Bowel Obstruction

Bowel obstruction, or intestinal obstruction, is a condition that occurs when the intestinal contents cannot pass through the intestines. This prevents products of digestion from passing through the body, which may cause patients to experience constipation and abdominal pain, among other symptoms.

The condition is linked to the use of certain medications, including metoclopramide (Reglan) and Accutane, a popular acne medication that may increase the risk of the development of inflammatory bowel disease, a cause of bowel obstruction, prompting many patients to file an Accutane lawsuit to seek compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering.

Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction

Patients with bowel obstruction may experience the following symptoms:

Abdominal pain
Abdominal cramping
Abdominal distention
Constipation
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Gas

A doctor should be contacted if abdominal distention does not pass and a patient cannot have a bowel movement.

Diagnosis of Bowel Obstruction

When a bowl obstruction is suspected, a doctor may implement a variety of tests to examine a patient. A doctor will often use a stethoscope to listen to a patient's abdomen. High-pitched noises may indicate an obstruction, though this may not occur if the obstruction has lasted for a significant amount of time.

Additional tests, including a CT scan or X-ray of the abdomen, as well as a barium enema or a series of X-rays of the esophagus, stomach and small intestine, may be recommended.

Treatment of Bowel Obstruction

When a patient experiences bowel obstruction, treatment at a hospital is typically required.

Medications and an IV are typically utilized to provide relief from symptoms.

If the bowel obstruction does not dissipate, a patient may require surgery to remove the blockage. The surgery is often performed through miniscule incisions with a lighted scope.

Following surgery, a patient my require a colostomy or ileostomy, two procedures performed by making a hole in a patients stomach, and connecting part of the large or small intestine to the opening in the skin, allowing waste to leave the body threw the new opening, called a stoma.