Symptoms of a Perforated Bowel

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By Dana George
eHow Contributing Writer

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A perforated bowel, otherwise known as gastrointestinal perforation, is a gap that forms within the wall of the large intestine. This allows contents of the colon to escape into the abdomen, leading to infection and internal bleeding. A perforated bowl should be treated immediately, so knowing the symptoms is important.

Pain

Pain is the most common symptom of a perforated bowel. This pain usually is a severe ache in the abdomen that isn't helped by medication. However, if the gap is relatively small, the pain is often dull.

Distention

Another common symptom of a perforated bowel is abdominal distention, which is an abnormal and persistent swelling of the stomach. The distention may include the feeling of fullness.

Fever

A perforated bowel can cause a fever of 102 degrees F or higher. The fever is usually accompanied by chills, even as body temperature rises.

Nausea

Nausea often accompanies the pain, abdominal distention and fever. This nausea is seemingly unexplained and often is so severe that it causes vomiting.

Bowel Changes

It's also common for a person with a perforated bowel to experience changes in his bowel movements. For some, it is intermittent episodes of constipation or diarrhea. For others, they detect actual blood in their stool or dark, tarry stool.