National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Intestinal Obstruction is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
A service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine 
National Institutes of Health
Intestinal Obstruction
Also called: Bowel obstruction, Intestinal volvulus, Paralytic ileus
An intestinal obstruction occurs when food or stool cannot move through the intestines. The obstruction can be complete or partial. There are many causes. The most common are adhesions, hernias, cancers, and certain medicines.
Symptoms include
- Severe abdominal pain or cramping
- Vomiting
- Bloating
- Loud bowel sounds
- Swelling of the abdomen
- Inability to pass gas
- Constipation
A complete intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency. It often requires surgery.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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Start Here
- Bowel Obstruction(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Basics
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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For group Basics
For group Learn More
For group Multimedia & Cool Tools
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The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups:
Research
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Reference Shelf
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For You
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For group Research
For group Reference Shelf
For group For You
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Overviews
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Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI Tract(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Intestinal Obstruction(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Intestinal Obstruction(Merck & Co., Inc.)
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Anatomic Problems of the Lower GI Tract
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- CT Enterography(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America)
- GI Radiographic Tests(American College of Gastroenterology)
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Treatment
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Bowel Diversion Surgeries: Ileostomy, Colostomy, Ileoanal Reservoir, and Continent Ileostomy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Colectomy(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Colostomy - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Intestinal obstruction repair - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Small bowel resection - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
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Bowel Diversion Surgeries: Ileostomy, Colostomy, Ileoanal Reservoir, and Continent Ileostomy
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Specific Conditions
- Constipation and Impaction(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
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Gastrointestinal Complications (PDQ) - Bowel Obstruction(National Cancer Institute)
- Intestinal Ischemia(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Intussusception(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Motility Disorders of the Large Intestine(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
- Motility Disorders of the Small Intestine(International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders)
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Related Issues
- Ileus(Merck & Co., Inc.)
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Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Fecal Impaction(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Obstruction(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Volvulus(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Intussusception(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Fecal Impaction
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Genetics
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Genetics Home Reference: Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Feingold syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
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Digestive Diseases Dictionary
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Also available in Spanish
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Digestive Diseases Dictionary
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Directories
- Find a Surgeon(American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
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Organizations
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Children
- Hirschsprung Disease(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Intestinal Malrotation(Nemours Foundation)
- Intestinal obstruction (pediatric) - slideshow
- Also available in Spanish
- Intussusception(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
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What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung Disease(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Patient Handouts
- Abdominal CT scan
- Also available in Spanish
- Intestinal obstruction
- Also available in Spanish
- Intestinal obstruction repair
- Also available in Spanish
- Intestinal or bowel obstruction - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Intussusception (children)
- Also available in Spanish
- Large bowel resection - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Low-residue fiber diet
- Also available in Spanish
- Primary intestinal pseudo-obstruction
- Also available in Spanish
- Small bowel resection
- Also available in Spanish
- Small bowel resection - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
- Total colectomy or proctocolectomy - discharge
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
