Skip navigation
MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You U.S. National Library of MedicineNational Institutes of Health
Contact Us FAQs Site Map About MedlinePlus
español Home Health Topics Drugs & Supplements Medical Encyclopedia Dictionary News Directories Other Resources
Printer-friendly versionEmail this page to a friend

Intestinal or bowel obstruction - discharge

You were in the hospital for treatment of an obstruction (blockage) in your bowel (intestine). While in the hospital, you received intravenous fluids. You also may have had a tube placed through your nose and into your stomach. You may have received antibiotics.

If you did not have surgery, your doctor and nurses slowly began to give you liquids, and then food.

If you needed surgery, you may have had part of your large intestine or small intestine removed. Your surgeon may have been able to sew the healthy ends of your intestines back together. You may also have had ileostomy or a colostomy placed.

If a tumor or cancer caused the blockage in your intestine, the surgeon may have removed it. Or, it may have been bypassed by routing your intestine around it.

What to Expect at Home

If you had surgery, the outcome is usually good if the obstruction is treated before tissue damage or tissue death occurs in the bowel. Some people may have more bowel obstruction in the future.

If you did not have surgery, your symptoms may be completely gone. But you may still have some pain, and your stomach may still feel upset. There is a chance your intestine may become blocked again.

Self-care

Be sure to follow your doctor’s or nurse's advice about diet.

Eat small amounts of food 5 to 8 times a day, instead of 3 bigger meals.

Some foods may cause gas, loose stools, or constipation when you are recovering. Avoid the foods that cause these problems.

If you become sick to your stomach or have diarrhea, try only drinking clear fluids for a while and hold off on food.

When to Call the Doctor

Call your doctor or nurse if you have:

Alternative Names

Repair of volvulus - discharge; Reduction of intussusception - discharge

References

Turnage RH, Heldmann M, Cole P. Intestinal obstruction and illeus. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2006:chap 116.

Update Date: 1/26/2009

Updated by: Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.


A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.


A.D.A.M. Logo