Bowel obstructions

Intestinal, or bowel, obstruction is a blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through your small or large intestine, or colon. Causes may include fibrous bands of tissue, or adhesions, in the abdomen that form after surgery, hernias, an inflamed intestine (or Crohn's disease), infected pouches in your intestine (or diverticulitis) and colon cancer.

Without treatment, intestinal blockage can lead to serious issues. However, with prompt medical care, bowel obstruction can be treated successfully.