How to Relieve an Intestinal Obstruction

The Mayo Clinic defines an intestinal obstruction as a blockage that develops in your small intestines and colon. The blockage results in food and liquids being unable to pass through the intestines and colon. Treating an intestinal blockage is important, as blocked areas of the intestine will die. Tissue death can occur, leading to the perforation of your intestines. If perforations develop, infection and shock can happen. Depending on the severity of the obstruction, relief treatments will vary.

Instructions

• 1

  Get examined.

  Make an appointment with your physician if you suspect you're suffering from an intestinal obstruction. Receive a physical exam, which will entail checking your abdomen for tenderness, swelling and a lump on the abdomen where an obstruction could exist.

• 2

  Get imaging tests.

  Get an X-ray or CT scan of the obstruction. This will help your physician identify the type of obstruction you might be suffering from, including a partial or complete obstruction.

• 3

  Get fluids replenished.

  Undergo hospitalization if an obstruction is detected. According to Merck, you should get an IV for fluids. This will help restore fluids that will have been lost if you suffered from diarrhea and vomiting.

• 4

  Have a nasogastric tube placed into your stomach. This tube will help suction out fluid and air that can cause abdominal swelling.

• 5

  Get surgery if necessary.

  Undergo surgery if you have a complete intestinal obstruction. A complete intestinal obstruction means that no food or fluids are able to pass through your intestines. Surgery will be required to open this obstruction and remove any tissue that has died.

• 6

  Have your physician watch you.

  Take medications to help muscle contractions of your intestines if you suffer from a partial obstruction. Have your physician monitor you to ensure that your symptoms improve and that food and fluids are properly moving through your intestines.