bees, according to Botanical.com. Bees mold this waxy substance into honeycomb cells, which are filled with honey and covered with another layer of beeswax. This substance is commonly used in lip...
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, that causes inflammation of the digestive tract lining. Common symptoms include abdominal pain and diarrhea. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Medical and...
The colon is another name for the large intestine. The colon is primarily responsible for absorbing water and compacting fecal matter, although it can also absorb certain nutrients (primarily vitamins). The colon is lined by cells called...
Fiber is an important part of a healthy diet. Fiber is a carbohydrate that cannot be digested by the body or absorbed by the bloodstream. Fiber is classified into two categories — soluble and insoluble. Both are important when it comes to...
Colon blockage in children under 2 years old is usually a mechanical blockage or a pseudo-obstruction. In neonates, colon blockage symptoms appear one or two days after birth, while other blockages appear after ingesting inappropriate items or in...
A considerable amount of body fat is stored around your abdomen. This buildup of fatty tissue can be unpleasant to look at as well as a considerable health risk. Fat buildup around your mid-section can raise your risk for a lot of health problems....
Fiber, the indigestible part of plants, is good for you -- as long as you eat it correctly. While fiber can help lower cholesterol, stabilize blood sugar and decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, fiber's main role through history has...
Crohn's disease is chronic disease that is one of the many inflammatory bowel diseases. Crohn's disease often runs in families as approximately 20 percent of all Crohn's patients have a family member with some form of inflammatory bowel disease,...
Fiber supplements such as Metamucil are used by many to increase the amount of fiber they consume each day. Although Metamucil is safe for many people to use, it can cause some unintended side effects, including a blockage in the digestive tract....
Although your stomach muscles always contract after you eat in order to break down food and start the digestive process, you don't usually feel it. Many disorders can cause stomach cramping after eating, some temporary and some chronic, some...
According to the Mayo Clinic, cystic fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening genetic disorder that mainly affects the respiratory and digestive systems. CF occurs because of a defective gene that causes the secretions to become thick and sticky,...
Lipozene is a weight loss fiber supplement containing the water-soluble fiber glucomannan. Glucomannan absorbs water, "plumping" in your digestive system to promote larger, bulkier, easy to pass stool. Water-soluble fiber also tends to encourage a...
Castor oil is a pure vegetable oil that is extracted from the seeds of the castor plant. It has been a go-to cure-all for thousands of years. While some applications have gone the way of the wife's tale, there are still some modern uses for this...
Imodium is an over-the-counter medication that is used to treat diarrhea. RX List.com reports that children ages 3 to 5 should use the liquid formulation of Imodium. Children ages 6 to 12 should use either Imodium Capsules or Imodium A-D Liquid....
Fiber is a necessary part of a healthy diet, and many people might not be getting enough of it. The Harvard School of Public Health says children and adults should consume at least 20 g of fiber daily from food. On the other hand, too much fiber...
You tuck your child into bed each night. You do your best to provide for their well being and safety. So when your child wakes up vomiting you naturally worry. Seeing your child feel unwell and not knowing the cause for their discomfort produces...
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, psyllium has been known to aid in conditions such as diabetes, constipation, colon cancer, diarrhea, heart disease and high blood pressure. Psyllium is available in two forms: dry seed or...
A tummy ache causes a baby discomfort that leads to fussiness and may interfere with her sleep. Potential causes of an infant stomachache include lactose intolerance, colic, reflux, gastroenteritis, constipation, gas or an intestinal blockage....
Lower abdomen side aches cause discomfort in the lower lateral portions of your midsection. Most people experience pain in the lower portions of their abdomen occasionally, and in most cases it isn't a cause for concern. This pain can be caused by...
Hemorrhoids cause itching, burning and discomfort in and around the anal area. Pregnancy and obesity, as well as straining during a bowel movement, can cause veins to swell and become inflamed. Rectal bleeding remains a common symptom of...
Flaxseed's benefits are widely touted in the health food community. It's used as a fiber source as well as a source of omega-3 fatty acids. It is possible to have too much of a good things, though. Because flaxseed is so high in fiber,...
Diverticulitis occurs when pouches in the intestine, known as diverticula, become inflamed or infected. It commonly occurs in the sigmoid colon part of the large intestine. Common symptoms include gas, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea,...
Ascariasis is caused by the Ascaris lumbricoides worm, which lives in the intestine. Learn how to treat ascariasis in this video.
