Send to a Friend. How long can someone live with a blocked large intestine? With less fluid, there may be less nausea and abdominal discomfort; A nasogastric tube also known as an NG tube tube inserted through the nose into the stomach may reduce pressure and ease symptoms. The length of time someone can live with an obstruction depends on several factors: Overall strength and condition People who are active and have a fair amount of reserve strength and energy do better than people who are very weak.
Degree of blockage A full blockage is a bigger problem than a partial blockage. With a partial blockage, people usually can sip fluids or take ice chips, which lengthens survival time. Effect of treatments If treatments can decrease the blockage or reduce pressure, then the person may be able to sip fluids or take ice chips, which lengthens survival time. Colon and small intestine The small intestine and colon are components of your digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Intussusception Open pop-up dialog box Close. Intussusception Intussusception is a rare, serious disorder in which one part of the intestine slides inside an adjacent part. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Feldman M, et al. Intestinal obstruction. Elsevier; Accessed Dec. Merck Manual Professional Version. Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse call line if you have any problems.
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Please turn on JavaScript and try again. Important Phone Numbers. When should you call for help? Where can you learn more? Top of the page. Your Care Instructions A bowel blockage, also called an intestinal obstruction, can prevent gas, fluids, or solids from moving through the intestines normally.
A bowel obstruction can begin suddenly or may progress gradually over several weeks or days. Symptoms that often precede a partial or complete bowel obstruction include:. The most common effects of a bowel obstruction include:. A complete bowel obstruction prevents stool and gas from passing through. This situation is known as obstipation. While less common, you can experience overflow diarrhea due to a partial bowel obstruction if a small amount of liquid stool can pass beyond the point of the obstruction.
Because some symptoms of impending bowel obstruction are mild, it can be difficult to know when you need to get medical help. A bowel obstruction can lead to serious problems. A major infection can develop due to buildup of bacteria in the bowels. The symptoms of a bowel perforation include severe pain, abdominal distension, fevers, hypotension low blood pressure , and loss of consciousness. A perforation is a medical emergency that requires immediate surgery.
Obstruction can affect any section of the small or large intestine and can occur near the stomach, close to the anus, or anywhere in between. In a mechanical bowel obstruction, the stool is physically blocked from moving through the intestine. This may be caused by a structural change of the intestines such as twisting , by something inside the intestine preventing stool from passing through, or by tight constriction outside the intestine.
Having had previous abdominal surgery or a history of bowel obstruction increases the chances that you could develop a sudden bowel obstruction. And there are several other causes and risk factors for bowel obstruction. A hernia, such as an inguinal hernia or an epigastric hernia , is a weakness in the abdominal lining that keeps the intestines in place.
A portion of the intestine can become caught in the hole and the intestine can become squeezed and inflamed, preventing the passage of stool and gas. Swelling, cancer such as colon cancer , or infection can grow inside the lumen opening of the intestine, making it difficult for the intestinal contents to pass through. A large, hard stool or an ingested non-food item can become fixed in place, preventing anything from getting past it.
This is a condition that occurs when a section of the bowel slides into itself, shrinking the size of the lumen. Scar tissue, which can develop after trauma, surgery, or radiation therapy, may cause a tight band-like constriction around the intestine. This type of scarring can develop immediately after an intestinal injury or surgery and it can cause obstruction years afterward.
A volvulus is a twist or kink in the intestine, which can occur due to inflexible scar tissue or gastrointestinal GI disease. It may start gradually, with occasional cramping, but then it can worsen quickly, requiring emergency treatment—usually surgery. Sometimes myopathy muscle disease can impair the movement of the intestines, resulting in a collapse of the lumen, abnormal movements, and obstruction.
Rarely, the bowels may become ischemic lose blood supply due to a blood clot. This can happen due to a blood clotting disorder. Crohn's disease , colitis , lupus , irritable bowel disease , and other inflammatory conditions increase the risk of bowel obstruction through several mechanisms, including constipation, inflammation, and swelling. The diagnosis of bowel obstruction is made based on your medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests.
Particularly if you have severe abdominal pain, you need to be evaluated promptly. After a physical examination, you may have urgent diagnostic imaging tests. Depending on the results, your medical team may also recommend an invasive diagnostic test.
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