Intestinal Obstruction Also called: Bowel obstruction, Intestinal volvulus, Paralytic ileus 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 Amylase – urine Hirschsprung’s disease Intestinal pseudo-obstruction Large bowel resection – discharge Small bowel resection – discharge Total colectomy or proctocolectomy – discharge Volvulus – childhood Specifics Acute Mesenteric Ischemia Merck & Co., Inc. Gastrointestinal Complications (PDQ) – Bowel Obstruction 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 Ostomy Surgery of the Bowel National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Array Colostomy – slideshow Intestinal obstruction Intestinal obstruction (pediatric) – slideshow Intestinal obstruction repair Intestinal obstruction repair – slideshow Intestinal or bowel obstruction – discharge Intussusception – children Small bowel resection Small bowel resection – slideshow Diagnosis and Tests CT Enterography Array GI Radiographic Tests American College of Gastroenterology Genetics Genetics Home Reference: epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Feingold syndrome National Library of Medicine Children Hirschsprung Disease Nemours Foundation Intestinal Malrotation Nemours Foundation Intussusception Nemours Foundation What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung Disease National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Related Issues Ileus Merck & Co., Inc. Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Journal Articles Intestinal Obstruction
