What Treatment Is Needed for Intestinal Blockage With Pain, Vomiting, and Difficulty Eating?

Hello,

We understand how uncomfortable and frightening this can be. If you have been told that you have an intestinal blockage and you are having abdominal pain, food getting stuck, and vomiting, please do not try to treat this at home. An intestinal blockage can become serious because food, fluids, and gas may not be able to pass normally through the intestine. It needs urgent medical assessment.

Please go to a hospital emergency department or contact your treating doctor as soon as possible, especially because you are already vomiting.

The doctors examine your abdomen and may advise blood tests and imaging such as an X-ray or CT scan to understand where the blockage is and how severe it is. Depending on the cause and severity, treatment may include IV fluids, medicines, a tube through the nose to empty the stomach, or a procedure or operation if the intestine is completely blocked or complications develop.

What should you eat or drink?

Until a doctor examines you, do not force yourself to eat solid food.

Because you are vomiting and have a suspected blockage, even drinking large amounts of water or other fluids may make the vomiting worse. In some cases of bowel obstruction, doctors temporarily advise not eating or drinking and provide fluids through a vein instead.

Please do not try to push food through the blockage by eating more.

Also avoid:

• Heavy or solid meals

• High-fibre foods such as raw vegetables, salads, nuts and seeds

• Fried or very fatty foods

• Fizzy drinks

• Laxatives or home remedies unless your doctor specifically advises them

Diet changes such as low-fibre or liquid diets may sometimes be used for certain long-term bowel conditions, but they should not be used as a substitute for urgent treatment when an actual blockage is suspected.

What precautions should you take?

• Do not delay hospital evaluation.

• Do not take laxatives on your own.

• Do not take strong pain medicines without medical advice.

• Keep your previous scans, reports and prescriptions with you.

• Tell the doctor about any previous abdominal operation, hernia, cancer treatment or similar blockage in the past.

• If you have been admitted already, follow the hospital team's instructions about eating and drinking.

When is it an emergency?

Please seek emergency care immediately if you have severe or increasing abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, repeated vomiting, fever, weakness or fainting, blood in vomit or stool, or you cannot pass stool or gas. A complete intestinal obstruction can be life-threatening and may require urgent treatment.

Please do not wait for home remedies to work. With pain, food not passing properly and vomiting, getting examined by a doctor urgently is the safest step.

Wishing you and your family good health always.
Warm regards,
Team HexaHealth