Intestinal Blockage Symptoms

The alternative names for intestinal blockage are Paralytic ileus, Intestinal volvulus, Colonic ileus and Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal. Intestinal blockage is also referred to as a bowel blockage in layman's man’s language. The symptoms of this condition vary according to the exact location of the block. Before we turn our attention to intestinal blockage symptoms, let's learn more about what is intestinal blockage to be precise.

What is Intestinal Blockage?
Intestinal blockage is the partial or complete blockage of either intestines which prevents waste, whether fluids, solids or gas, to move smoothly within the intestines. An intestinal blockage found in the small intestine is also referred to as small bowel obstruction and a blockage found in the large intestine is also referred to as large bowel or colonic obstruction. If the supply of blood is cut off, it is called ischemic bowel or bowel strangulation. This is a severe case of intestinal blockage and needs medical attention immediately. The causes of intestinal blockage are many. In some cases, it can be caused either due to tumors in the intestine, or hernia, or presence of fibrous bands of tissue.

Intestinal Blockage Symptoms
The symptoms of intestinal blockage depend on whether the blockage is in the large or in the small intestine, however, these symptoms are more or less similar to one another.

• Abdominal Pain: If the intestinal blockage is in the small intestine, it causes cramping abdominal pain. This pain is located around the belly button. In case of continuous severe pain only in one area, it means that blood supply has been cut off to that part of the intestine. Therefore, seek medical help without further delay. If you are experiencing abdominal pain below the belly button, it means there is a blockage in the large intestine. The intensity of the pain will vary, however, severe continuous pain is a sign of hole in the intestine. Again seek medical help immediately.
• Diarrhea and Constipation: In case of small or large intestinal blockage, depending on the nature of obstruction, you may have diarrhea or constipation. Constipation coupled with the inability to pass gas is a sign of intestinal obstruction. When the obstruction is partial, you may be able to pass stool and gas. If the obstruction is complete, bowel movement will be completely restricted, if there is stool below the obstruction.
• Bloating: Bloating in the lower abdomen, means blockage in the small intestine. It gives rise to gurgling sounds. Excessive gas and bloating often go hand in hand. In case of a complete blockage, your doctor will be able to hear high pitched sounds with his stethoscope. Decrease in sounds means the bowel movements have also decreased. If you are experiencing pain around your belly button or in the pelvic region, it signifies a colonic blockage.
• Vomiting: Vomiting is not a common symptom in case of large intestinal blockages. In case you do vomit, it will be in the later stage of illness. Small intestinal blockage causes vomiting. If the vomit is green in color it means the obstruction is in the upper part of the small intestine. In case of obstruction in the lower part of the small intestine the vomit is purple in color. This is a very good method to know the location of the blockage. In some cases, the vomit may resemble feces, as the body finds it difficult to get rid of the fecal matter. Remember, it is a serious condition and should be tended to urgently.
• Obstructions due to Cancer: If the blockage is caused due to cancer, the stool has blood in it and you will notice weight loss and the loss of appetite, along with other symptoms of intestinal blockage.
• Weakness: If you are feeling fatigued, it can be due to an intestinal blockage. Since there is an obstruction, the body is not able to absorb the vital nutrients required for its functioning. This causes weakness and fatigue.
• Urination Problem: If you notice decreased or no urination, it signals intestinal obstruction. This can result in pressure on the kidneys.
• Abdominal Swelling: Obstruction in the abdomen can cause abdominal swelling. However, not all forms of abdominal swelling are as a result of an intestinal blockage.
• Fever: If you have been harboring an intestinal blockage for a certain duration of time, it can cause fever as well, as more often than not intestinal blockage is accompanied by constipation.
• Abdominal Tenderness: Often it is observed that obstruction of intestines causes abdominal tenderness.
• Breath Odor: It is seen that a person suffering from intestinal blockage may also have a breath odor. It is often caused due to constipation, which is one of the symptoms of intestinal blockage.
• Nausea: Other than the symptoms mentioned above, nausea is often seen in patients suffering from intestinal blockage. It is often caused due to inability of the body to excrete the waste.

An abdomen CT scan or X-ray would be required to ascertain that the symptoms indeed point towards intestinal blockage. If the tests come out to be positive, a tube can be passed through the nose into the intestine to relieve the patient of the blockage. If the tube is unable to relieve the patient, then a surgery might be required.

At this point, I would like to bring to your notice, that conditions like vomiting, pressure on the diaphragm, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities can cause the condition to get complicated. It is important that you seek medical help, when you notice intestinal blockage symptoms. As there are serious complications of an intestinal blockage, it is important that no time is wasted and you get yourself examined by a physician.