Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare condition in which patients experience symptoms of blocked intestines when there is no physical obstruction. Symptoms are caused by a failure of muscles to move food through the digestive system or trouble with the nerves controlling those muscles.
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction can be chronic, happening repeatedly over time, or it can come on suddenly. How long it lasts and the most effective treatment depends on the specific location and cause of the problem. It is, however, important that you speak to a specialist about care because the condition can worsen and become life-threatening if not addressed.
Symptoms & Diagnosis
There are several causes of intestinal pseudo-obstruction, ranging from genetic abnormalities to muscle or nerve damage in the intestines due to diabetes, Parkinson’s disease or muscular dystrophy. Infections or certain medications are also linked to the condition.
Every person’s experience is unique, but common symptoms of intestinal pseudo-obstruction include:
- Swelling or distention of the abdomen
- Pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble passing urine
There is no test we can do to diagnose intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Instead, we must eliminate other possible causes of your symptoms and confirm there is no actual intestinal obstruction. We might order one or more of the following to help us make a diagnosis:
- Blood test, including a check for infection
- CT scan or x-ray of the abdomen
- Stool culture
- Upper endoscopy or colonoscopy to get a better look at your digestive system. Endoscopy involves inserting a tube with a camera down your throat and a colonoscopy takes the same approach but through the rectum.
Treatment Options
The first goal when treating intestinal pseudo-obstruction is to reduce the swelling in your intestines so they don’t rupture. Options for that include:
- Medication. Some target the pseudo-obstruction itself while others can relieve related symptoms.
- Nasogastric (NG) tube. This is placed through your nose to drain the stomach or through the rectum to drain the colon.
- Colonoscopy. This procedure can help decompress the digestive tract.
- Nutrition support. If you’re eating less and/or your body is absorbing fewer nutrients, we may supplement your intake using a feeding tube placed into the stomach or intestine or intravenous feeding.
In more severe cases or if the above treatments do not help, we may need to surgically remove the affected portion of the intestine. This procedure might mean you’ll need an ostomy bag on the outside of your abdomen to collect waste.
Living with the Condition
Members of your care team are here to help you live a full life, even with a GI condition. In addition to your specialist, our nutritionists can tailor dietary plans to meet your specific needs, including added nutritional support if needed, and our behavioral health counselors can provide guidance as you live with a chronic disease. Our goal is always to provide you and your family support and expert medical care at every step of your journey.