“When you have an intestinal blockage, you’ll know.” That was the response my surgeon gave me right after stoma surgery, when I asked him what a blockage felt like and if I had to be concerned. It wasn’t a very specific answer, but he was very right.
Allow me to elaborate a bit on my surgeon’s answer. Or click the button below to watch my video on how to help clear an intestinal blockage:
What is an intestinal blockage?
A blockage, also known as a bowel obstruction, is when the bowel becomes obstructed and the passing of some or all intestinal output is prevented.
What causes an intestinal blockage?
A blockage is usually caused by food, inflammation, intestinal twisting or adhesions (scar tissue).
How can I prevent an intestinal blockage?
Some tips to prevent a food-induced blockage are to always stay hydrated, chew well, drink a lot of fluids after meals, and avoid hard-to-digest foods (like corn and mushrooms).
What are the symptoms of an intestinal blockage?
- Very small amounts or a complete lack of output
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal swelling
- Swollen stoma
What can I do if I have an intestinal blockage?
Some lesser blockages can be resolved with home remedies, but always call your doctor first for instructions. If you cannot reach your doctor, go to the emergency room.
Sometimes your doctor will advise you to try to pass the blockage at home first. Some ways you can treat a blockage at home are:
- Walking aids in digestion.
- Drink a lot of fluids, including grape juice and hot tea. Carbonated beverages can also help.
- Take a hot bath or use a heating pad on your abdomen. This will relax your muscles and sometimes allows the blockage to pass.
- Gently massage around your stoma to encourage the blockage to work its way out.
- Check to see if your stoma is swollen. If it is, replace your pouching system and cut a bigger hole in your wafer.
- Try different positions, like lying on your side, or putting your bottom up in the air and your head on your forearms.
- If you get blockages a lot, your doctor may send you home with a sterile rubber catheter to self-catheterize your stoma. Only do so if you are directed by a doctor.
- If none of these treatments resolve your blockage, call your doctor back and wait for further instructions.
What can I expect when I get to the hospital?
The types of treatments and procedures you may (or may not) experience are:
- NPO (Nil per os) – this means you are not allowed to eat or drink anything. This is because you cannot pass any food or beverage consumed. NPO is used to try to prevent too much vomiting.
- Fluids – you will be given fluids via IV to hydrate you.
- NG Tube – Nasogastric tubes are used to relieve pressure in the abdomen and prevent vomiting.
- Catheter insertion into the stoma- sometimes a catheter is inserted into the stoma to open up the passageway and hopefully resolve the blockage. This sounds painful, but usually just feels like a bit of pressure. The physicians may put water through the stoma to try to flush out the blockage.
- Abdominal X-ray or CT scan- this allows the doctors to further understand what is causing the blockage.
- Monitoring urine – they will monitor your urine to make sure you’re not too dehydrated.
- In very severe cases, surgery may be required, but many blockages can be passed without surgical intervention.
What is the recovery like?
I was pleasantly surprised after being discharged from the hospital after my first serious blockage had passed. The experience was painful, but the recovery time was much quicker than I had experienced with other hospital visits. Once the blockage passes, your body generally bounces back very quickly. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions about diet, exercise and follow up appointments.
For more information, see related ostomy issue articles and ostomy resources here:
- Abdominal Adhesions
- Overview of the GI Tract Before and After Ostomy Surgery
- Peristomal Hernia | Ask Laura
Shield HealthCare | Medical Supplies For Care At Home Since 1957
