10 Intestinal Blockage Symptoms
Reviewed: Dr. Mera
Symptom #10: Abdominal Guarding
Abdominal guarding occurs when the abdominal wall muscles become tense to guard against moving or touching the inflamed organs in the abdomen. The tensing can be elicited when the abdomen is touched. When present, the abdomen feels tense and can feel wood-like as the muscles are in spasm to prevent disturbance of the underlying tissue.
Abdominal guarding can be seen in patients with appendicitis, intestinal blockage, ectopic pregnancy, intussusception, ileus, pancreatitis, perforated peptic ulcer disease, and volvulus. In intestinal blockage, when abdominal guarding occurs, it may signify that there is bowel perforation. Other associated symptoms of perforation include fever, tachycardia, and low blood pressure.
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