Ileus: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 04:02, 13 February 2025

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

Overview

Diagram illustrating ileus 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

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

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

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.

Related pages

@@ 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]].
+{{Short description|A medical condition characterized by a lack of movement in the intestines}}
+{{Medical condition}}
-== Causes ==
+==Overview==
-Ileus can be caused by a number of conditions, including:
+[[File:Ileus2.png|thumb|right|Diagram illustrating ileus 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.
-* [[Surgery]]: This is the most common cause of ileus. Any type of abdominal surgery can lead to ileus, including [[appendectomy]], [[cholecystectomy]], and [[hysterectomy]].
+==Causes==
-* [[Medications]]: Certain drugs, such as [[opioids]], can slow down the movement of the intestines.
+Ileus can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
-* [[Infections]]: Infections in the abdomen, such as [[peritonitis]], can cause ileus.
-* [[Electrolyte imbalance]]: Imbalances in [[potassium]], [[sodium]], and [[chloride]] can affect muscle contractions in the intestines.
-* [[Diseases]]: Certain diseases, such as [[Parkinson's disease]], can affect the nerves that control intestinal movement.
-== Symptoms ==
+* [[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.
-The symptoms of ileus can vary, but may include:
+* [[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.
-* [[Abdominal pain]]
+==Symptoms==
-* [[Nausea]] and [[vomiting]]
+The symptoms of ileus can vary depending on the severity and underlying cause, but commonly include:
-* [[Constipation]]
-* [[Abdominal distension]]
-* [[Lack of appetite]]
-== Diagnosis ==
+* Abdominal pain and cramping
-The diagnosis of ileus is usually made based on the patient's symptoms and a [[physical examination]]. Additional tests may include:
+* Bloating and distension
+* Nausea and vomiting
+* Constipation or inability to pass gas
-* [[X-ray]]: An X-ray of the abdomen can show air-filled loops of intestine, which is a sign of ileus.
+==Diagnosis==
-* [[CT scan]]: A CT scan can provide a more detailed image of the intestines and can help identify the cause of the ileus.
+Diagnosis of ileus typically involves a combination of:
-* [[Blood tests]]: Blood tests can check for signs of infection or electrolyte imbalances.
-== Treatment ==
+* [[Physical examination]]: A doctor may listen for bowel sounds and check for abdominal tenderness.
-The treatment for ileus depends on the cause. It may include:
+* [[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.
-* [[Medication]]: Drugs that stimulate the intestines, such as [[metoclopramide]], can be used to treat ileus.
+==Treatment==
-* [[Fluid replacement]]: Intravenous fluids can be used to correct electrolyte imbalances.
+Treatment for ileus depends on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Common approaches include:
-* [[Surgery]]: In some cases, surgery may be needed to remove the obstruction.
-== See also ==
+* [[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.
+==Related pages==
+* [[Bowel obstruction]]
+* [[Peristalsis]]
 * [[Gastrointestinal tract]]
-* [[Intestinal obstruction]]
-* [[Abdominal pain]]
-* [[Nausea]]
-* [[Vomiting]]
-* [[Constipation]]
-* [[Abdominal distension]]
-* [[Lack of appetite]]
-[[Category:Gastrointestinal disorders]]
+[[Category:Gastroenterology]]
 [[Category:Medical conditions]]
-[[Category:Digestive diseases]]
-{{stub}}
-{{dictionary-stub1}}