Ileus (patient information): Difference between revisions

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'''For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click [[Ileus|here]].'''
'''For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click [[Ileus|here]].'''
{{Ileus (patient information)}}
{{Ileus (patient information)}}
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==Overview==
==Overview==
Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the bowel that prevents the contents of the intestine from passing through.
Ileus is temporary absence of intestinal movements leading to decreased movement of food contents. Ileus occurs in the absence of [[Bowel obstruction (patient information)|intestinal obstruction]] and is most commonly seen in [[Surgery|postoperative]] conditions.


==What are the symptoms?==
==What are the symptoms?==
*Abdominal swelling (distention)
*Abdominal swelling ([[Abdominal distension (patient information)|distention]])
*Abdominal fullness, gas
*Abdominal fullness, gas
*Abdominal pain and cramping
*[[Abdominal pain (patient information)|Abdominal pain]] and cramping
*Breath odor
*Breath odor
*[[Constipation]]
*[[Constipation]]
*[[Diarrhea]]
*Inability to pass gas
*Inability to pass gas
*[[Vomiting]]
*[[Nausea and vomiting (patient information)|Vomiting]]


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


Obstruction of the bowel may due to:
[[Ileus (patient information)|Ileus]] 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:
[[Ileus (patient information)|Paralytic ileus]], also called pseudo-obstruction, is one of the major causes in infants and children. Causes of [[Ileus (patient information)|paralytic ileus]] may include:


*Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections ([[gastroenteritis]])
*Bacteria or viruses that cause intestinal infections ([[Gastroenteritis (patient information)|gastroenteritis]])
*Chemical, electrolyte, or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels)
*Chemical, [[Electrolyte disturbance|electrolyte]], or mineral imbalances (such as decreased potassium levels)
*Complications of abdominal surgery
*Complications of [[Abdominal surgery|abdominal surgery]]
*Decreased blood supply to the intestines ([[mesenteric ischemia]])
*Decreased blood supply to the [[intestines|bowel]] ([[Mesenteric ischemia (patient information)|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:
 
*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)


==Diagnosis==
==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 [[Hernia (patient information)|hernias]] in the abdomen.


Tests that show obstruction include:
Tests that show obstruction include:


*Abdominal CT scan
*Abdominal [[Computed tomography|CT scan]]
*Abdominal x-ray
*[[Abdominal x-ray]]
*Barium enema
*[[Barium enema]]
*Upper GI and small bowel series
*Upper [[Gastrointestinal tract|GI]] and small bowel series
 
==When to seek urgent medical care?==
==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 ([[Abdominal distension (patient information)|distention]]) that does not go away
*Keep vomiting
*Keep [[Nausea and vomiting (patient information)|vomiting]]


==Treatment options==
==Treatment options==


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.
Treatment involves placing a tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine to help relieve abdominal swelling ([[Abdominal distension (patient information)|distention]]) and [[Nausea and vomiting (patient information)|vomiting]]. [[Volvulus (patient information)|Volvulus]] of the large bowel may be treated by passing a tube into the [[rectum]].
 
[[Surgery]] may be needed in case symptoms do not resolve over the course of days with treatment to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of [[Gangrene (patient information)|tissue death]].
 
===Medications to avoid===
{{MedCondContrPI


Surgery may be needed to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of tissue death.
|MedCond =paralytic ileus|[[Hyoscyamine]]|[[Oxycodone]]|[[Polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution (PEG-ES)]]}}


==Prevention==
==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.
[[Prevention (medical)|Prevention]] depends on the cause. Treating some conditions, such as [[Electrolyte disturbance|electrolyte abnormalities]], thyroid disorders, and [[Diabetes mellitus type 2 (patient information)|diabetes]], that can predispose to ileus may reduce your risk.


Some causes of obstruction cannot be prevented.
==What to expect (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 ileus. Most of the time the cause is easily treated.


==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
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Complications may include or may lead to:
Complications may include or may lead to:


*Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances
*[[Electrolyte disturbance|Electrolyte (blood chemical and mineral) imbalances]]
*[[Dehydration]]
*[[Dehydration (patient information)|Dehydration]]
*Hole (perforation) in the intestine  
*Pierce ([[Gastrointestinal perforation|perforation]]) in the [[intestine|bowel wall]]
*Infection
*Infection
*[[Jaundice]] (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
*[[Jaundice (patient information)|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.  
When ileus persists for more than 7 days the cause is usually [[Bowel obstruction (patient information)|intestinal obstruction]]. The [[Bowel obstruction (patient information)|obstruction]] blocks the blood supply to the [[intestine|bowel]], it may cause infection and [[Gangrene (patient information)|tissue death]] ([[Gangrene (patient information)|gangrene]]). Risks for [[Gangrene (patient information)|tissue death]] are related to the cause of the blockage and how long it has been present. [[Hernia (patient information)|Hernias]], [[Volvulus (patient information)|volvulus]], and [[Intussusception (patient information)|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.
In a newborn, paralytic ileus that destroys the bowel wall ([[necrotizing enterocolitis]]) is life-threatening and may lead to blood and lung infections.
==Sources==
==Sources==
[http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000260.htm National Library of Medicine]
{{reflist|2}}
{{reflist|2}}



Latest revision as of 20:12, 18 October 2020


For the WikiDoc page on this topic, click here.

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] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Maheep Singh Sangha, M.B.B.S.

Overview

Ileus is temporary absence of intestinal movements leading to decreased movement of food contents. Ileus occurs in the absence of intestinal obstruction and is most commonly seen in postoperative conditions.

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Ileus may due to:

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

Diagnosis

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

Tests that show obstruction include:

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

Treatment options

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 in case symptoms do not resolve over the course of days with treatment to relieve the obstruction if the tube does not relieve the symptoms, or if there are signs of tissue death.

Medications to avoid

Patients diagnosed with paralytic ileus should avoid using the following medications:


Prevention

Prevention depends on the cause. Treating some conditions, such as electrolyte abnormalities, thyroid disorders, and diabetes, that can predispose to ileus may reduce your risk.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

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

Possible complications

Complications may include or may lead to:

When ileus persists for more than 7 days the cause is usually intestinal obstruction. The obstruction blocks the blood supply to the bowel, 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.

Sources

National Library of Medicine

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