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Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing through.
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing through.


==Causes==
==What are the causes?==


Obstruction of the bowel may due to:
Obstruction of the bowel may due to:


A mechanical cause, which means something is in the way
*A mechanical cause, which means something is in the way
Ileus, a condition in which the bowel doesn't work correctly but there is no structural problem
*Ileus, a condition in which the bowel doesn't work correctly but there is no structural problem


Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include:
Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include:


Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis)
*Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis)
Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels)
*Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels)
Complications of abdominal surgery
*Complications of abdominal surgery
Decreased blood supply to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia)
*Decreased blood supply to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia)
Infections inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis
*Infections inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis
Kidney or lung disease
*Kidney or lung disease
Use of certain medications, especially narcotics
*Use of certain medications, especially narcotics


Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:
Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:


Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery
*Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery
Foreign bodies (eaten materials that block the intestines)
*Foreign bodies (eaten materials that block the intestines)
Gallstones (rare)
*Gallstones (rare)
Hernias
*Hernias
Impacted stool
*Impacted stool
Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
*Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
Tumors blocking the intestines
*Tumors blocking the intestines
Volvulus (twisted intestine)
*Volvulus (twisted intestine)


==Symptoms==
==What are the symptoms?==
Abdominal swelling (distention)
*Abdominal swelling (distention)
Abdominal fullness, gas
*Abdominal fullness, gas
Abdominal pain and cramping
*Abdominal pain and cramping
Breath odor
*Breath odor
Constipation
*Constipation
Diarrhea
*Diarrhea
Inability to pass gas
*Inability to pass gas
Vomiting
*Vomiting


==Exams and Tests==
==Diagnosis==


During a physical exam, the health care provider may find bloating, tenderness, or hernias in the abdomen.
During a physical exam, the health care provider may find bloating, tenderness, or hernias in the abdomen.
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Tests that show obstruction include:
Tests that show obstruction include:


Abdominal CT scan
*Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal x-ray
*Abdominal x-ray
Barium enema
*Barium enema
Upper GI and small bowel series
*Upper GI and small bowel series


==Treatment==
==Treatment==
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Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of tissue death.
Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of tissue death.


==Outlook (Prognosis)==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==


The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most of the time the cause is easily treated.
The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most of the time the cause is easily treated.


==Possible Complications==
==Possible complications==


Complications may include or may lead to:
Complications may include or may lead to:


Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
*Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
Dehydration
*Dehydration
Hole (perforation) in the intestine  
*Hole (perforation) in the intestine  
Infection
*Infection
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
*Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)


If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, it may cause infection and tissue death (gangrene). Risks for tissue death are related to the cause of the blockage and how long it has been present. Hernias, volvulus, and intussusception carry a higher gangrene risk.  
If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, it may cause infection and tissue death (gangrene). Risks for tissue death are related to the cause of the blockage and how long it has been present. Hernias, volvulus, and intussusception carry a higher gangrene risk.  
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In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is life-threatening and may lead to blood and lung infections.
In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is life-threatening and may lead to blood and lung infections.


==When to Contact a Medical Professional==
==When to seek urgent medical care?==


Call your health care provider if you:
Call your health care provider if you:


Cannot pass stool or gas
*Cannot pass stool or gas
Have a swollen abdomen (distention) that does not go away
*Have a swollen abdomen (distention) that does not go away
Keep vomiting
*Keep vomiting


==Prevention==
==Prevention==

Revision as of 00:28, 29 November 2012

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Ileus (patient information)

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing through.

What are the causes?

Obstruction of the bowel may due to:

  • A mechanical cause, which means something is in the way
  • Ileus, a condition in which the bowel doesn't work correctly but there is no structural problem

Paralytic ileus, also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes of intestinal obstruction in infants and children. Causes of paralytic ileus may include:

  • Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections (gastroenteritis)
  • Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels)
  • Complications of abdominal surgery
  • Decreased blood supply to the intestines (mesenteric ischemia)
  • Infections inside the abdomen, such as appendicitis
  • Kidney or lung disease
  • Use of certain medications, especially narcotics

Mechanical causes of intestinal obstruction may include:

  • Adhesions or scar tissue that forms after surgery
  • Foreign bodies (eaten materials that block the intestines)
  • Gallstones (rare)
  • Hernias
  • Impacted stool
  • Intussusception (telescoping of one segment of bowel into another)
  • Tumors blocking the intestines
  • Volvulus (twisted intestine)

What are the symptoms?

  • Abdominal swelling (distention)
  • Abdominal fullness, gas
  • Abdominal pain and cramping
  • Breath odor
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Inability to pass gas
  • Vomiting

Diagnosis

During a physical exam, the health care provider may find bloating, tenderness, or hernias in the abdomen.

Tests that show obstruction include:

  • Abdominal CT scan
  • Abdominal x-ray
  • Barium enema
  • Upper GI and small bowel series

Treatment

Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine to help relieve abdominal swelling (distention) and vomiting. Volvulus of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the rectum.

Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of tissue death.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The outcome depends on the cause of the blockage. Most of the time the cause is easily treated.

Possible complications

Complications may include or may lead to:

  • Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
  • Dehydration
  • Hole (perforation) in the intestine
  • Infection
  • Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)

If the obstruction blocks the blood supply to the intestine, it may cause infection and tissue death (gangrene). Risks for tissue death are related to the cause of the blockage and how long it has been present. Hernias, volvulus, and intussusception carry a higher gangrene risk.

In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is life-threatening and may lead to blood and lung infections.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if you:

  • Cannot pass stool or gas
  • Have a swollen abdomen (distention) that does not go away
  • Keep vomiting

Prevention

Prevention depends on the cause. Treating conditions, such as tumors and hernias, that can lead to obstruction may reduce your risk of getting an obstruction.

Some causes of obstruction cannot be prevented.