Treatment
The treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine to help relieve abdominal distention and vomiting.
It may need surgery to relieve the obstruction if the nasogastric tube does not improve symptoms or signs of necrosis.
Expectations (prognosis) Back to Top
The prognosis varies depending on the cause of the obstruction.
Complications
Complications may include or may lead to:
* Electrolyte imbalance
* Infections
Jaundice *
* Gangrene of the bowel
* Perforation (hole) of intestine
If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, the tissue can die, causing infection and gangrene. Risk factors for tissue death include intestinal cancer, Crohn’s disease, and hernia after abdominal surgery.
In newborns, the paralytic ileus that is associated with obstruction of the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is life threatening and can lead to infections in the blood and lungs.
Situations requiring medical assistance
Consult your doctor if there is persistent abdominal distension and if you are unable to remove the stool or gas or if other symptoms of intestinal blockage.
Prevention
Prevention depends on the cause. The treatment of ailments such as tumors and hernias, related to the occlusion may reduce the risk.
Some causes of the occlusion can not be prevented.