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- This refers to a group of rare disorders that involve a dysfunction of the small and the large intestines.
- In conditions that cause PO, the
nerves and muscles in the wall of the intestine that
normally help with moving (gut motility) digested food
material from the stomach to the rectum are often affected
(damaged). When a section of the intestine is not
contracting (muscles shortening), normal gut mobility (in
that area) is compromised and food and digested material
pile up as if there was something blocking their
movement. However, since there is nothing blocking
their path, the condition is referred to as pseudo (i.e.,
false) obstruction.
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- Most commonly, a long term chronic problem with symptoms daily or intermittent
- The sections of the gut that PO is present in can have bacterial overgrowth that may interfere with proper absorption of foods and other nutrients such as vitamins.
- Most common symptom is abdominal pain -- usually cramping or colicky (comes and goes).
- Bloated feeling as if there is excess gas in the belly
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chronic or intermittent Constipation
- The walls of the colon (large intestine) can enlarge and thin over years and may rupture (megacolon) -- this is a surgical emergency.
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- Symptoms
- Medications
- Surgeries
- Illnesses
- Family history
- Psychiatric history
- Habits
- Foods
- Doctor may refer you to a gastroenterologist (Gut doctor).
- The abdomen may be distended.
- There may be weight loss.
- There may be signs of other diseases.
- The doctor may perform a rectal examination using his index finger.
- Blood tests, X-Rays (abdominal series), and special procedures such as endoscopy (looking inside with a flexible camera), CAT scans, Ultrasound (pictures using sound) and Barium Enema (X-Rays after patient drinks chalky dye) are often normal or of little help.
- Best diagnosis -- done by a physician who takes a good history and does a full exam.
- Gut pressure measurement and surgically removing a piece of the affected section (biopsy) and looking for the underlying cause -- done in some hospitals.
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- Treat the cause
- Avoid prolonged periods of bed rest
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid drugs
- Eat fruits, vegetables, and fish
- Limit fried greasy foods, dairy, and other animal products
- Vitamins and nutritional supplements may be helpful
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Avoid overuse of laxatives, opiates, and other drugs that constipate
- During attacks of PO:
- Eat liquid foods like soups
- Medications to reduce or stop vomiting are helpful.
- Nasogastric tube can be placed into the stomach to allow excess gas to escape.
- Medications that increase motility such as erythromycin can be prescribed.
- Fluids -- needed if vomiting for long time
- Fluids -- given intravenously (in the blood) as needed.
- Surgical intervention is rarely needed.
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If you have sudden severe abdominal pain, vomit blood or vomit non-stop, have fever or brown/dark loose stool-contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.
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