Decrease in peristalsis in the absence of a mechanical bowel obstruction.
Symptoms of Ileus
The following features are indicative of Ileus:
crampy abdominal pain
loss of appetite
constipation
vomiting
inability to have a bowel movement or pass gas
swelling of the abdomen
It is possible that Ileus shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.
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Common Causes of Ileus
The following are the most common causes of Ileus:
intestinal adhesions
colon cancer
telescoping of the intestine in children
Other Causes of Ileus
The following are the less common causes of Ileus:
hernias
Crohn's disease
diverticulitis
twisting of the colon
impacted feces
Risk Factors for Ileus
The following factors may increase the likelihood of Ileus:
abdominal or pelvic surgery
Crohn's disease
cancer in the abdomen
Prevention of Ileus
Yes, it may be possible to prevent Ileus. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
reduce insoluble fibre intake
drink plenty of water
Occurrence of Ileus
Number of Cases
The following are the number of Ileus cases seen each year worldwide:
Very common > 10 Million cases
Common Age Group
Ileus most commonly occurs in the following age group:
Aged between 20-50 years
Common Gender
Ileus can occur in any gender.
Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Ileus
The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Ileus:
X-ray: To confirm a diagnosis of intestinal obstruction
Computerized tomography: To produce the cross-sectional images
Ultrasound: To see the intestine coiled within the intestine
Air or barium enema: Provides enhanced imaging of the colon
Doctor for Diagnosis of Ileus
Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Ileus:
General surgeon
Complications of Ileus if untreated
Yes, Ileus causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Ileus is left untreated:
tissue death
infection in the abdominal cavity
Procedures for Treatment of Ileus
The following procedures are used to treat Ileus:
Surgery: To relieve the obstruction
Self-care for Ileus
The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Ileus:
Fluid intake: Keeps the bowel movements normal
Food intake: Eat small amounts of food several times a day
Time for Treatment of Ileus
While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Ileus to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision: