A bowel obstruction is a medical emergency, and it can be hard to tell on your own, so err on the side of getting urgent care if you are worried. The key warning signs are severe belly pain plus major changes in your bowel movements or gas.
Main warning signs
- Moderate to severe cramping or constant abdominal pain, often around the belly button or lower abdomen, that does not go away or keeps coming in waves.
- A hard, swollen, or very bloated belly along with feeling very full or tight.
- Little to no stool coming out and an inability to pass gas, especially if this is a sudden change from your normal.
Other common symptoms
- Nausea and repeated vomiting (sometimes green or yellow from bile), especially if it happens together with bad abdominal pain and no bowel movements.
- Loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, or not wanting to eat at all because of discomfort.
- Sometimes diarrhea can occur with a partial obstruction, but it often comes with bloating and cramping and then reduced output afterward.
Red-flag signs to seek emergency help
- Severe, worsening, or constant abdominal pain, especially with a tight, very tender, or sharply distended belly.
- Inability to pass any stool or gas for many hours along with pain and bloating.
- Vomiting that will not stop, fever, feeling very weak, dizzy, or signs of dehydration like dry mouth and little urine.
How doctors check for it
- Physical exam of your abdomen (looking for swelling, tenderness, abnormal sounds), plus questions about your symptoms and any prior surgeries or conditions.
- Imaging such as abdominal X-ray or CT scan, and sometimes blood tests, to confirm if there is a blockage and how severe it is.
What you should do right now
- If you currently have severe belly pain, a very swollen hard abdomen, ongoing vomiting, or cannot pass gas or stool, go to an emergency department or call emergency services immediately.
- If your symptoms are milder but you are worried about possible obstruction, contact your doctor or an urgent care service the same day for advice; do not self-treat with laxatives if obstruction is a concern.
This is general information and not a diagnosis; if you can, describe exactly what you are feeling (pain location, last bowel movement, gas, vomiting) and local services can guide you on how urgent it is.
