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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
Many conditions can cause intestinal obstruction. Intestinal obstruction can occur as the result of a "mechanical" obstruction — when something, such as a hernia or tumor, is physically blocking your intestine. Or intestinal obstruction can occur as the result of a condition in which your intestines don't function properly. This type of intestinal obstruction is called paralytic ileus (pseudo-obstruction).
Mechanical obstruction of the small intestine
Common causes of mechanical obstruction in the small intestine include:
- Intestinal adhesions — bands of fibrous tissue in the abdominal cavity that often form after abdominal or pelvic surgery
- Hernias — portions of intestine that protrude into another part of your body
- Tumors in the small intestine
- Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease
- Twisting of the intestine (volvulus)
- Telescoping of the intestine (intussusception)
Mechanical obstruction of the colon
Mechanical intestinal obstruction is much less common in the colon than in the small intestine. Causes of mechanical colonic obstruction can include:
- Colon cancer
- Diverticulitis — a condition in which small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the digestive tract become inflamed or infected
- Twisting of the colon (volvulus)
- Impacted feces
- Narrowing of the colon caused by inflammation and scarring (stricture)
Paralytic ileus
Paralytic ileus can cause signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction, but doesn't involve an actual obstruction. In paralytic ileus, the intestines don't function properly due to muscle or nerve problems. Movement of the intestines is greatly reduced or absent, making it difficult for food and fluid to flow smoothly through the digestive system.
Paralytic ileus can affect any part of the intestine. Causes can include:
- Abdominal surgery
- Pelvic surgery
- Infection
- Certain medications
- Muscle and nerve disorders, such as Parkinson's disease
- Turnage RH, et al. Intestinal obstruction. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Foxx-Orenstein AE. Ileus and pseudo-obstruction. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisinger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-1-4160-6189-2&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6189-2..X0001-7--TOP&uniq=200844987-3. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Torrey SP, et al. Disorders of the small intestine. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&uniq=216142190-4. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Peterson MA. Disorders of the large intestine. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookHome&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&uniq=216142190-4. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Intestinal pseudo-obstruction. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinalpo/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
- Abdominal adhesions. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinaladhesions/index.htm. Accessed Aug. 24, 2010.
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