Paralytic ileus is a disease that affects the intestine, modifying or stopping its motility; in healthy people, during digestion, food passes through the intestine until it is digested or eliminated by peristaltic movements; however, in people with paralyzed ileus these movements do not. occur or are almost non-existent, and can cause symptoms such as loss of appetite, constipation, vomiting or even intestinal obstruction. Learn more about this disease.
Paralytic ileus can be caused by other diseases or by taking certain medications, and can cause very serious problems if not treated, such as a perforation of the intestine or a widespread infection, also known as sepsis, so treatment should be done as soon as possible. possible, possible.
Paralytic ileus can be caused by several factors, including
In addition, this disease may also be due to the formation of fibrous tissue, which can occur after abdominal surgery, so it is important to be attentive to symptoms in the postoperative period.
The most common symptoms that may occur in people with this disease are abdominal pain, loss of appetite, constipation, swelling of the abdomen, fullness, nausea and vomiting, which may contain traces of stool.
In more severe cases, complications such as bowel cell necrosis can occur due to decreased blood at the site or perforation of the intestine, which can cause an infection called peritonitis, which occurs due to the spread of a bacteria present in the gut. called E. Coli. . If not treated, it can cause sepsis and organ failure.
Before treating the paralytic ileus, it is necessary to identify the root cause. To do this, your doctor may make a diagnosis using a physical exam, x-ray, CT scan, or ultrasound.
Paralytic ileon can heal on its own, and is sufficient to stabilize the person by administering fluids through the vein, inserting a nasogastric tube to suck air and fluids, which will help relieve abdominal swelling; However, if there is no improvement, your doctor should opt for another treatment to prevent the onset of intestinal obstruction.
If it is a drug that causes the problem, your doctor may stop taking this medicine or prescribe a drug that stimulates intestinal transit, such as metoclopramide or domperidone.
If the blockage is partial, i. e. if certain foods and liquids continue to be transported to the intestine, simply stabilize the person and follow a low-fiber diet, and a medicine may also be prescribed to speed up intestinal transit.
In case of total obstruction, or if partial obstruction treatment does not work, surgery may be needed to relieve this blockage, remove part of the intestine, or even remove the entire intestine. necessary to practice a stoma, which involves creating a channel that connects the intestine to a kind of po bag, through an opening in the abdomen, through which the stool is removed.