Abdominal Sounds

What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. Medical history questions concerning abdominal sounds may include:

• What other symptoms are also present?
• Have you noticed any abdominal pain?
• Have you noticed any diarrhea?
• Have you noticed any constipation?
• Have you noticed any abdominal distention?
• Have you noticed any excessive or absent gas (flatus)?
• Have you noticed any bleeding from the rectum or black stools?

For physical examination, temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure are checked. Careful abdominal examination will be performed. Examination with a stethoscope may reveal abnormal bowel sounds which may have gone unnoticed by the patient. Diagnostic tests to determine the cause may include:

• various blood tests
• abdominal X-ray
• abdominal cat scan
• endoscopy
• other imaging studies and tests

While many conditions are managed in a health care provider's office, if there are signs of an actual or impending emergency, hospitalization may be necessary. Measures may be taken to empty the bowel. This is done by placing a tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach or intestines (nasogastric tube) and suctioning the intestinal contents out.

Usually no fluids or food should be taken by mouth, to allow the intestines to rest. Intravenous fluids are often needed. Medications may be given to reduce symptoms and to treat the cause (the specific medication depends on the situation). Surgery may be needed immediately in some cases.