When a part of the small or large intestine (the bowels) becomes blocked, either totally or partially so that stools cannot get through, this is known as a bowel obstruction; and it can happen to anybody.

Blockages can occur for a number of reasons. Some of these include hernia, gallstones, tumors, abnormal growth of tissue, a twisted intestine or foreign body (by swallowing a non-food item).

Bowel Obstruction

A blocked bowel is usually a serious condition that requires medical attention. Sometimes, the intestine may have to be decompressed which is achieved by the insertion of a (nasogastric) tube into the stomach. If this doesn’t manage to resolve the blockage then surgery may be required.

There are some complications associated with bowel obstructions. If not treated, for example, a part of the bowel tissue could die resulting in infection and even in some cases, gangrene. There is also the possibility of the intestine becoming perforated, and this is a medical emergency should it happen.

The symptoms of a blocked bowel can include the total lack of stools as none can get through, or diarrhea as only liquid stools can get through. Pain, bloating and cramps also point to a blocked bowel, as do bad breath and vomiting. Diagnosis of a bowel obstruction is carried out be a physical examination in combination with diagnostic tests.

Birth control pills are basically pills that are taken on a daily basis and which contain certain hormones that will change the way the uterus and ovaries perform thereby preventing pregnancy. Most birth control pills today are classified as combination pills which means they contain both progesterone and estrogen hormones which prevent the release of eggs in a women’s monthly cycle (ovulation). If there are no eggs released, a woman cannot get pregnant.

Another function of the pill is that it thickens the mucus found around the cervix, making it very hard for sperm to get into the uterus and finding any eggs that could have been released. The pills hormones sometimes affect the uterus’ lining as well so that any eggs released will find it very difficult to attach to the sides.

Birth Control Pills and Other Common Methods

Most combo pills come in 21-day or 28-day packets, with one taken each day. With a 21-day pack you will stop taking the pill for seven days at the end of the cycle and with the 28-day pack you will take seven pills without any hormones at the end of the cycle. Women then tend to get their periods when they cease taking the pills that contain the hormones.

A food allergy occurs when someone’s immune system reacts adversely to a particular type of food. When this happens it causes inflammation in certain bodily tissues and can even be life threatening. A food allergy should not be confused with food intolerance because, although in both situations the body can react to even a very small amount of food, food intolerance is not caused by an individual’s immune system; rather, it’s the digestive system.

Although actual food allergies are very rare and tend to run in the family, some people avoid consuming specific foods because they are under the mistaken assumption that they’re allergic to them. On average, only one in hundred adults and three in a hundred infants have food allergies. An individual would be more at risk if they or their family suffer from any allergic conditions such as asthma, eczema or hay fever. Only a medical professional will be able to diagnose somebody as having a food allergy.

Food Allergies

In principle, people could be allergic to any type of food, but the most common ones appear to be the following: milk, fish, shellfish, eggs, wheat, soya beans, peanuts and certain fruit and veg.

Food allergies are usually diagnosed by blood or skin tests, or a going through a food elimination program.