Intestinal obstruction
Alternative Names
Paralytic ileus; Intestinal volvulus; Bowel obstruction; Ileus; Pseudo-obstruction - intestinal; Colonic ileusSymptoms
- Abdominal fullness, gaseous
- Abdominal distention
- Abdominal pain and cramping
- Vomiting
- Failure to pass gas or stool (constipation)
- Diarrhea
- Breath odor
Exams and Tests
While listening to the abdomen with a stethoscope your health care provider may hear high-pitched bowel sounds at the onset of mechanical obstruction. If the obstruction has persisted for too long or the bowel has been significantly damaged, bowel sounds decrease, eventually becoming silent.
Early paralytic ileus is marked by decreased or absent bowel sound.
Tests that show obstruction include:
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