From the Guidelines
Bowel obstruction symptoms include abdominal pain, often crampy and coming in waves, along with abdominal distension or bloating, as well as nausea and vomiting, with vomit potentially containing bile or fecal material in complete obstructions, as noted in the most recent study 1.
Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction
The symptoms of bowel obstruction can vary depending on the location and severity of the obstruction.
- Abdominal pain, often crampy and coming in waves
- Abdominal distension or bloating
- Nausea and vomiting, with vomit potentially containing bile or fecal material in complete obstructions
- Constipation or inability to pass gas
- Loud gurgling sounds (borborygmi) or high-pitched tinkling sounds when the intestine is trying to push contents past the obstruction
- Fever, rapid heart rate, and dehydration can develop as complications These symptoms require immediate medical attention as bowel obstruction can lead to serious complications including intestinal tissue death, perforation, and life-threatening infection if not promptly treated, as highlighted in 1.
Variation in Symptoms
Symptoms may vary depending on whether the obstruction is partial or complete, and where it's located in the intestinal tract.
- Upper intestinal obstructions tend to cause earlier vomiting
- Lower obstructions may present with more significant distension before vomiting occurs It is essential to consider these variations when diagnosing and managing bowel obstruction, as emphasized in 1.
Importance of Prompt Treatment
Prompt treatment is crucial to prevent serious complications and improve patient outcomes.
- Immediate medical attention is necessary to diagnose and manage bowel obstruction
- Delayed treatment can lead to severe consequences, including intestinal tissue death, perforation, and life-threatening infection As noted in 1, bowel obstruction is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for nearly 30,000 deaths and more than $3 billion per year in direct medical costs.
From the Research
Symptoms of Intestinal Obstruction
The symptoms of intestinal obstruction (bowel obstruction) include:
- Nausea and vomiting, which can be bile-filled in the case of small bowel obstruction 2
- Abdominal pain, which can range from mild to severe 3, 2, 4, 5, 6
- Constipation or obstipation (inability to pass gas or stool) 3, 2, 5, 6
- Abdominal distention (swelling) and tympany (a drum-like sound when the abdomen is tapped) 2, 5
- High-pitched bowel sounds 5
- Failure to pass bowel movements or gas 5
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) in some cases, depending on the level of obstruction 5
- Bloating 6
Specific Symptoms by Obstruction Type
- Small bowel obstruction: nausea and vomiting of bile, abdominal distention, and obstipation 2
- Malignant bowel obstruction: nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and constipation 3
- Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie syndrome): abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and an inability to pass gas or stool 6