Common Causes Of A Paralytic Ileus

The intestines in the human body measure close to twenty-eight feet long. When individuals eat any food, it will need to travel a lengthy distance through the intestines before they're completely digested. For food to travel properly through the intestines, muscle contractions will need to occur on a regular basis to push the food forward. However, a range of problems can stop these contractions from occurring like they are supposed to, which could be caused by nerve issues or muscle problems. An ileus is a condition that results from a slowing or ceasing of these contractions. A paralytic ileus is a form of this condition that occurs when the intestinal muscles are affected by paralysis, which is a loss of muscular power. For patients to be affected by a paralytic ileus, the paralysis can be either partial or complete. The presence of this condition may lead to constipation, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal distention. Learn about the causes of a paralytic ileus now.

Post-Surgical Scarring

The scarring that will naturally develop following abdominal surgery may result in the development of a paralytic ileus. Abdominal surgery refers to any kind of procedure that focuses on organs like the stomach, large intestine, spleen, liver, and gallbladder. Whether the surgery is performed as a laparoscopic or open procedure, patients will experience at least some scarring around the area where the incisions were made. The post-surgical scarring that occurs following abdominal surgery can lead to nerve problems in the muscles that prevent the intestinal muscles from contracting properly. Along with the visible scars on the surface of the skin, additional scarring can occur in the layers below. Scarring often leads to issues with movement in the affected area, which is why this kind of scarring can inhibit an individual's ability to properly digest their food.

Get to know more about the common causes of a paralytic ileus now.

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease is a serious disorder of the progressive nervous system that adversely affects movement. When an individual is first affected by this disorder, symptoms will likely begin to occur gradually where it can be difficult to notice them. It's possible the tremors Parkinson's disease causes will begin in a single hand and will be barely noticeable in the early days of the condition. The first stages will likely cause slurred or soft speech along with a lack of facial expressions. These symptoms will invariably worsen as time progresses. When individuals have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, it's important to understand the condition can't be fully cured. However, the symptoms can be substantially reduced in severity. A couple of common symptoms that occur with Parkinson's disease include muscle stiffness and a loss of certain automatic movements throughout the body. It's possible the nerves and muscles within the intestines will be affected by Parkinson's disease, which can lead to paralytic ileus.

Learn more about what can cause a paralytic ileus now.

Intussusception

Intussusception is a very serious condition that most commonly affects children and occurs when a portion of the intestine inadvertently slides into another portion. When this issue occurs, it's possible for fluid or food to be blocked from passing through the intestine. A cutting off of the blood supply from the affected part of the intestine can cause a paralytic ileus. If left untreated for a significant period, this may lead to a perforation in the bowel as well as other issues like the death or infection of the bowel tissue. This usually occurs in children under three years old, though it's not yet known why this condition develops in a child. In most cases, treatment will fix the issue without any further problems. However, adult cases usually occur because of an underlying condition, such as the presence of a tumor. When a child is affected by the condition, an x-ray procedure may be all that's needed to reposition the intestine. For adults, surgery is oftentimes necessary.

Get the details on more causes of a paralytic ileus now.

Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is another condition primarily centered around the intestines. It's among the most common diseases in the world and is known to cause issues with an individual's digestive tract. When an individual is affected by diverticulitis, formations known as diverticula will occur along the digestive tract, of which the primary affected component is the large intestine. When these formations become inflamed and swollen, it's possible for bacteria to get into them, which causes an infection that leads to diverticulitis. The seriousness of this condition depends on how it progresses in the patient's body. Most cases of this condition are minor enough that they won't create too many problems with the patient's intestines. However, there are times when this condition can recur as either an acute or chronic problem. If the condition isn't treated early enough, the damage done to the individual's intestines may create a paralytic ileus.

Discover the next cause of a paralytic ileus now.

Certain Medications

The medications patients are prescribed following an abdominal surgery may have created problems in their digestive tract that eventually manifested themselves as a paralytic ileus. There are certain medications known to heighten an individual's risk of developing this condition, the primary of which include oxycodone and morphine. A couple of additional medications that might have caused a paralytic ileus include hydromorphone and tricyclic antidepressants, the latter of which extends to imipramine and amitriptyline. If patients believe these medications may be the reason they're suffering from a paralytic ileus, the good news is recovering from these issues may be as simple as lessening their dosage of the specific medication, which should be done under the guidance of the doctor or surgeon who prescribed the medication.