Intestinal Obstruction

Summary

An intestinal obstruction occurs when food or stool cannot move through the intestines. The obstruction can be complete or partial. There are many causes. The most common are adhesions, hernias, cancers, and certain medicines.

Symptoms include:

• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Vomiting
• Bloating
• Loud bowel sounds
• Swelling of the abdomen
• Inability to pass gas
• Constipation

A complete intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency. It often requires surgery.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Encyclopedia

• Abdominal CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Amylase – urine Medical Encyclopedia
• Hirschsprung disease Medical Encyclopedia
• Intestinal pseudo-obstruction Medical Encyclopedia
• Large bowel resection – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Small bowel resection – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Total colectomy or proctocolectomy – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Volvulus – childhood Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Merck & Co., Inc.
• Disorders of the Large Intestine International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Disorders of the Small Intestine International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders
• Gastrointestinal Complications National Cancer Institute
• Intestinal Ischemia Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Start Here

• Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI Tract National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Intestinal Obstruction Merck & Co., Inc.

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Fecal Impaction National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Obstruction National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Volvulus National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Intussusception National Institutes of Health

Treatments and Therapies

• Colectomy Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Colostomy – Series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Intestinal obstruction repair – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Small bowel resection – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• CT Enterography Radiological Society of North America
• Radiographic Tests in GI American College of Gastroenterology

Genetics

• Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Feingold syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Children

• Hirschsprung Disease Nemours Foundation
• Hirschsprung Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• Intestinal Malrotation Nemours Foundation
• Intestinal obstruction (pediatric) – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
• Intussusception Nemours Foundation

Related Issues

• Ileus Merck & Co., Inc.
• Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

Patient Handouts

• Intestinal obstruction Medical Encyclopedia
• Intestinal obstruction repair Medical Encyclopedia
• Intestinal or bowel obstruction – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Intussusception – children Medical Encyclopedia
• Small bowel resection Medical Encyclopedia

Journal Articles

• Intestinal Obstruction