Intestinal obstruction definition

Motility disorders are conditions that affect the movement of food and waste through the digestive tract. There are many types of motility disorder and they can impact any part of the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the rectum. In a healthy digestive tract, muscles and valves move food from one part of the digestive system to another. Muscles push food along in a process known as peristalsis, and valves stop food from flowing backward. When a person has a motility disorder, these processes do not work as they should. This may cause difficulty swallowing, digesting food, or having bowel movements, depending on the condition. Read on to learn more about different motility disorders, including their symptoms, causes, and treatment. Share on Pinterest Juan Moyano/Stocksy A motility disorder is a condition that causes food and waste to move through the digestive tract in an atypical way. It may move slower or faster than it should or allow food to move backward when it should not. This happens when the processes that move food along the digestive tract stop working as usual. The body moves food through the digestive tract in During peristalsis, the longitudinal muscles that run down the outside of the digestive tract contract and relax. This propels food forward. Segmentation divides and mixes the contents of the digestive tract. Many things can disrupt these processes, including structural differences in Doctors broadly divide the digestive tract into upper and lower se...

Intestinal obstruction is significant mechanical impairment or complete arrest of the passage of contents through the intestine due to pathology that causes blockage of the bowel. Symptoms include cramping pain, vomiting, obstipation, and lack of flatus. Diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by abdominal x-rays. Treatment is fluid resuscitation, nasogastric suction, and, in most cases of complete obstruction, surgery. Mechanical obstruction is divided into obstruction of the small bowel (including the duodenum) and obstruction of the large bowel. Obstruction may be partial or complete. About 85% of partial small-bowel obstructions resolve with nonoperative treatment, whereas about 85% of complete small-bowel obstructions require surgery. Etiology of Intestinal Obstruction Overall, the most common causes of mechanical obstruction are adhesions, Hernias of the Abdominal Wall A hernia of the abdominal wall is a protrusion of the abdominal contents through an acquired or congenital area of weakness or defect in the wall. Many hernias are asymptomatic, but some become... read more , and tumors. Other general causes are Colonic Diverticulitis Diverticulitis is inflammation with or without infection of a diverticulum, which can result in phlegmon of the bowel wall, peritonitis, perforation, fistula, or abscess. The primary symptom... read more , Overview of Foreign Bodies in the Gastrointestinal Tract A variety of foreign bodies may enter the gastrointestinal (GI) tract intentional...

Paralytic ileus occurs when the muscle contractions that move food through your intestines are temporarily paralyzed. It’s a functional problem of the muscles and nerves that mimics an intestinal obstruction even when nothing is obstructing them. Food becomes trapped in the intestines, leading to constipation, bloating and gas. Overview What is paralytic ileus? Paralytic ileus occurs in the intestines, the long, tube-like passageway where food is broken down and absorbed before the waste is pushed out as poop. The intestines process your food along this journey through a series of wave-like movements called How does paralytic ileus occur? Different kinds of conditions can inhibit your motility — your ability to process food through the digestive system. Paralytic ileus is a functional problem rather than a mechanical one. There's nothing Symptoms and Causes What are the symptoms of paralytic ileus? Symptoms may include: • • • • • • If any of these symptoms are severe, you should treat them as an emergency. What causes paralytic ileus? Different kinds of conditions can cause temporary ileus, including: Surgery Surgery is the most common cause of paralytic ileus. Surgeons expect and plan for it following abdominal operations. But other surgeries can also trigger it. Inflammation Inflammation of the abdominal cavity interrupts intestinal function. Inflammation may be caused by local irritation or toxic infection, such as: • • • • • • • • • • Medications Medications known to s...

Digested food particles must travel through 25 feet or more of intestines as part of normal digestion. These digested wastes are constantly in motion. However, intestinal obstruction can put a stop to this. An intestinal obstruction occurs when your small or large intestine is blocked. The blockage can be partial or total, and it prevents passage of fluids and digested food. If intestinal obstruction happens, things will build up behind the site of the blockage. This buildup includes: • food • fluids • gastric acids • gas If enough pressure builds up, your intestine can rupture, leaking harmful intestinal contents and bacteria into your abdominal cavity. This is a life threatening complication. There are many potential causes of intestinal obstruction. Often, this condition can’t be prevented. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. An untreated intestinal obstruction can be fatal. Intestinal obstruction causes a wide range of symptoms, including: • severe • • • • • inability to pass gas or stool • • • severe abdominal cramps • Some symptoms may depend on the location and length of time of the obstruction. For example, vomiting is an early sign of small intestine obstruction. Vomiting may also occur with an obstruction of your large intestine, if it’s ongoing. A partial obstruction can result in diarrhea, while a complete obstruction can make you unable to pass gas or stool. Intestinal obstruction may also cause serious infection and inflammation of your abdominal cavit...