Perforated Bowel Symptoms

When the walls of the intestine rupture, it causes all the contents of the intestine to spill out into the abdominal cavity. This leakage results in sepsis that may lead to death if not treated as soon as possible. This condition is called perforated bowel, or gastrointestinal perforation. But how does one know if they are suffering from a perforated bowel? One should be aware of the perforated bowel symptoms to be able seek immediate medical help. You can learn all about the symptoms of a perforated bowel in the following paragraphs, that may help you save a life, even yours.

Perforated Bowel Causes
Perforated bowel causes includes colonoscopy, where the doctor examines the colon by inserting a camera. This procedure helps the doctor remove a few polyps in the walls of colon to be tested for cancer. Colonoscopy procedure can lead to perforation of the large intestine. Other than this, medical negligence can also lead to perforated colon. During an enema or puncturing of the intestines by a colon hydrotherapists may also lead to perforated bowel.

Perforated bowel causes include traumatic injury, Crohn's disease, colitis, gastrointestinal cancer, etc. Other perforated bowel causes include appendicitis, diverticulitis, gallbladder diseases and infections, gallstones, stomach ulcer and ulcerative colitis. It can also be caused by puncture of colon by insertion of objects via anus or swallowing them through mouth. In extremely rare cases, a genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, of the Vascular Type (Type IV), may cause perforated bowel.

Symptoms of Perforated Bowel
There are many perforated bowel symptoms that are often associated with other mild or severe conditions as well as diseases. The most common of all symptoms of perforated bowel is pain. One may suffer from severe abdominal pain that is not alleviated even by medications. In case small perforations, one may feel a dull abdomen ache that one tends to ignore.

Abdominal distention is another symptoms of a perforated bowel. One may develop persistent swelling on the abdomen that looks abnormal. One may even have a feeling of fullness at all times due to perforated colon. This leads to loss of appetite. One may even develop a fever of over 102ºF and above along with chills.

Perforated bowel symptoms also include nausea and intense vomiting. The feeling of nausea is very severe that it leads to vomiting. Abnormal bowel movements also indicate perforated colon. One may suffer from an intermittent episodes of diarrhea followed by constipation. Few may even develop dark, tarry stools.

Treatment of Perforated Bowel
Once perforated bowel symptoms are diagnosed, a patient needs immediate medical help. This is because the toxins and waste substances from the body are spilled into the abdomen. This may lead to poisoning, infections, sepsis and toxic shock syndrome. Surgery is the only option in most cases that helps in treatment of perforated colon. In some cases a small part of the intestine is removed. In a few rare cases, small perforations have been treated using antibiotics.

This was all about perforated bowel symptoms. The symptoms of a perforated bowel maybe similar to other gastrointestinal problems. However, if you experience a sharp, constant pain, seek medical help immediately. Those suffering from pre-existing conditions like appendicitis, Crohn's disease, etc., should be extra careful. Hope the above paragraphs on perforated bowel symptoms helps you understand the signs of this deadly condition.