It is possible to loosen a bowel blockage at home in two ways. Intestinal obstruction, also known as bowel blockage, prevents gas, fluids, or solids from moving freely through the intestines. It can cause constipation and, rarely, diarrhea.
A lot of the time, complete blockages need a stay in the hospital and possibly surgery. You should also remember that if you have a partially blocked bowel, your doctor may suggest that you hold off until it clears on its own. This also depends on when you are able to pass gas and feces out of your body. Then there are a few things that you can do at home to help you feel better if this is the case.
If you’ve had surgery for a bowel obstruction, there are things you can do at home to ensure a speedy recovery. To prevent your bowels from becoming blocked again, you can also make some changes.
Your treatment and safety depend heavily on follow-up care. Keep all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse if you have any issues. Keep a record of your test results and medicines you take, as well.
How is bowel blockage treated?
It is imperative to determine the cause of your intestinal blockage before treating it.
In the case of complete obstruction of the bowel, you will probably need to be hospitalized for treatment. This typically includes surgery or a procedure to remove the obstruction.
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When you are healthy enough for surgery, the area causing the blockage may be removed. Any tissue within your bowel that has died due to lack of blood flow can also be removed by your surgeon.
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If you are too sick to undergo emergency surgery, a stent is a safer option. In order to open the bowel, a wire mesh stent is placed in the bowel near the blockage. This will allow the matter to move forward again. A stent may be enough for some people. Others may need surgery after they become stable.
How can you care for yourself at home?
The doctor may have told you to wait at home for a blockage to clear on its own; try these steps:
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In order to avoid a complete blockage, your doctor may recommend a liquid diet.
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If you think that you are having a problem with your medicine, you can call your doctor or nurse line.
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To relieve mild cramps and pain, place a heating pad on your belly.
To prevent another blockage
Eat smaller portions more often. Rather than eating two or three large meals a day, have five or six small ones.
Chew your food thoroughly. Try chewing each bite about 20 times or until it is liquid.
Whenever possible, avoid high-fiber foods and raw fruit and veggies with skins, husks, strings, or seeds; these can form a ball of undigested material that could lead to a blockage if your bowel is scarred or narrowed.
Before eating whole grains or taking fiber supplements like Benefiber or Metamucil, consult your physician.
In order to have regular bowel movements, you should eat at regular times and not strain when you poop. In addition, drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. You should consult your doctor before increasing your fluid intake, particularly if you have kidney, heart, or liver disease.
If your doctor recommends it, drink high-calorie liquid formulas. Severe symptoms may make it difficult for your body to absorb vitamins and minerals.
Get consistent exercise. It helps you digest food better. Have at least two hours of exercise per week. Walking can be a wise choice.
What are the causes of intestinal blockage?
Your bowel can become blocked in several ways:
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You may have a twisted part of your bowel that closes off and prevents anything from passing through.
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It is possible for the bowel to become inflamed and swollen.
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Your bowel can become too narrow due to scar tissue or a hernia.
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It is possible that a tumour or other growth inside your bowel could obstruct the passage.
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Some bowel tissue may also die if the blood vessels leading to the bowel are damaged.
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Most often, bowel obstruction is caused by inflammation, prior surgeries, or cancer.
Small intestine obstructions are more likely to occur than large intestine obstructions. Some common causes are:
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Cancer of the stomach
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Cancer of the ovary
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The Crohn’s disease
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Inflammatory bowel disease
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The hernia
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Cancer of the colon
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Surgery scar tissue
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Abdominal radiation
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An advanced form of lung cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma that has spread to the bowel
What are the symptoms of an intestinal blockage?
Some symptoms of intestinal blockage are:
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You are experiencing severe abdominal pain
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Feelings of severe cramping in your stomach
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Vomiting
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Your belly feels full or swollen
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Your belly is making loud noises
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Gassy, but unable to pass it
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Constipation is the inability to pass stool
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What is the diagnosis of an intestinal blockage?
How is an intestinal blockage diagnosed?
To diagnose your condition, your healthcare provider will consider:
- Your overall health and health history
- The location and intensity of any pain
- If there are changes in your bowel movements or appetite
- Whether there are any other unusual symptoms, such as digestive sounds or feelings of being bloated
- A physical exam
- The outcome of imaging tests, such as abdominal X-ray, barium contrast study, or CT.
What may be the possible complications of an intestinal blockage?
The complications of intestinal blockage can include:
- Pain
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Inability to keep food or fluids down
- Fever
- Infection
- Death (but rare)
Living with an intestinal blockage?
Follow the advice of your doctor or nurse. As part of your treatment, if he or she has told you to change what you eat, do so. Your diet should make your digestive system’s job easier while still giving you the nutrients you need.
When should I call my healthcare provider?
If you have symptoms associated with intestinal blockages, such as severe belly pain, vomiting, and inability to pass stool, get medical care right away.
Other times you can call your surgeon if you have:
- Vomiting or nausea
- Diarrhea that does not go away
- Pain that does not go away or is getting worse
- A swollen or tender belly
- Little or no gas or stools to pass
- Fever or chills
- Blood in your stool
Key points about intestinal blockage
Complications Bowel Blockage
i just got out of the hospital for a bowel blockage and they put in a N G tube i would much rather have surgury instead of an N G tube tube .
Yes Dave. Surgery will give you a more permanent solution. Good luck!
NG tubes are no fun!!!! But if you have surgery, you might also have an NG tube. The problem with surgery is, it creates more scar tissue, creating more opportunities for blockages. Ask me how I know…
The most important thing, I’ve been told and it’s been true for me, is to stay hydrated. Drink water, drink water, drink water. Best wishes to you, Dave.
Been there, totally agree
I have no pain but severe bloating going into a cold sweat what should I do
Bloating, excess stomach gases, are as a result of acidic gastric juice. You can resolve this by taking antacids on the mild side. If unresolved you can add cimetidine, omeprazole or other anti-ulcer medication.
My sister has bowel obstructions 3-4 times a year. She has extreme cramping and nausea which results in vomiting. She lives in fear of these bowel obstructions. Please advise me what she can do to manage these bowel obstructions. Thank you.
Water, water, water. I’ve been struggling with this for a few years now, after surgery. The culprit is always that I haven’t been drinking enough. I drink tons of water in the summer, because I work outside. In the winter, I have to remember to drink all day long, and when I forget, it sometimes gets me in trouble. The surgeon told me it’s important to drink all day – drinking a lot at one time, and then going hours without drinking doesn’t work.
Best wishes to your sister- it’s not fun!
omeprazole IS KNOWN to cause cancer, i would avoid it, if you google it, 1st thing that comes up is about its anti-cancer properties, in my opnion this is just big pharma propaganda-even if true a cancer causing anticancer drug doesnt sound very logical, but logic isnt on their minds, its money.
just keep scrolling and the truth will reveal itself.
Hi! I just had a MRE and it showed that I had a partial blockage on my small intestine. The doc told me to take prednisone to treat inflammation and said that in a few days I probably would have a bowel movement. The thing is that I don’t feel pain anymore and I have not have a bowl movement. I am thinking to go to the hospital because I am afraid that the tissue has died and that is why I have had no more pain. Has anyone have anything like this before? It’s been two weeks that my pain started and 4 days that it stopped but no bowel movimento.
I strain to poop and have diabetes and high blood pressure what’s the treatment
One of the best methods I have found is caster oil placed on abdomen then a paper towel and heating pad. The caster oil conducts the heat and soaks in . Works every time.
Hi my name is Ava and I am always constipaded.I tried everything miralax GOLY pills gummis for constipation and nothing works! I don’t know what to do anymore! I c a gi dr but so far nothings he’s suggested works ! Does anyone have a solution ?
I read online something about Coca-Cola helping to relieve partial blockage?