Health Report

Intestinal obstruction - Diagnosis and treatment Diagnosis Tests and procedures used to diagnose intestinal obstruction include: Physical exam. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. He or she will also do a physical exam to assess your situation. The doctor may suspect intestinal obstruction if your abdomen is swollen or tender or if there's a lump in your abdomen. He or she may listen for bowel sounds with a stethoscope. X-ray. To confirm a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction, your doctor may recommend an abdominal X-ray. However, some intestinal obstructions can't be seen using standard X-rays. Computerized tomography (CT). A CT scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional images. These images are more detailed than a standard X-ray, and are more likely to show an intestinal o...

I Large Bowel (Intestinal) Obstruction A large bowel obstruction is a medical emergency. It occurs when a tumor, scar tissue or something else blocks the large intestine. Gas and stool build up, and the intestine may rupture. Some bowel obstructions improve with minimal treatment in the hospital. Some people need surgery. Symptoms and Causes Diagnosis and Tests Management and Treatment Prevention Outlook / Prognosis Living With Overview What is a large bowel (intestinal) obstruction? A large bowel (large intestine) obstruction is a blockage that keeps gas or stool from passing through the body. An intestinal blockage can occur anywhere in the large intestine. The large bowel obstruction may block the bowel completely or partially. A blocked intestine may rupture, causing a life-threatening infection. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse n...

Low Hemoglobin: Causes, Signs & Treatment Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells. Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. If you have a condition that affects your body’s ability to make red blood cells, your hemoglobin levels may drop. Low hemoglobin levels may be a symptom of several conditions, including different kinds of anemia and cancer. Overview Possible Causes Care and Treatment When to Call the Doctor Low Hemoglobin Overview Possible Causes Care and Treatment When to Call the Doctor Back To Top Overview What is low hemoglobin? Hemoglobin is a protein in your red blood cells . Your red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Oxygen powers your cells and gives you energy. A low hemoglobin level may be a sign of several conditions, including different kinds of anemia and cancer . What happens whe...