Can bowel obstructions be fatal?

There are many potential causes of intestinal obstruction. Often, this condition can’t be prevented. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. An untreated intestinal obstruction can be fatal.

Can a bowel obstruction get worse?

Chronic bowel obstructions keep getting worse over time. Patients who have advanced cancer may have chronic bowel obstructions that cannot be removed with surgery. The intestine may be blocked or narrowed in more than one place or the tumor may be too large to remove completely.

Can you become septic from a bowel obstruction?

If the blockage is not diagnosed or treated right away, it can lead to dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, vomiting, respiratory problems, aspiration, bowel ischemia or lack of blood and oxygen to the intestine, bowel death, perforation, sepsis and even death.

What is a primary complication of a bowel obstruction?

A bowel obstruction, whether partial or complete, can lead to serious and life threatening conditions if left untreated. The intestine can get swollen from the trapped air, fluid, and food. This swelling can make the intestine less able to absorb fluid. This leads to dehydration and kidney failure.

Can you get sepsis from a bowel blockage?

What is the prognosis for small bowel obstruction?

With proper diagnosis and treatment of the obstruction, prognosis in small-bowel obstruction (SBO) is good. Complete obstructions treated successfully nonoperatively have a higher incidence of recurrence than do those treated surgically.

What is the most common complication which a patient with a small bowel obstruction might experience?

Potential Complications from a bowel obstruction This leads to dehydration and kidney failure. Nausea and vomiting will also cause dehydration. Excess swelling of the intestine can cause the intestine to rupture or burst. A ruptured intestine can lead to peritonitis, or a severe infection in the abdominal cavity.