Ileus: symptoms, causes, and medications. Hello healthy

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Definition

What is an ileus?

Ileus is the medical term for decreased movement of the digestive tract that causes a buildup or blockage of nutrients. Ileus can cause intestinal obstruction, in which nutrients, gas, or fluids cannot pass. Although it can be caused by several things, ileus is most commonly a side effect of surgery.

Ileus is a serious problem, but many people often do not realize that food is accumulating in the intestines and continue to eat food. As a result, this food that continues to enter will cause a buildup and clog the digestive tract.

Without treatment, this condition can perforate or tear the intestine. This causes intestinal contents, which contain a lot of bacteria, to leak into areas of the body cavity. Patients should seek immediate medical care if this occurs.

Ileus can develop into a life-threatening condition. The two most severe complications are necrosis and peritonitis.

How common is it?

This condition is very common and can occur in patients of any age. Ileus is a condition that can be treated by reducing risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of ileus?

Here are the common symptoms and signs of ileus.

• Stomach cramps
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling full
• Constipation
• Can't pass wind
• Swelling of the stomach
• Nausea
• Vomiting, such as the contents of feces

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should see a doctor if you already experience some of the symptoms above. Keep in mind, everyone's body is different, so the response to a disease is also different. Don't hesitate to consult a doctor if you start to experience unusual symptoms in your body.

Cause

What causes ileus?

Ileus is a condition that generally occurs after surgery. These side effects can occur because the patient is previously prescribed drugs that can slow down bowel movements. Some of the operations that can cause this condition are surgery on the stomach, joints, or spine. The type that occurs is paralytic ileus.

In this type, the intestine is not blocked, only its movement is disturbed. As a result, the flow of digested food through your intestines is obstructed.

In addition, some conditions that can cause ileus are:

• injury or trauma,
• severe generalized infection (sepsis),
• heart attack,
• disorders that affect muscle function
• colon cancer,
• Chron's disease, which causes the intestinal wall to thicken,
• diverticulitis,
• Parkinson's disease, which affects the muscles and nerves in the intestines,
  
• low blood intake in the intestines (mesenteric ischemia), as well
  
• intussusception, the ileus experienced by babies.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for ileus?

Ileus is the second most common cause of a person's return to the hospital after surgery. This condition is more likely if you have recently had stomach surgery. Surgical procedures on the abdomen to treat intestinal conditions commonly result in stopping bowel movements.

In addition, here are the factors that put a person at an increased risk of developing ileus.

• Have a history of the same condition,
  
• Electrolyte imbalances, especially potassium and calcium,
• Have had an injury or trauma to the intestines,
• Have had irradiation tests on the stomach or the surrounding area,
• Experiencing drastic weight loss,
• Using certain medications, such as high blood pressure medications, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), morphine, oxycodone, or tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline, imipramine).

In addition, aging naturally slows down bowel movements. Older people are at a higher risk of developing this condition, mainly because they tend to take medications that can slow down the movement of food through the intestines.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

How is this condition diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, as well as perform a physical exam. The disease is diagnosed based on symptoms and test results. Here are some further tests that are done for this condition.

• X-rays: can show signs of trapped gas and possible obstruction, but X-rays are not always the most accurate way to diagnose this condition.
• CT scan: shows a detailed X-ray image to help the doctor identify potential areas where the ileus is located.
• Ultrasonic: technique imaging it is more commonly used to identify ileus in children.
• Barium enema: a test that uses radiation to take pictures of the colon, after which the colon is filled with barium.
• Colonoscopy: a thin, lighted tube is inserted through the rectum into the large intestine to examine the lining of the large intestine.

What are the treatments for ileus?

Actually, the treatment given depends on how severe the condition you are experiencing.

In people with parsic obstruction, small amounts of food can still pass through the intestines. Therefore, doctors will recommend a low fiber diet. This is done so that food is easier to digest and reduces the density of feces, so it will be easier to pass through the intestine.

Your doctor may also tell you to stop using drugs that interfere with bowel movements. Instead, the doctor can prescribe other drugs to encourage movement. Usually the type of drug given is tegaserod or neostigmine.

Make sure you provide a history of medications that are currently being taken so that your doctor can prescribe medication by considering the side effects.

However, if it doesn't work or if you have a total obstruction where food cannot pass through the intestine at all, the doctor will perform an operation to repair that part of the intestine.

In addition, some other procedures that can be done are:

• nasogastric suction (NG tube), by inserting a tube through the nose into the stomach to remove digestive juices, this can relieve pain and bloating,
• fluid and electrolyte infusions, fluids given through the veins to prevent dehydration, and
• colonoscopic decompression, by inserting a flexible tube into the colon to relieve pressure.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.