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Ileus - Ileus symptom, treatment, causes

Ileus is a partial or complete non-mechanical blockage of the small and large intestine. Patients with ileus typically present with vague, mild abdominal pain and bloating. They may report nausea, vomiting, and poor appetite. Abdominal cramping is usually not present. Patients may or may not continue to pass flatus and stool. There are two types of intestinal obstructions, mechanical and non-mechanical. Mechanical obstructions occur because the bowel is physically blocked and its contents cannot pass the point of the obstruction. This happens when the bowel twists on itself (volvulus) or as the result of hernias, impacted feces, abnormal tissue growth, or the presence of foreign bodies in the intestines. By contrast, non-mechanical obstruction, called ileus, occurs because the rhythmic contractions that move material through the bowel (called peristalsis) stop. Ileus is a functional rather than mechanical obstruction of the bowel. It is a lack of propulsive peristalsis of the bowel. It stops the movement of bowel contents downward. Ileus is most often associated with an infection of the peritoneum (the membrane lining the abdomen) or other intra-abdominal infections such as appendicitis. It is one of the major causes of bowel obstruction in infants and children. Another common cause of ileus is a disruption or reduction of the blood supply to the abdomen.

Ileus can also be caused by kidney diseases, especially when potassium levels are decreased. Heart disease and certain chemotherapy drugs, such as vinblastine and vincristine, also can cause ileus. Paralytic ileus may lead to complications causing jaundice and electrolyte imbalances. In the newborn, paralytic ileus that is associated with destruction of the bowel wall (necrotizing enterocolitis) is life-threatening and may lead to infection in the infant's blood and lungs. In cases in which electrolyte imbalance is the cause of ileus, it is important to treat the underlying cause of the imbalance, which in many cases is related to chronic vomiting and/or diarrhea, poor fluid and food intake, or abuse of laxatives and diuretics. Patients may be treated with supervised bed rest in a hospital and bowel rest, where nothing is taken by mouth, and patients are fed intravenously or through the use of a nasogastric tube, a tube inserted through the nose, down the throat, and into the stomach. In some cases, especially where there is a mechanical obstruction or death (necrosis) of intestinal tissue, surgery may be necessary.

Ileus is a types of temporary paralysis of the muscles in the intestinal wall. Part or all of the intestine may be affected. Without the muscle activity (called peristalsis) that nonnally pushes the intestinal contents along, the onwardmovement of gas, fluid and faeces is obstructed. Paralytic ileus may follow abdominal surgery.or may occur as a complication of other disorders such as PERITONITIS (inflammation of theabdominal and/or pelvic cavity). PANCREATITIS linflammation of the pancreas), or bleeding into the ahdominalcavity.

Symptoms of Ileus

These include swelling of the abdomen, vomiting, abdominal pain and inability to pass wind or faeces. Diagnosis is usually obvious if no bowel sounds can be heard through a stethoscope. and abdominal X-ray or ultrasound shows gaseous distension of the affected bowel and no peristalsis. Some sign and symptoms related to Ileus are as follows:

• Abdominal cramping.
• Cramps.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Failure to pass gas or stool.
• Constipation.
• Lack of bowel movement.
• Hiccups.

Causes of Ileus

The common causes and risk factor's of Ileus include the following:

• Abdominal surgery.
• Use of certain drugs, such as narcotic pain drugs or high blood pressure medicine.
• Imbalance of electrolytes.
• Injury to the abdominal blood supply.
• A previous history of ileus.

Treament of Ileus

This involves emptying the bowel viatubes into the stomach through the mouth. and into the large intestine through the anus; food and fluid are given by intravenous drip, not by mouth. Any underlying cause must be corrected. Paralytic ileus that follows abdominal surgery usually recovers spontaneously within 48 to 72 hours. Here is list of the methods for treating Ileus:

• Nasogastric suction (NG tube) -a tube is inserted through the nose and into the stomach to remove digestive fluids. This will help relieve pain and bloating.
• Drug therapies that promote intestinal motility (ability of the intestine to move spontaneously), such as cisapride and vasopressin (Pitressin), are sometimes prescribed.
• Intravenous fluids and electrolytes -fluids are given by vein to avoid dehydration. Electrolytes are given by vein to help the ileus resolve.
• Colonoscopic decompression -a flexible tube may be inserted into the colon to relieve pressure.
• In some cases, especially where there is a mechanical obstruction or death (necrosis) of intestinal tissue, surgery may be necessary.