Strictures and Bowel Obstructions: How to Prevent Them and What to Do if You Can't

A bowel obstruction is when something blocks your small or large intestine, either fully or in part. A stricture happens when your large intestine narrows. It can slow or block your intestines and can lead to a bowel obstruction. Your intestines carry out the work of moving food and waste through and out of your body.

Common causes of bowel obstruction include scar tissue (adhesions), hernias, tumors, colorectal cancer, twisting of the bowel (volvulus), and diverticular disease. Adhesions or hernias can pinch the small intestine closed, while tumors can narrow or block it. In the large intestine, colorectal cancer causes about half of obstructions.

Symptoms that can happen with a bowel obstruction include:

• Off-and-on stomach cramping and pain 
• Not feeling hungry
• Trouble pooping (constipation)
• Throwing up
• Trouble passing gas
• Stomach swelling

Having a bowel obstruction means changing the way you eat. One way is eating small, frequent meals — around six — throughout the day. What you eat depends on your recovery stage. Stages 1 and 2 include only clear or thin liquids. Stage 3 may include smooth or pureed low-fiber foods. 

To fit this into your schedule, plan ahead, choose simple recipes, use ingredients that'll save you time (such as pre-cut or frozen veggies and fruits), batch cook, and prep meals and snacks in advance.

Only eat smooth foods or foods that melt in your mouth. They should fall off a spoon easily and be swallowable with little chewing. 

When you do chew, be sure to slow down and chew each bite until it's soft and paste-like before swallowing. Take smaller bites, chew on both sides of your mouth, and put your utensil down between bites. This helps food mix with saliva, making swallowing and digestion easier.

With a bowel obstruction, avoid foods that are high in fiber, hard to break down, or likely to create bulk. Foods to avoid include:

• Raw fruits and vegetables, especially skins and seeds
• Whole grains and bran cereals
• Nuts, seeds, and chunky nut butters
• Dried fruit
• Bread and baked items like muffins 
• Popcorn and coconut
• Tough or gristly meats

After a complete bowel blockage, or if obstruction symptoms return, stick to clear fluids such as:

• Water
• Black tea
• Black coffee
• Clear juice
• Coconut water
• Broth
• Sports drinks

Sip small amounts throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Once your bowels are opening regularly and symptoms have calmed, you may slowly move to other thin fluids.

A low-residue diet, also called a low-fiber diet, helps your digestive system recover after a bowel obstruction. On this diet, choose foods that are easier to digest and produce less waste, such as:

• White bread, white rice, and regular pasta
• Cooked or canned fruit and ripe bananas
• Well-cooked vegetables without skins or seeds
• Tender meat, poultry, and fish
• Eggs
• Milk, yogurt, and cheese
• Plain cakes, cookies, pudding, and gelatin

To prevent another bowel blockage, or care for the obstruction you already have, here are some tips:

• Follow your doctor's diet and medication instructions.
• Stay active; walking is a good option.
• Keep follow-up appointments and follow incision-care instructions after surgery.
• Watch out for symptoms of a bowel obstruction such as stomach cramping, pain and swelling, loss of appetite, constipation, and vomiting.

If you think you have a bowel obstruction or stricture, get emergency medical help. A doctor may give you a physical exam and order imaging and blood tests. If it turns out you do have an obstruction or stricture, they'll decide on the best treatment approach. This could include surgery or nonsurgical options like using a tube to ease pressure.

Your doctor could then suggest dietary changes, such as choosing foods that are easy to digest, and staying hydrated.