Intestinal Obstruction: MedlinePlus

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Illustration of the large intestine, small intestine and rectum

Related Topics
- Adhesions
- Digestive System
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- Services and providers for Intestinal Obstruction in the U.S.
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National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Intestinal Obstruction is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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Bowel Obstruction(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)

Basics	Learn More	Multimedia & Cool Tools
Overviews Treatment	Specific Conditions Related Issues	No links available
Research	Reference Shelf	For You
Clinical Trials Genetics Journal Articles	Dictionaries/Glossaries Directories Organizations	Children

Overviews
- Anatomic Problems of the Colon(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
- Intestinal Obstruction(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Intestinal Obstruction(Merck & Co., Inc.)
Treatment
- 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)
Specific Conditions
- Constipation and Impaction(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
- Gastrointestinal Complications (PDQ) - Bowel Obstruction(National Cancer Institute)
- Intussusception(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Related Issues
- Ileus(Merck & Co., Inc.)
- Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Fecal Impaction(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Obstruction(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Intestinal Volvulus(National Institutes of Health)
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Genetics
- Genetics Home Reference: Epidermolysis bullosa with pyloric atresia(National Library of Medicine)
- Genetics Home Reference: Feingold syndrome(National Library of Medicine)
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Digestive Diseases Dictionary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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Directories
- Find a Surgeon(American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons)
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Organizations
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
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Children
- Anorectal Malformation(Children's Hospital Boston)
- Intestinal Atresia and Stenosis(Children's Hospital Boston)
- Intestinal Malrotation(Nemours Foundation)
- Intestinal Malrotation-Volvulus(Children's Hospital of Philadelphia)
- Intussusception(American Academy of Family Physicians)
  Also available in Spanish
- What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung's Disease(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
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