Bowel obstruction – Ogilvie's syndrome

Description ileus

Ogilvie's syndrome is a type of bowel obstruction. This results in cessation of peristalsis. Peristalsis – wavelike contractions, which help the contents of the colon and small intestine to move through the intestines.

This type of bowel obstruction is “nonmechanical” intestinal obstruction. Another type is called “mechanical” obstruction. Mechanical obstruction occurs when a physical blockage of the intestine.

Causes of bowel obstruction

Bowel obstruction can cause:

• Abdominal surgery;
• Spine surgery;
• Injury or trauma;
• Infection, such as:
  • Abdominal infections: peritonitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis;
  • Pneumonia;
  • Severe generalized infections (sepsis);
• Heart attack;
• Electrolyte Imbalance;
• Disorders of muscle function;
• The use of certain drugs, such as narcotic medications for pain relief medication or for lowering high blood pressure;
• Poor blood supply to some parts of the gut (mesenteric ischemia).

Risk factors for ileus

Risk factors for ileus include:

• Bryushnaya surgery, infection, or injury;
• Spine surgery;
• Bowel obstruction, the former earlier;
• The use of certain painkillers or drugs for lowering high blood pressure;
• Some diseases, such as:
  • Pneumonia;
  • Heart attack.

Symptoms of bowel obstruction

Symptoms of bowel obstruction may include:

• Abdominal distention;
• Pain;
• Vomiting;
• Gripes;
• Ikotech;
• Failure of a chair or gas.

Diagnosis of ileus

Ileus diagnosed, usually, based on the symptoms and tests. Tests may include:

• X-ray examination;
• CT scan;
• Barium enema – analysis, for which the bowel is filled with a solution of a barium salt, and do an X-ray of the colon;
• Colonoscopy – a thin tube inserted through the rectum into the colon, to explore its cover.

Treatment of intestinal obstruction

If ileus was caused by surgery, it usually extends over 48 – 72 hours. In other cases, disease, which caused a bowel obstruction, should be treated.

Also, to help ease the symptoms of bowel obstruction may be performed the following procedures:

Diet

Patients, suffering from ileus, You should not eat, while the obstruction passes.

Nasogastric suction (NG tube)

The tube is inserted through the nose into the stomach, to remove digestive fluids. This will help relieve the pain and prevent bloating.

Intravenous fluids and electrolytes

Fluids injected into a vein, to avoid dehydration. Electrolytes are introduced, to help cure bowel obstruction.

Medication

There are medicines, that increase peristalsis (Proserinum, Tegaserod), and that you can use, to assist in decision ileus.

Decompression via colonoscopy

The flexible tube may be inserted into the colon, to reduce the pressure in the intestine.

Surgery

Rarely, solutions to problems you want to delete part of the intestine.

Prevention of bowel obstruction

Since ileus, usually, the result of trauma, surgery, or disease, methods of its prevention does not exist.