Bowel obstruction is a blockage in the small or large intestine that prevents food, gas, and fluids from moving through the digestive tract. This condition can become serious if not diagnosed and treated promptly, often requiring imaging such as abdominal X-rays or CT scans to confirm and guide care.
Symptoms vary but often include:
Several factors can lead to a bowel obstruction:
With a focus on patient-centered care and comprehensive digestive health solutions, GastroDoxs provides expert diagnostics and effective treatment for bowel obstruction and related conditions. Our approach is rooted in compassionate, personalized care to help you recover quickly and get back to feeling your best. Call GastroDoxs in Katy today at 832-632-4070 or request an appointment online. Early evaluation leads to better outcomes-schedule your visit now and take the first step toward relief.
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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.
An NG (nasogastric) tube helps drain fluid and air from the stomach and upper intestine. This relieves pressure, reduces nausea and vomiting, and may help the obstruction resolve without surgery.
Fasting rests the intestines, preventing additional contents from accumulating. This reduces distension and vomiting, giving the bowel time to heal or making surgery safer if needed.
A thin, flexible tube is passed through the nose into the stomach. It continuously removes swallowed air, gastric secretions, and intestinal fluids, lowering pressure and discomfort until the obstruction improves.
In nursing care, a bowel obstruction diagnosis is a standardized statement-such as "acute pain," "risk for fluid volume deficit," or "ineffective bowel elimination"-that guides assessment, monitoring, and interventions.
CT imaging reveals dilated loops of intestine, collapsed segments beyond the blockage, and the precise transition point. This helps physicians confirm the site, type, and severity of the obstruction.
Yes. Partial or mild obstructions often resolve with bowel rest (no food or drink), IV fluids, electrolyte management, and NG tube decompression. Complete or persistent blockages typically require surgery.
The NG tube usually remains in place for 3 to 7 days, depending on how quickly symptoms improve and how much fluid and gas must be drained to relieve pressure.
Surgical treatment involves removing the blocked section of intestine or creating a bypass around it. The surgeon may resect diseased tissue and reconnect healthy bowel segments to restore normal flow.
The ICD-10 code for large bowel obstruction is K56.5. This code is used for billing, documentation, and ensuring accurate treatment records.
Bowel obstruction can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloating. If untreated, it may lead to dehydration, tissue death, or perforation. Prompt medical care usually controls pain and reduces risks.
