A bowel obstruction occurs when something blocks part of your small or large intestine, preventing the normal passage of digested food, liquid, and gas. The blockage can be partial or complete. If not treated promptly, it may lead to serious complications such as infection, tissue damage, or perforation.
Symptoms depend on where the obstruction is and how severe it becomes. The most frequent signs include:
Various conditions can trigger a bowel obstruction by narrowing or blocking the intestinal tract:
With a focus on patient-centered care and comprehensive digestive health solutions, GastroDoxs provides expert diagnostics and effective treatment for bowel obstruction. Ready to get relief? Book an appointment with our Cypress specialists today and take the first step toward restoring your digestive health and comfort.
We've successfully treated more than 464 patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
A nursing diagnosis for small bowel obstruction focuses on managing pain, monitoring fluid balance, and preventing infection through regular assessments and interventions.
The ICD-10 code for small bowel obstruction is K56.6, which falls under the classification of intestinal obstruction without hernia.
The pathology of small bowel obstruction involves tissue changes such as inflammation, scarring (adhesions), or compromised blood flow (ischemia) in the affected segment of the intestine.
Doctors diagnose bowel obstruction using a combination of physical examination, blood tests to check for dehydration or infection, and imaging studies like abdominal X-rays or CT scans to identify blockages.
On an abdominal X-ray, a bowel obstruction may present as multiple air-fluid levels, dilated loops of intestine, and absence of gas in the distal bowel.
Constipation typically causes mild discomfort and infrequent bowel movements, whereas a bowel obstruction leads to severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, abdominal distension, and inability to pass gas.
Some bowel obstructions can be prevented by maintaining a high-fiber diet, staying physically active, and following post-operative care guidelines to reduce the risk of adhesions after abdominal surgery.
In dogs, signs of bowel obstruction include loss of appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, a tense or swollen abdomen, and lethargy, all of which require immediate veterinary attention.
You should see a gastroenterologist in Cypress if you experience ongoing abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, inability to pass stool or gas for more than 24 hours, or signs of dehydration.
Treatments for bowel obstruction range from conservative management-such as bowel rest, IV fluids, and nasogastric tube decompression-to surgical intervention for severe or non-resolving cases.
