Gas & Intestinal Blockage

An intestinal blockage occurs when food is unable to pass through the colon or small intestine. Hernias and tumors may play a role in this condition, and intestinal gas is common with blockages. However, there are ways to cope with intestinal blockages and ease symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms

• Gas or flatulence is a common sign of intestinal blockages. Additionally, this condition often produces symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and abdominal swelling.

Risk Factors

• The risk for intestinal blockage is higher in people with a history of constipation or other digestive health conditions such as Crohn's disease and abdominal cancer. Blockages may also develop after stomach or pelvic surgery.

Treatment Options

• Hospitalization is necessary to relieve intestinal blockages. Tubes through the nose help remedy blockages in the intestines, and medications are often used to stimulate intestinal contractions, which relieve blockage and gas. In severe cases, surgery is required to treat blockages.

Complications

• Peritonitis is a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of intestinal blockages. If left untreated, blood supply to the intestines decreases, and tissue within the intestinal wall begins to die. Possible symptoms of peritonitis include pain, fever, chills, thirst, swelling and weak pulse.

Prevention/Solution

• Treating hernias or abdominal/intestinal tumors may prevent blockages. But in many cases, there's no way to prevent intestinal blockages.