A Blockage occurs when stool or vegetable matter plugs up causes a bowel obstruction, usually near the stoma.

About one in ten patients with Ostomies will develop a bowel blockage at some point. In spite of the extreme

pain and thinking you are going to die these usually go away on their own and rarely.

“This site was build by Ostomates for Ostomates and any information in these pages is not meant to take the place of any medical professional and is shared only from other Ostomates.”

• Stop eating solid food, increase clear liquid diet
• A heating pad placed on your abdomen might help ease the cramping. A hot bath is often helpful
• Stop taking any anti-diarrhea medication
• Check the stoma. If it is swelling, remove the pouch and make sure the wafer is large enough so that it doesn’t cut into the bowel. No skin should be showing.
• If you don’t see any swelling, try to lie down and relax
• Do not hesitate to call your doctor

Blockages - Why they Occur

• Not chewing food sufficiently
• Eating too much fibrous food in combination with biding food (like peanut butter and celery sticks)
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Scar tissue in the abdomen causing a “kink” in the bowel

Blockages - Symptoms

• Severe Abdominal Pain
• Nauseated or have Abdominal Cramp
• Decreased stoma output or an increased volume of clear watery stool, or No output at all
• Abdominal distention, abdominal pain and vomiting
• The stoma may become noticeably swollen
• Dry mouth, decrease in urination