What are the signs and symptoms of a bowel obstruction?
Your caregiver will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. He will ask if you have had bowel surgery or a bowel disease. He will also ask if you have noticed changes in your bowel habits. He may ask you if you have lost a lot of weight recently. Your caregiver may check if you have lost a lot of body fluid. You may also need any of the following: • Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once. • Digital rectal exam (DRE): During a DRE, your caregiver will put a gloved finger inside your anus to feel for lumps in your rectum. Your rectum is the lower part of your bowel just behind your anus. He will use lubrication, which is a gel-like substance that helps his finger gently enter your anus. He may remove a sample of
