Bowel Obstruction Essay

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Bowel Obstruction A bowel obstruction happens when either your small or large intestine is partly or completely blocked. The blockage prevents food, fluids, and gas from moving through the intestines in the normal way, the blockage may cause severe pain that comes and goes. Bowel obstruction covers a blockage caused by tumors, scar tissue, or twisting or narrowing of the intestines. It does not cover ileus, which most commonly happens after surgery on the belly (abdominal surgery). Tumors, scar tissue (adhesions), or twisting or narrowing of the intestines can cause a bowel obstruction. In the small intestine, scar tissue is most often the cause. Other causes include hernias and Crohn's disease, which can twist or narrow the intestine, and tumors, which can block the intestine. In the large intestine, cancer is most often the cause. Other causes are severe constipation from a hard mass of stool, and narrowing of the intestine caused by diverticulitis or inflammatory bowel disease. The Symptoms Bowel Obstruction is: Cramping and belly pain that comes and goes. The pain can occur around or below the belly button, Vomiting, Bloating, Constipation and a lack of gas, if the intestine is completely blocked, and Diarrhea, if the intestine is partly blocked. Ostomy Care Ostomy is a surgically created opening, the opening is called a stoma. The person wears a pouch over the stoma to collect feces and flatus. Sometimes part of the intestines is removed surgically. Cancer, bowel disease, and trauma are common reasons. You may also irrigate a colostomy, which helps you control when you eliminate waste. The pouch is emptied when feces are present Caring for your ostomy is an important part of maintaining your quality of life. You will need to: * Empty your pouch as needed. * Replace your pouching system as needed (usually every 3 to 7 days). This may

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