Other Conditions With Symptoms Similar to a Bowel Obstruction

Bowel obstructions usually cause some degree of abdominal (belly) pain, bloating, and vomiting. Other conditions that may cause similar symptoms include:

• Inflammation of the appendix (appendicitis).
• Food poisoning.
• Inflammation of the lining of the stomach and the intestines (gastroenteritis).
• Severe constipation from hard, dry stools (fecal impaction).
• Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• Inflammation of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis).
• Stomach (peptic) ulcers.
• Irritable bowel syndrome, which can cause cramping belly pain and bloating, but not usually vomiting.