Signs and Symptoms of Bowel Obstruction

Bowel obstruction is a partial or complete blockage in the small intestine or large intestine (colon). The part of the intestine above the obstruction functions normally, while the area with the blockage enlarges as it fills with a buildup of food, fluids, gas, and stool. This leads to symptoms such as abdominal pain, constipation, vomiting, bloating, or the inability to pass gas.

The onset of symptoms can vary, depending on the type of obstruction. You may notice mild abdominal discomfort that comes and goes, gradually intensifying over time, or you may experience severe symptoms that develop suddenly.

Untreated bowel obstruction can lead to serious illness, including intestinal perforation, bowel necrosis (tissue death), and life-threatening infection. Understanding the symptoms can help you recognize when to seek medical attention and improve your chances of full recovery.  

Common Symptoms 

Bowel obstruction symptoms may vary in intensity and duration depending on the type and location of the obstruction. All bowel obstructions share common symptoms, including:

• Abdominal pain: Pain caused by bowel obstruction often feels like sharp, stabbing pains or intense cramping.
• Bloating: An obstruction restricts the normal flow of intestinal contents, causing gas, fluids, food, and stool to accumulate in the blocked section of the intestine. This can lead to bloating and a feeling of fullness in your abdomen.
• Changes in bowel habits: Bowel movement symptoms may include constipation, diarrhea, or both. 
  

Small Intestine Obstruction Symptoms 

The small intestine helps break down and absorb nutrients from food, moving it along the digestive tract to your large intestine. When your small intestine is obstructed, foods and gastric juices cannot adequately move through the digestive tract. This leads to symptoms like:

• Crampy abdominal pain that may radiate across the upper to mid-abdominal region 
• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Restlessness
• Dehydration 
• Rapid heart rate
• Loud gurgling or rumbling sounds in your abdomen 
• Diarrhea 

Large Intestine Obstruction Symptoms 

The colon's primary function is to absorb water and electrolytes from stool, forming it into a more solid consistency before it passes through the rectum and anus. Symptoms of a large intestine bowel obstruction may include:

• Severe lower abdominal pain 
• Fever
• A feeling of pressure or heaviness in the lower abdomen 
• Constipation or the complete inability to have a bowel movement
• Inability to pass gas 
• Bloating or abdominal distention (swelling) 
• Loud, high-pitched abdominal sounds 

Partial vs. Complete Bowel Obstruction Symptoms 

Symptoms of partial bowel obstruction and complete bowel obstruction are similar, but they might differ in their development and severity.

Partial Bowel Obstruction Symptoms 

Symptoms of a partial bowel obstruction may come and go for days or weeks and usually worsen over time until they're treated. Partial bowel obstructions may cause:

• Diarrhea 
• Excessive flatulence (gas) 
• Colicky abdominal pain (severe, intermittent cramping) 

Complete Bowel Obstruction Symptoms 

Complete bowel obstruction is a medical emergency that requires immediate medical care and treatment to prevent complications. With complete obstruction, nothing can pass through the obstruction. This usually results in a sudden onset of severe symptoms, such as:

• Severe, sudden abdominal pain 
• Inability to pass gas or stool
• Loss of appetite 

Symptoms in Children

Bowel obstruction is more common in adults, but it can also affect infants and children. For infants and children up to 3 years old, bowel obstruction most frequently occurs when one portion of the intestine slides into the next portion. This is called intussusception, which restricts the flow of fluids and food through the digestive tract.

Sudden, loud crying due to severe abdominal pain is often the first sign of intussusception in children. They might cry loudly and inconsolably because they can't verbalize their symptoms. Infants or children may also draw their knees up to their chest to relieve sharp abdominal pain and cramping.

Other signs of bowel obstruction in infants and children include:

• Distended abdomen 
• Vomiting, which might be green from bile
  
• Change in bowel movements, like diarrhea or constipation
  
• Symptoms of shock, including clammy and pale skin
• Loss of appetite
• Irritability 
  

Later symptoms include:

• Mucus or blood (or both) in the stool, also known as "jelly stool"
• Rectal bleeding
• Lethargy
  

Pain comes and goes because it happens whether or not the bowel is contracting.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider 

Knowing whether an obstruction or another gastrointestinal issue is causing your symptoms can be challenging. Contact a healthcare provider if you or someone you know experiences symptoms like persistent abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, or changes in bowel habits. They could be a sign of possible bowel instruction or other digestive conditions that require medical attention. 

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain 
• Unrelenting vomiting
• Abdominal distension 
• Inability to pass gas or stool 
• Signs of dehydration 
  

These symptoms may signal a complete bowel obstruction or other serious complications that require emergency medical evaluation and treatment.

A Quick Review 

Bowel obstruction occurs when the normal flow of digestive contents in the small or large intestine is partially or entirely blocked. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and changes in bowel habits. Symptoms may develop suddenly or gradually and can vary based on the location and severity of the obstruction.

See a healthcare provider if you have possible symptoms of bowel obstruction. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and promote recovery.