http://www.rush.edu/worldbook/articles/009000a/009000088.html
Intestinal obstruction (in tes"t* n*l *b struk"sh*n) is a complete or partial blockage of the intestine. It may occur at any time and for a variety of reasons. An intestinal obstruction interferes with the normal passage of the products of digestion through the digestive system. Q: What are the symptoms of an intestinal obstruction?
A: The first symptom is usually abdominal pain, followed by swelling (distention) of the abdomen. The swelling is more marked if the obstruction occurs in the lower parts of the intestine. There may also be constipation and failure to pass internal gas. Vomiting may occur, although not for some hours after the initial symptoms, unless the obstruction is in the small intestine.
Q: What causes an intestinal obstruction?
A: There are various conditions that may cause an intestinal obstruction. Some are comparatively simple to treat, such as an accumulation of hard feces or infestation with parasitic worms. Others are more serious, such as tumors, a strangulated hernia, or intestinal adhesions.
Q: How is an intestinal obstruction treated?
A: The treatment depends on the cause of the obstruction. If the large intestine is obstructed and the symptoms are not severe, there may be time for various tests, such as sigmoidoscopy and X-ray examination following a barium enema. If the symptoms are acute, an urgent surgical operation is required.
Surgery is not always necessary, but other treatments are given only if the cause is comparatively simple to treat or if the intestine can overcome the obstruction without the need for surgery. For example, if the obstruction is caused by the twisting of the intestine around an adhesion or a scar, it may untwist on its own without treatment. In all such cases the stomach is kept empty by sucking fluid up a gastric tube, and intravenous fluids are continued until it is certain that either the obstruction has disappeared or that surgery is necessary.
See also ADHESION; CROHN'S DISEASE; DIVERTICULITIS; DIVERTICULOSIS; DIVERTICULUM, MECKEL'S; HERNIA; HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE; INTUSSUSCEPTION; SIGMOIDOSCOPY, FLEXIBLE; VOLVULUS.