Ileus

Intestinal obstruction can be partial or complete blockage of the intestine, either large or small. It is more common in the small intestine.

Symptoms

Symptoms of an intestinal obstruction include

• severe abdominal cramping and pain
• fever
• vomiting, particularly material that looks like coffee grounds
• lack of bowel movement

Causes

Intestinal obstruction may occur for a number of reasons, including Gastrointestinal stromal tumors, narrowing of the intestine (stricture) due to crohn's disease and scarring from abdominal surgery

Treatment

Treatment for bowel obstruction is largely about reducing pain for the patient, making sure they remain hydrated, and avoiding bowel perforation. Hydration and pain relief can be given by IV. If the bowel is severely obstructed, and the obstruction does not pass, the patient may require surgery to remove the cause of the obstruction.