Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency medical care for:
Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain
A hard, very tender, or rapidly enlarging abdomen
Repeated vomiting with an inability to keep fluids down
Vomit containing blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Fever, fainting, confusion, or marked weakness with abdominal swelling
Bloody or black stools
Chest pain, breathing difficulty, or signs of severe dehydration
These symptoms may indicate perforation, reduced bowel blood flow, infection, or another form of obstruction.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Contact your usual healthcare service promptly if swelling or vomiting is increasing, you are passing much less urine, or you cannot maintain food and fluid intake.
New symptoms should be assessed rather than assumed to be another pseudo-obstruction episode.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine follow-up is appropriate for gradual weight loss, more frequent flares, changes in bowel habits, increasing difficulty eating, or possible medicine side effects.
People using tube feeding or intravenous nutrition need the monitoring schedule arranged by their care team.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Intestinal pseudo-obstruction. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.