A 38-year-old member asked:
What can you do for blocked bowels?
3 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Barry Rosenanswered
General Surgery 36 years experience
Depends on the Cause: Small bowel obstructions are usually due to adhesions from prior surgery, hernias, or tumors. Adhesional obstructions may often get better with bowel rest, but the others usually require surgery. Large bowel obstructions are due to many different causes including colorectal cancers, conditions such as diverticulitis and inflammatory bowel disease, or volvulus (twisting). Rx depends on the cause.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jeffrey Cohenanswered
Colon and Rectal Surgery 31 years experience
See a MD: Blocked bowel generally means obstruction and requires immediate medical attention.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Slade Sucheckianswered
Family Medicine 20 years experience
Seek Help!: See a physician (md or do) immediately. This is a very serious condition.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Crystal Twynham commented
General surgery, Breast Surgery, Cancer Surgery, Bariatric (weight loss) surgery, Endocrine surgery, Minimally invasive surgery 35 years experience
What do you mean by blocked bowels? Do you mean constipation, where you are moving your bowel infrequently? Or do you mean that your abdomen is distended, you have nausea and vomiting, especially of stool-like material, and you are not passing ANY gas or stool? The former requires routine medical care; the latter requires an Emergency Room visit ASAP!!! Good luck!
May 14, 2012
Last updated Feb 18, 2016
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