Intestinal obstruction is a blockage that keeps food or liquid from passing through your small intestine or large intestine (colon). Intestinal obstruction may be caused by fibrous bands of tissue in the abdomen (adhesions) which form after surgery, inflamed or infected pouches in your intestine (diverticulitis), hernias and tumors.<\/p>\n
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Without treatment, the blocked parts of the intestine can die, leading to serious problems. However, with prompt medical care, intestinal obstruction often can be successfully treated.<\/p>\n
Common causes of mechanical obstruction, in which something physically blocks the small intestine, include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Mechanical obstruction is much less common in the colon. Potential causes include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Paralytic ileus can cause signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction, but doesn’t involve a physical blockage. In paralytic ileus, muscle or nerve problems disrupt the normal coordinated muscle contractions of the intestines, slowing or stopping the movement of food and fluid through the digestive system.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Paralytic ileus can affect any part of the intestine. Causes can include:<\/p>\n
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\n<\/ul>\n Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Because of the serious complications that can develop from intestinal obstruction, seek immediate medical care if you have severe abdominal pain or other symptoms of intestinal obstruction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Mechanical obstruction of the colon<\/strong><\/p>\n
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Paralytic ileus<\/strong><\/p>\n
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SYMPTOMS<\/h2>\n
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When to see a doctor<\/strong><\/p>\n