A large bowel obstruction is a blockage of the large intestine (also called the colon or large bowel). The blockage makes it hard for the contents of the colon to pass through and out of the body.
Common causes of a blockage are:
The symptoms include:
If the obstruction is only partly blocking the intestine, you may feel temporary relief when liquid stool or gas passes out of the body.
Your healthcare provider can usually tell if you have a blockage from your symptoms, medical history, and results of a physical exam. However, you may have the following tests to confirm the diagnosis:
Your healthcare provider will give you fluid through a vein in your arm (IV) to keep your body's fluid balance normal. An X-ray of your colon will probably be taken. You will probably have a tube inserted through your nose or throat and down into your stomach to drain fluid and gas trapped behind the blockage. Sometimes a tube inserted into the rectum can temporarily relieve bowel gas and obstruction. You may be given antibiotics and other medicines.
If the blockage is just a hard lump of stool near the anus (fecal impaction), your provider may be able to remove it with an enema or a gloved finger. This usually requires several enemas and may be very uncomfortable.
You may need to have surgery to learn the type and cause of the blockage. If the blockage is caused by cancer, the cancerous part of the colon will be removed. If the obstruction is caused by a twist in the intestine, the surgeon may remove the part of the intestine with the twist, or straighten it out and tack it down so it cannot twist again. If the twisted part has had the blood supply blocked by the twist, it may need to be removed. The surgeon may then rejoin the ends of the intestine. Often a colostomy is needed when the colon is filled with stool. A colostomy is a surgical procedure in which the surgeon makes an opening in the abdominal wall and brings the end of colon to the outside. Bowel movement will then leave your body through this new opening. It will be collected in a disposable bag. In most cases the colostomy is temporary and can be reversed later.
Your symptoms will last as long as you have the blockage. If the obstruction is not treated, it can become a life-threatening medical emergency.
Exercise daily and eat a diet high in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol. Drinking plenty of water helps your intestines to function normally. If you are not used to high-fiber diets, begin slowly.
If you see blood in your stool or have a change in bowel habits, call your healthcare provider and discuss the changes. Your provider may recommend a colonoscopy to check your colon.
If you are 50 or older, you should have colorectal cancer screening with a test for blood in the stool and a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or barium enema. You may need to start colorectal cancer screening earlier if a member of your immediate family has had colon polyps or colon cancer, especially if their cancer occurred before they were 50 years old.
