healthline.com
Intestinal Blockage Caused by Crohn’s Disease
Bowel obstruction is a potentially serious complication of Crohn’s disease that may need urgent treatment. The article summarizes common causes (strictures, adhesions, tumors), typical symptoms to watch for, and the range of medical and surgical treatments used.
Adults with Crohn’s disease, caregivers of people with Crohn’s, and clinicians managing strictures or bowel-obstruction risk.
What To Know
What to know This Healthline article explains that Crohn’s-related chronic inflammation can narrow the intestines (strictures) or cause adhesions, tumors, and other problems that lead to partial or complete bowel obstruction.
It describes typical warning signs (crampy abdominal pain, bloating, nausea), urgent features that need immediate care, and treatment options ranging from bowel rest and nasogastric (NG) tube decompression to endoscopic balloon dilation, steroids, and surgery (resection or strictureplasty).
The piece outlines when endoscopic balloon dilation may be used and when surgery is considered, including resection and strictureplasty, and notes rare complications like necrosis or perforation requiring emergency surgery.
It also discusses adhesions after abdominal surgery, and that some tumors or cancer-related growths can cause obstruction and typically require surgery. If you have Crohn’s and new severe abdominal pain, vomiting, or inability to pass stool or gas, the article emphasizes seeking urgent medical evaluation rather than trying home remedies.
This is a patient-education overview from Healthline summarizing common causes, symptoms, and treatments for intestinal obstruction in Crohn’s. It is not a clinical guideline or original research; individual care depends on clinical evaluation and imaging. Immediate medical attention is required for suspected complete obstruction or signs of bowel necrosis or perforation.
