What are the five causes of intestinal obstruction?

Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:
  • Adhesions or scar tissue that form after surgery.
  • Foreign bodies (objects that are swallowed and block the intestines)
  • Gallstones (rare)
  • Hernias.
  • Impacted stool.
  • Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
  • Tumors blocking the intestines.


What are the common causes of intestinal obstruction?

Causes of intestinal obstruction may include fibrous bands of tissue (adhesions) in the abdomen that form after surgery; hernias; colon cancer; certain medications; or strictures from an inflamed intestine caused by certain conditions, such as Crohn's disease or diverticulitis.

What are the types of intestinal obstructions?

There are two types of small bowel obstruction:
  • functional — there is no physical blockage, however, the bowels are not moving food through the digestive tract.
  • mechanical — there is a blockage preventing the movement of food.


What is the most common cause of bowel obstruction of the small intestine?

Small bowel obstructions are usually caused by scar tissue, hernia, or cancer. In the United States, most obstructions occur as a result of prior surgeries. The bowel often forms bands of scar (called adhesions) after being handled during an operation.

What disease causes obstruction?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That's an inflammatory lung disease that blocks the airflow into the lungs. COPD can cause inflammation of the lining of the tubes that carry air to the sacs in the lungs. This is called chronic bronchitis.


Bowel Obstruction - Causes and Pathophysiology



What foods cause obstruction?

Foods to avoid
  • Skins of potatoes.
  • All skins, pips and seeds.
  • Tough stalks of vegetables e.g. cauliflower, broccoli.
  • Raw vegetables.
  • Asparagus.
  • Brussels sprouts, cabbage, spring greens.
  • Onion, garlic, leeks, spring onions.
  • Pickled onions, gherkins.


Which bacteria causes intestinal obstruction?

The most common bacteria cultured from the MLNs was Escherichia coli. Thus, it appeared that simple intestinal obstruction of the colon or small bowel in the absence of necrotic bowel was associated with bacterial translocation.

What medications cause bowel obstruction?

  • Opioid pain relievers. Also called narcotics, opioids treat pain that is severe and that has not improved with other, milder pain medications. ...
  • NSAIDs. ...
  • Antihistamines. ...
  • Tricyclic antidepressants. ...
  • Urinary incontinence medications. ...
  • Iron supplements. ...
  • Blood pressure medications. ...
  • Anti-nausea medications.


What are the warning signs of a bowel obstruction?

Symptoms of intestinal obstruction are:
  • Severe pain in your belly.
  • Severe cramping sensations in your belly.
  • Throwing up.
  • Feelings of fullness or swelling in your belly.
  • Loud sounds from your belly.
  • Feeling gassy, but being unable to pass gas.
  • Constipation (being unable to pass stool)


What foods prevent bowel blockages?

Try making smoothies with yogurt and fruit juice concentrate or low fibre fruit and vegetable choices. Include pureed vegetable soups as they are nutritious and low in fibre because they are diluted with broth. Make a stir-fry with poultry, seafood or meat and low fibre vegetables such as zucchini and bell peppers.

What is the best treatment for bowel obstruction?

Surgery typically involves removing the obstruction, as well as any section of your intestine that has died or is damaged. Alternatively, your doctor may recommend treating the obstruction with a self-expanding metal stent.


Which is the most common place for an intestinal obstruction?

Bowel obstructions can happen in your small or large intestine, but they're more likely to be in the small intestine.

How do you treat an intestinal blockage without surgery?

Therapeutic Enema

A barium or enema may be used to diagnose and treat an intussusception. During the procedure air or a liquid containing contrast is injected through the rectum into the bowel. The air or liquid will create pressure in the large bowel which will hopefully push out the folded piece of bowel.

What is the most common cause of large bowel obstruction?

The most common cause of large bowel obstruction is colorectal cancer. This activity explains the risk factors, evaluation, and management of large bowel obstruction and highlights the importance of an interprofessional team in enhancing care for affected patients.


How long can you live with an intestinal blockage?

Without any fluids (either as sips, ice chips or intravenously) people with a complete bowel obstruction most often survive a week or two. Sometimes it's only a few days, sometimes as long as three weeks. With fluids, survival time may be extended by a few weeks or even a month or two.

Can you still poop if you have a bowel obstruction?

Severe bowel obstruction can entirely block part of the intestine. This may stop all solids, liquids, and gases from passing through the digestive system. Someone with a complete obstruction will find passing a stool or gas difficult, if not impossible.

Can a bowel obstruction cure itself?

Most of the time, complete blockages require a stay in the hospital and possibly surgery. But if your bowel is only partly blocked, your doctor may tell you to wait until it clears on its own and you are able to pass gas and stool. If so, there are things you can do at home to help make you feel better.


What happens if a bowel obstruction is not treated?

Potential Complications from a bowel obstruction

A bowel obstruction, whether partial or complete, can lead to serious and life threatening conditions if left untreated. The intestine can get swollen from the trapped air, fluid, and food. This swelling can make the intestine less able to absorb fluid.

Can bowel obstruction happen suddenly?

A bowel obstruction can begin suddenly or may progress gradually over several weeks or days. 2 Before a complete bowel obstruction develops, you may experience some warning signs caused by a partial bowel obstruction. Symptoms that often precede a partial or complete bowel obstruction include: Decreased appetite.

What antibiotics treat a bowel obstruction?

Metronidazole (Flagyl)

Metronidazole is an imidazole ring-based antibiotic active against various anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. This agent is used in combination with other antimicrobial agents (but used alone in Clostridium difficile enterocolitis).


What are 3 symptoms of intestinal infection?

Some common symptoms of bowel infection include:
  • diarrhoea.
  • nausea.
  • vomiting.
  • crampy abdominal pain.
  • fever.
  • headache.


What are the symptoms of a bacterial infection in your intestines?

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and pain. In severe cases, you may become dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance. Bacterial gastroenteritis is sometimes treated with antibiotics.

How do you know if you have bacteria in your intestines?

Symptoms
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Nausea.
  • Bloating.
  • An uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Unintentional weight loss.
  • Malnutrition.


Can eating too much cause a bowel obstruction?

Phytobezoar as a cause of small bowel obstruction has risk factors such as intake of large amount of food with high-fiber content and inadequate chewing (1, 2). Excessive consumption of foods with high fiber content is a dietary factor.

What does a food obstruction feel like?

Symptoms of an intestinal blockage include severe belly pain or cramping, vomiting, not being able to pass stool or gas, and other signs of belly distress.