Home

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Erectile Dysfunction

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Doctor123.org

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Mechanical Bowel Obstruction Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Normally, your bowels are shaped like a long hollow tube. Food passes through this tube as it is digested. Sometimes, there is something that blocks the bowel. It may be blocked part way or all of the way. This obstruction may cause a buildup of stool and other digested food inside the bowel. This may cause serious problems if not treated right away. Treatment for a bowel obstruction will depend on what the cause is. ‚  


View OriginalView Original

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
  • If you had surgery:
    • Clean the site with warm water and soap. Be sure to rinse very well and dry it off.
    • Change the bandage as ordered by your doctor. Keep it clean and dry.
    • Change the bandage if it becomes wet, loose, or dirty. Avoid doing activities that make you too tired.
    • Do not lift anything that is too heavy that makes you strain your arms or stomach area. The doctor will tell you what is too heavy for you to lift when you first go home.
    • Ask your doctor when it is safe to take a bath or shower.
    • Ask your doctor when you can return to your daily activities.
  • Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
  • If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.
  • Your doctor may order extra tests to see how well you are doing.
  • If this condition was caused by cancer, your doctor may tell you to have other treatments for the cancer.

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Fight an infection
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Help with nausea and throwing up
  • Replace fluids
  • Help you have bowel movements
  • Soften stools

Will physical activity be limited?


Physical activity may be limited if you are having pain. Ask your doctor what activities are right for you. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Ask your doctor or dietitian for a diet plan. Your doctor may suggest a liquid or soft diet until your bowel is stable and is ready for regular food. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids each day. Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and caffeine. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Jaundice or yellowing of the skin and eyes
  • Infection
  • Hard stools
  • Problems with the amount of fluids in your body
  • Tear or hole in the small bowel
  • Death of bowel tissue

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Not able to pass stools or gas
  • Very upset stomach or throwing up
  • Very bad belly pain
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my procedure.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever or swelling, redness, or warmth around my wound.

Where can I learn more?


National Cancer Institute ‚  
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/gastrointestinalcomplications/HealthProfessional/page4 ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

Copyright


Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚  
Copyright © 2016 - 2017
Doctor123.org | Disclaimer