Bowel obstruction
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Bowel obstruction
A bowel obstruction is a blockage in the intestines that prevents gas, fluids, or solids from moving through the intestines normally. Many different problems can cause a bowel obstruction, such as scar tissue from previous surgeries (adhesions), certain types of hernias, cancer, twisting of the intestines (volvulus), or diverticulitis.
Symptoms of a bowel obstruction include:
- Cramping abdominal pain. The pain may affect all or part of the abdominal area and may be severe.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- An inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas.
- Bloating.
A suspected bowel obstruction needs to be evaluated by a doctor and may require medical or surgical treatment.
Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Denele Ivins |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
| Last Updated | May 16, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 16, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Monica Rhodes |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Jerome B. Simon, MD, FRCPC, FACP - Gastroenterology |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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