Guide To Common Bowel Obstruction Symptoms

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is another common occurrence with bowel obstructions. This doesn't tend to be a prevalent symptom in cases where the blockage is total, because nothing is able to exit the digestive system. However, in cases where there is only a partial blockage, patients often experience diarrhea. Due to the obstruction in their bowels or intestines, there is a buildup of gas, gastric acids, fluids, and food behind the obstruction. All of these things normally pass through the digestive system.

If individuals are experiencing diarrhea that seems to occur alongside constipation, or they have other symptoms of intestinal distress alongside diarrhea, they should talk to a doctor. Diarrhea occurs when individuals pass watery and loose stools. They may feel a need to use the bathroom more often, and might not be able to hold stool in. There are many causes of diarrhea besides a bowel obstruction, not all of which are life-threatening. For this reason, it's important for individuals to pay attention to the other symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment of a bowel obstruction could save lives.

Fever

A fever indicates an individual's bowel obstruction has become an emergency situation. At the beginning of the blockage, treatment is just a matter of removing the blockage so waste can exit the body. However, as time goes on, the blockage can cause a buildup of pressure within the digestive system. This can cause an individual's intestines to completely rupture. At that point, waste and bacteria flood the abdominal cavity. This is a life-threatening complication and it requires immediate emergency medical treatment.

A ruptured intestine tends to be accompanied by a sudden fever and increase in abdominal pain. The average human temperature is around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit. If an individual's temperature becomes higher than this, it could be a sign they're fighting off an infection. A fever is considered high if it gets higher than 103 degrees Fahrenheit. High fevers can be dangerous in and of themselves. If an individual's intestines have ruptured, they'll need emergency medical treatment that will probably include one or more surgeries.