Come to hospital: A small bowel obstruction usually occurs due to scar tissue from prior abdominal surgery, causing the bowel to kink like a garden hose. If severe, the bowel can die; however, the bowel can (and usually does) unkink itself after a day-or-two of "bowel rest": no food or liquid, IV fluids, and keeping the stomach empty with a ng tube. This requires close monitoring in the hospital.
Answered 12/25/2017
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Depends on the: Cause of sbo. If you had previous surgery, you will have adhesions, and intestines can get caught inside or twist around these. But there are other causes, such as intestinal tumors, that can cause sbo, so you need to see a gastroenterologist or a surgeon who can help you sort things out.
Answered 3/27/2013
5.2k views
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