An intestinal obstruction, or fecal blockage, is a large, hard lump of stool that gets stuck in the rectum (the lowest part of the large intestine, or colon). It prevents a bowel movement.
Blocked bowel symptoms are usually caused by long-term constipation and often present with symptoms such as cramps or abdominal distension.
Experiencing bowel obstructions is more common in people with chronic constipation, with an estimated 12% of American adults experiencing them. Treatment options such as enemas, laxatives, or manual removal of the lump of stool can usually completely resolve the condition. Early treatment can reduce the risk of complications.
If your intestines become blocked, a number of symptoms may occur. This may include:
- expansion: This may include a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, noticeable swelling, and general discomfort.
- convulsion: Painful cramps may occupy more than half of the abdomen and may become increasingly severe.
- diarrhea: During long-term constipation, you may suddenly develop watery diarrhea. This happens when hard stools eventually stretch and weaken the rectal muscles, causing watery stool and other accumulated stools to leak out.
- Rectal bleeding: You may see blood when you use the toilet. Straining to pass hard stool can tear the skin inside the anus, causing bleeding.
If you are able to pass stool uncontrollably, your stool may appear small and half-formed, which is a sign of constipation. The shape and consistency of healthy stool is usually smooth, soft, and sausage- or snake-shaped.
A blocked bowel usually occurs when there is long-term constipation. Chronic (long-term) constipation has several underlying causes.
diet
Diet plays a big role in maintaining regular bowel movements. If you do not consume enough fiber each day or eat a high-fat diet, you are more likely to suffer from chronic constipation, which can potentially lead to bowel obstruction. Dehydration and dehydration can also lead to dry, hard stools.
Lifestyle factors
Other causes of chronic constipation include lifestyle factors.
For example, older adults and those living in care facilities are more likely to experience bowel obstructions due to lack of regular exercise and a sedentary lifestyle. In this situation, the abdominal muscles become weak, slowing the passage of stool through the digestive tract.
Frequent travel can cause irregular bowel movements, and ignoring the urge to go to the bathroom can also cause stool blockages.
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Certain health conditions are known to cause chronic constipation and increase the risk of bowel obstruction. The following conditions can interfere with normal bowel movements and, over time, can lead to bowel obstruction:
- Renal failure
- Neurological (brain-related) disorders including dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD).
- spinal cord injury
- Thyroid disease
Drug side effects
Many medications have constipation as a side effect because they slow down the movement of the digestive tract. Long-term use of certain medications can cause bowel obstruction.
These drugs include:
- Anticholinergics (treat conditions such as gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders that can affect nerve signals to the intestinal muscles)
- Anticonvulsants (for treating and preventing seizures)
- Antacids containing aluminum and calcium
- Anti-diarrheal medication
- Calcium channel blocker (lowers blood pressure)
- Diuretics (helps remove excess water and salt from the body)
- Iron supplements
- opioid
It may seem counterintuitive, but laxatives can also have this effect, as taking them too often can prevent your body from remembering how to have a normal bowel movement.
If you have chronic constipation that lasts for several days, a week, or longer, ask your healthcare provider for help.
Bowel obstructions are common in older adults and people with certain health conditions, but having infrequent bowel movements can increase your risk.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, tell your healthcare provider:
- Diarrhea due to long-term constipation
- Abdominal pain and abdominal distension
- There is blood in my stool.
- Abdominal cramps and sudden constipation with inability to pass gas or stool
- Thin pencil shaped chair
Your provider will examine your stomach and rectum to check for stool lumps and recommend a course of treatment. If your bowel habits have changed recently or suddenly, they may refer you to a gastroenterologist (a doctor who specializes in the digestive system) for a colonoscopy. Although rare, this can indicate colon or rectal cancer.
The primary goal of treating an intestinal obstruction is to remove the trapped stool mass. This can be done in several ways.
- Manual shock removal: Your healthcare provider may insert one or two gloved fingers into your rectum to manually break up the stool lump. Lubricants or suction devices may help make this process easier.
- enema: Instilling a liquid containing a mineral solution into the rectum can help stimulate and cleanse the colon.
- Oral laxatives: Oral laxatives, such as Dulcolax (bisacodyl) and MiraLax (polyethylene glycol), come in tablet or powder form. When taken by mouth, these medications stimulate the passage of stool bulk.
- suppository: Over-the-counter (OTC) glycerin or bisacodyl suppositories are inserted into the rectum. This softens the stool and eventually causes it to be evacuated.
Surgery for a blocked bowel is rare and usually only necessary when the bowel is completely blocked.
Using prevention tips can help reduce your risk of bowel obstruction.
For example, drinking plenty of water and including fiber-rich foods in your diet can help with digestion, which can improve bowel movement frequency.
If possible, regular exercise is another key preventive factor. Studies have shown that physical activity helps keep the digestive tract moving.
Talk to your healthcare provider about whether you should continue taking medications that may be affecting your constipation, such as opioids (prescription pain relievers) or anticholinergics (medications used to treat conditions such as depression, Parkinson's disease, or muscle spasms). If you have severe constipation, your healthcare provider may want to adjust your dose or consider an alternative medication.
Appropriate treatment for obstructed bowel is usually successful.If left untreated, a blocked bowel can lead to serious (though rare) health complications. These include:
- Intestinal ulcer: Ulcers that develop in the lining of the colon
- Workplace tissue damage: It may appear as if there are small tears or trauma to the tissue covering the anus.
- Fecal incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements
You can avoid complications of blocked bowel by taking steps to prevent constipation. You may want to keep this in mind especially if you:
- Are elderly or live in a nursing home
- If you have a neurological condition such as dementia, AD or PD
- Take medication that causes constipation as a side effect.
- Use laxatives frequently
- If you have a structural or functional gastrointestinal (GI) disease
Bowel obstruction, or fecal blockage, is a lump of stool stuck in the digestive tract. It is usually caused by long-term constipation. Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, and stool leakage.
Your health care provider can diagnose this condition and treat it with manual deblocking, enemas, or laxatives.