Guide To Common Bowel Obstruction Symptoms

Loss Of Appetite

Loss of appetite frequently develops when an intestinal blockage is present, and it can make constipation worse. Patients with blockages may feel eating increases their abdominal bloating and pain, and individuals who try to eat with this condition may vomit. If left untreated, prolonged loss of appetite can cause weakness, malnutrition, and unintentional weight loss, and it could also lead to electrolyte imbalances that may be dangerous. Since a loss of appetite might be due to tumors or other serious bowel conditions, patients who experience this symptom for more than a week should be examined by a doctor. Patients with persistent vomiting also need an examination. Generally, most patients find their appetite returns to normal after a bowel obstruction is successfully treated.

Inability To Pass Gas

An inability to pass gas could be an indication of an advanced, complete bowel obstruction, and anyone who experiences this symptom should seek urgent medical care. Patients who cannot pass gas may notice their abdomen becomes severely bloated, and they may have significant pain. To prevent tissue death and other serious complications, patients who cannot pass gas will often need emergency surgery to remove a complete bowel obstruction.

During the surgery, doctors will remove the obstruction, and they will also remove any bowel tissue that has died or otherwise become damaged. Some patients may have a procedure involving the placement of a metal stent into the colon. To place a stent, surgeons attach it to an endoscope passed through the mouth or colon until it reaches the blocked area. The stent will expand once it is inside the colon, allowing the blockage to clear. Patients who have any type of surgery to clear a bowel obstruction will be monitored closely, and they typically need to spend at least a few days in the hospital.