How is a bowel obstruction diagnosed?

Combination: Bowel obstruction is diagnosed using a combination of patient history, physical exam, and scans (x-rays, ct, etc.). Sometimes the physical exam findings are so obvious that scans are not required. Some partial bowel obstructions can be very difficult to diagnose and may elude doctors and patients for months.

Clinically: History, exam and an x-ray are sufficient most of the time. Not that complicated for a well trained doctor to diagnose.