Giant Bowel Obstruction | Veterans Affairs

Causes of enormous bowel obstruction

A big bowel obstruction will be attributable to the next:

• A progress or tumor that blocks the gut, similar to most cancers

• Twisting of the bowel round itself (volvulus)

• A narrowing (stricture) of the bowel attributable to scar tissue from circumstances, similar to diverticulitis and Crohn’s illness

• Sliding of part of the bowel into one other half (intussusception)

• A tough lump of stool (impacted feces)

Signs of enormous bowel obstruction

Frequent signs embody:

Generally signs occur over weeks or months. These can embody:

• Modifications in bowel habits

• Unplanned weight reduction

Diagnosing massive bowel obstruction

Your healthcare supplier will ask about your signs and well being historical past. You’ll even have a bodily examination. As well as, checks could also be carried out to verify the prognosis. These can embody:

• Imaging checks. These present photos of the big bowel. Frequent checks embody X-rays and a CT scan.

• Blood checks. These test for an infection and different issues, similar to fluid loss (dehydration).

• Air enema or distinction enema. Considered one of these checks is finished to take photos inside the big bowel. A skinny tube is inserted into the rectum by means of the anus. Then both air or distinction fluid is distributed by means of the tube. This makes the bowel present up clearly on X-rays.

• Colonoscopy. This process with anesthesia is finished to look at the within of the big bowel with a colonoscope (scope). The scope is a skinny, versatile tube with a tiny digital camera on the tip. It is inserted into your rectum by means of your anus. This lets your supplier test for issues and acquire tissue samples (biopsy), if wanted. A shorter scope known as a versatile sigmoidoscope or proctoscope could also be used to see simply the sigmoid colon or rectum.   

Treating massive bowel obstruction

Therapy takes place in a hospital. As a part of your care, the next could also be carried out:

• No meals or drink is given by mouth. This permits your bowels to relaxation.

• An IV (intravenous) line is positioned in a vein in your arm or hand. It’s used to provide you fluids, diet, and medicines. These could also be wanted to ease ache and different signs. They might even be wanted to deal with or forestall infections.

• A delicate, skinny, versatile tube (nasogastric tube) is inserted by means of your nostril and into your abdomen. The tube is used to take away additional gasoline and fluid in your abdomen and bowels. An air or distinction enema could also be carried out as properly. It may possibly take away gasoline or assist clear a blockage.

• In some circumstances of enormous bowel obstruction, procedures with a colonoscope are carried out as remedy. As an illustration, the scope could also be used to straighten a twisted colon that’s inflicting a blockage. Or, instruments could also be handed by means of the scope to make narrowed areas of the colon wider. Or to position a stent within the colon. A stent is an expandable tube-like machine. Inserting it within the colon may help ease the blockage.

• Generally surgical procedure is finished as remedy for a big bowel obstruction. Throughout surgical procedure, the blockage is eliminated. If a part of the bowel has died as a result of lack of blood circulation, this should even be eliminated to stop an infection. The wholesome ends of the bowel are then reconnected. If an extended a part of the bowel is eliminated, a small opening (stoma) could should be made within the stomach. This offers a brand new means for waste to depart the physique. The stoma could also be short-term (momentary) or long-term (everlasting). Different restore could also be carried out as properly. This can depend upon the trigger and extent of the blockage.

• As soon as remedy is finished, you’ll be watched carefully within the hospital till your signs enhance. Your supplier will inform you when can go house. If a stoma was made throughout surgical procedure, you’ll be taught easy methods to take care of it appropriately earlier than leaving the hospital.

Lengthy-term issues 

After remedy, many individuals recuperate with no lasting results. If an extended a part of your bowel was eliminated, you’re at increased danger of lifelong digestive issues. Bowel actions could change into irregular. When you’ve got most cancers or different long-term circumstances, you’ll must preserve seeing your healthcare supplier for remedy. Work together with your supplier to study the very best methods to handle your situation and to guard your well being.

When to name the healthcare supplier

Name your supplier straight away when you’ve got any of those:

• Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or increased, or as suggested by your supplier

• Chills

• Stomach swelling or cramping that gained’t go away

• Unable to go stool or gasoline

• Upset abdomen (nausea) and vomiting

• Growing stomach ache

• Rectal bleeding or black, tarry stools