Is partial bowel blockage painful?

Symptoms of a bowel blockage or obstruction do include cramping and pain in the belly that comes and goes, specifically around or below the navel, according to WebMD. Patients should contact a doctor immediately if the pain is constant and severe.

Severe, unrelenting pain may mean that there is a hole in the intestine or that the intestine's blood supply is cut off. These conditions are considered medical emergencies, according to WebMD. Other than pain, the symptoms of a partial bowel obstruction also include vomiting, bloating, a large and hard belly, and diarrhea. Constipation without gas indicates that the bowel may be completely blocked.