4 Severe, sharp pain in the gut (acute abdomen).Feel: is the belly hard, like a board? Is your touch very painful? These are signs of serious danger.No sounds are another dangerous sign of obstruction. Listen: are there any sounds from the gut? Sounds are a healthy sign of digestion and you will hear some sounds even when there is constipation.If they have no bowel movements, cannot fart, and have pain, it might be obstruction.
If the person has not had a bowel movement in a few days it could be constipation. If it is not, that can be sign of real danger. It is also important to know if the gut is working – moving and digesting food. The location of the pain in the gut can be a clue as to what is causing it. If there is pain, ask the person to point to the exact spot where it hurts.
