What are some common signs of perforated bowel?

Severe abdominal pain and fever are classic signs of a perforated bowel. When a bowel perforates, it leads to the contents of the intestine spilling into the abdominal cavity, which can cause significant irritation and inflammation of the peritoneum, resulting in acute abdominal pain. The pain is often described as sharp and severe, potentially radiating to different areas depending on the severity and location of the perforation.

Fever can accompany this condition as the body responds to the resultant infection from the spillage of intestinal contents. This is indicative of a potential intra-abdominal infection, such as peritonitis, which occurs when bacteria from the bowel enter the sterile abdominal environment.

Nausea and vomiting, while common in many gastrointestinal conditions, are not as definitive or specific for a perforated bowel as the combination of severe abdominal pain and fever. Diarrhea and dehydration may occur, but they are not primary indicators of perforation. Blood in the urine is unrelated to this condition, as it pertains to issues within the urinary tract rather than the gastrointestinal system.