Ileus: Difference between revisions

Ileus
	X-ray of a patient with ileus
Synonyms	Intestinal obstruction
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation
Complications	Bowel perforation, sepsis
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Surgery, medications, infections, electrolyte imbalance
Risks	Abdominal surgery, opioid use, elderly age
Diagnosis	Physical examination, X-ray, CT scan
Differential diagnosis	Mechanical bowel obstruction, gastroenteritis, appendicitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Bowel rest, nasogastric tube, IV fluids, surgery
Medication	Prokinetics, analgesics
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in hospitalized patients
Deaths	N/A

Latest revision as of 00:43, 8 April 2025

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD medical weight loss NYC and sleep center NYC

A medical condition characterized by a lack of movement in the intestines

Ileus is a medical condition characterized by a lack of movement in the intestines, leading to a buildup of food material and gas. This can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. Ileus can occur as a result of surgery, certain medications, or other medical conditions that affect the normal peristaltic movements of the intestines.

Causes[edit]

Ileus can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

Postoperative ileus: This is a common form of ileus that occurs after abdominal surgery. The manipulation of the intestines during surgery can temporarily disrupt their normal function.
Medications: Certain medications, such as opioids, can slow down intestinal motility and lead to ileus.
Electrolyte imbalances: Imbalances in electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium can affect muscle contractions in the intestines.
Infections: Infections within the abdomen, such as peritonitis, can lead to ileus.
Inflammatory conditions: Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause inflammation that affects intestinal motility.

Symptoms[edit]

The symptoms of ileus can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause, but commonly include:

Abdominal pain and cramping
Bloating and distension
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation or inability to pass gas

Diagnosis[edit]

Diagnosis of ileus typically involves a combination of:

Physical examination: A doctor may listen for bowel sounds and check for abdominal tenderness.
Imaging studies: X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound may be used to visualize the intestines and identify any blockages or abnormalities.
Blood tests: These can help identify electrolyte imbalances or signs of infection.

Treatment[edit]

Treatment for ileus depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Common approaches include:

Bowel rest: Patients may be advised to refrain from eating or drinking to allow the intestines to rest.
Nasogastric tube: A tube may be inserted through the nose into the stomach to relieve pressure and remove excess gas and fluids.
Medications: Prokinetic agents may be used to stimulate intestinal motility.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove any obstructions or correct underlying issues.

Prevention[edit]

Preventive measures for ileus include:

Minimizing the use of medications that can slow intestinal motility.
Encouraging early mobilization and ambulation after surgery.
Maintaining adequate hydration and electrolyte balance.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Ileus''' is a disruption of the normal propulsive ability of the [[gastrointestinal tract]]. Although ileus originally referred to any lack of forward movement of [[food]] and [[fluid]]s through the intestines, the term is now most often used to denote an [[intestinal obstruction]].
+{{SI}}
+{{Infobox medical condition
-== Causes ==
+| name            = Ileus
-Ileus can be caused by a number of conditions, including:
+| image           = [[File:Ileus2.png|left|thumb|250px|X-ray of a patient with ileus]]
+| caption         = X-ray showing ileus
-* [[Surgery]]: This is the most common cause of ileus. Any type of abdominal surgery can lead to ileus, including [[appendectomy]], [[cholecystectomy]], and [[hysterectomy]].
+| field           = [[Gastroenterology]]
-* [[Medications]]: Certain drugs, such as [[opioids]], can slow down the movement of the intestines.
+| synonyms        = [[Intestinal obstruction]]
-* [[Infections]]: Infections in the abdomen, such as [[peritonitis]], can cause ileus.
+| symptoms        = [[Abdominal pain]], [[bloating]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[constipation]]
-* [[Electrolyte imbalance]]: Imbalances in [[potassium]], [[sodium]], and [[chloride]] can affect muscle contractions in the intestines.
+| complications   = [[Bowel perforation]], [[sepsis]]
-* [[Diseases]]: Certain diseases, such as [[Parkinson's disease]], can affect the nerves that control intestinal movement.
+| onset           = Sudden or gradual
+| duration        = Varies
-== Symptoms ==
+| causes          = [[Surgery]], [[medications]], [[infections]], [[electrolyte imbalance]]
-The symptoms of ileus can vary, but may include:
+| risks           = [[Abdominal surgery]], [[opioid use]], [[elderly age]]
+| diagnosis       = [[Physical examination]], [[X-ray]], [[CT scan]]
-* [[Abdominal pain]]
+| differential    = [[Mechanical bowel obstruction]], [[gastroenteritis]], [[appendicitis]]
-* [[Nausea]] and [[vomiting]]
+| treatment       = [[Bowel rest]], [[nasogastric tube]], [[IV fluids]], [[surgery]]
-* [[Constipation]]
+| medication      = [[Prokinetics]], [[analgesics]]
-* [[Abdominal distension]]
+| prognosis       = Generally good with treatment
-* [[Lack of appetite]]
+| frequency       = Common in hospitalized patients
+}}
-== Diagnosis ==
+{{Short description|A medical condition characterized by a lack of movement in the intestines}}
-The diagnosis of ileus is usually made based on the patient's symptoms and a [[physical examination]]. Additional tests may include:
+'''Ileus''' is a medical condition characterized by a lack of movement in the intestines, leading to a buildup of food material and gas. This can cause abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. Ileus can occur as a result of surgery, certain medications, or other medical conditions that affect the normal peristaltic movements of the intestines.
+==Causes==
-* [[X-ray]]: An X-ray of the abdomen can show air-filled loops of intestine, which is a sign of ileus.
+Ileus can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
-* [[CT scan]]: A CT scan can provide a more detailed image of the intestines and can help identify the cause of the ileus.
+* [[Postoperative ileus]]: This is a common form of ileus that occurs after abdominal surgery. The manipulation of the intestines during surgery can temporarily disrupt their normal function.
-* [[Blood tests]]: Blood tests can check for signs of infection or electrolyte imbalances.
+* [[Medications]]: Certain medications, such as opioids, can slow down intestinal motility and lead to ileus.
+* [[Electrolyte imbalances]]: Imbalances in electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium can affect muscle contractions in the intestines.
-== Treatment ==
+* [[Infections]]: Infections within the abdomen, such as [[peritonitis]], can lead to ileus.
-The treatment for ileus depends on the cause. It may include:
+* [[Inflammatory conditions]]: Conditions like [[Crohn's disease]] or [[ulcerative colitis]] can cause inflammation that affects intestinal motility.
+==Symptoms==
-* [[Medication]]: Drugs that stimulate the intestines, such as [[metoclopramide]], can be used to treat ileus.
+The symptoms of ileus can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause, but commonly include:
-* [[Fluid replacement]]: Intravenous fluids can be used to correct electrolyte imbalances.
+* Abdominal pain and cramping
-* [[Surgery]]: In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove the obstruction.
+* Bloating and distension
+* Nausea and vomiting
-== See also ==
+* Constipation or inability to pass gas
+==Diagnosis==
+Diagnosis of ileus typically involves a combination of:
+* [[Physical examination]]: A doctor may listen for bowel sounds and check for abdominal tenderness.
+* [[Imaging studies]]: [[X-rays]], [[CT scans]], or [[ultrasound]] may be used to visualize the intestines and identify any blockages or abnormalities.
+* [[Blood tests]]: These can help identify electrolyte imbalances or signs of infection.
+==Treatment==
+Treatment for ileus depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Common approaches include:
+* [[Bowel rest]]: Patients may be advised to refrain from eating or drinking to allow the intestines to rest.
+* [[Nasogastric tube]]: A tube may be inserted through the nose into the stomach to relieve pressure and remove excess gas and fluids.
+* [[Medications]]: Prokinetic agents may be used to stimulate intestinal motility.
+* [[Surgery]]: In severe cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to remove any obstructions or correct underlying issues.
+==Prevention==
+Preventive measures for ileus include:
+* Minimizing the use of medications that can slow intestinal motility.
+* Encouraging early mobilization and ambulation after surgery.
+* Maintaining adequate hydration and electrolyte balance.
+==See also==
+* [[Bowel obstruction]]
+* [[Peristalsis]]
 * [[Gastrointestinal tract]]
-* [[Intestinal obstruction]]
+[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
-* [[Abdominal pain]]
-* [[Nausea]]
-* [[Vomiting]]
-* [[Constipation]]
-* [[Abdominal distension]]
-* [[Lack of appetite]]
-[[Category:Gastrointestinal disorders]]
 [[Category:Medical conditions]]
-[[Category:Digestive diseases]]
-{{stub}}
-{{dictionary-stub1}}

Ileus
X-ray of a patient with ileus
Synonyms	Intestinal obstruction
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, constipation
Complications	Bowel perforation, sepsis
Onset	Sudden or gradual
Duration	Varies
Types	N/A
Causes	Surgery, medications, infections, electrolyte imbalance
Risks	Abdominal surgery, opioid use, elderly age
Diagnosis	Physical examination, X-ray, CT scan
Differential diagnosis	Mechanical bowel obstruction, gastroenteritis, appendicitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Bowel rest, nasogastric tube, IV fluids, surgery
Medication	Prokinetics, analgesics
Prognosis	Generally good with treatment
Frequency	Common in hospitalized patients
Deaths	N/A