Intestinal Pseudo-ObstructionSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Overview
Learn About Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction
Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a condition in which there are symptoms of blockage of the intestine (bowels) without any physical blockage.
Primary intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Acute colonic ileus; Colonic pseudo-obstruction; Idiopathic intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Ogilvie syndrome; Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction; Paralytic ileus - pseudo-obstruction; Acute intestinal pseudo-obstruction
In people with intestinal pseudo-obstruction, the intestine does not contract and push food, stool, and air through the digestive tract. The cause of the problem is often unknown. However, problems with the bowel's muscles or nerves may be a cause.
The condition may start suddenly or be a chronic or long-term problem. The chronic form of the disorder most often affects the small intestine or large intestine (colon). The acute form of the disorder affects the large intestine.
Risk factors include:
- Cerebral palsy or other brain or nervous system disorders.
- Chronic kidney, lung, or heart disease.
- Staying in bed for long periods of time (bedridden).
- Taking medicines that slow intestinal movements. These include narcotic (pain) medicines and medicines used when you are not able to keep urine from leaking out.
- After surgery.
Symptoms include:
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swollen abdomen (abdominal distention)
- Weight loss
The following treatments may be tried:
- Moving around (walking, changing position in bed).
- Colonoscopy may be used to remove air from the large intestine.
- Fluids can be given through a vein to replace fluids lost from vomiting or diarrhea.
- Nasogastric suction involving a nasogastric (NG) tube placed through the nose into the stomach or small intestine, or a tube through the rectum into the large intestine can be used to remove air from the bowel.
- Neostigmine may be used to treat intestinal pseudo-obstruction that is only in the large bowel (Ogilvie syndrome). This requires cardiac monitoring due to the risk of bradycardia.
- Other medicines may be tried.
- Special diets often do not work. However, vitamin B12 and other vitamin supplements should be used for people with vitamin deficiency.
- Correcting blood disturbances such as low potassium and others.
- Rarely a tube to vent the intestine is placed in the first part of the large intestine (cecum).
- Stopping the medicines that may have caused the problem (such as narcotic medicines) may help.
In severe cases, surgery may be needed.
Roberto De Giorgio practices practicing medicine in Ferrara, Italy. Mr. De Giorgio is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Short Bowel Syndrome, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Liver Transplant.
Vincenzo Stanghellini practices practicing medicine in Bologna, Italy. Mr. Stanghellini is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction. He is also highly rated in 12 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Indigestion, Diverticular Disease, and Endoscopy.
Elena Bonora practices practicing medicine in Bologna, Italy. Ms. Bonora is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction. She is also highly rated in 3 other conditions, according to our data. Her clinical expertise encompasses Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction, Troyer Syndrome, Short Bowel Syndrome, and Leri-Weill Dyschondrosteosis.
Most cases of acute pseudo-obstruction get better in a few days with treatment. In chronic forms of the disease, symptoms can come back and get worse over many years.
There is a high risk of perforation (hole) if the cecum dilates to greater than 12 cm in diameter. It may require surgical removal of the involved part of the bowel. This may result in an ostomy (attaching the bowel to the abdomen and stool passes into a bag. If malnutrition happens, you may need to be fed through a tube or the vein. Other parts of the gastrointestinal tract may also have problems from poor contraction.
Complications may include:
- Diarrhea
- Rupture (perforation) of the intestine
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Weight loss
Contact your provider if you have abdominal pain that does not go away or other symptoms of this disorder.
Summary: The primary objective of this study is to describe the transcriptional impact of R178, R257, R40 or A136 variants of the ACTG2 gene on iPS differentiation mechanisms up to organoids derived from PIPO patient samples versus those derived from control / WT patients (generation of IPS from cultured cell lines), at different stages of their experimental ex vivo development.
Summary: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) as an adjunctive therapeutic method to reduce opioid consumption during the postoperative period of cardiac and thoracic surgeries. Conducted at InCor/HCFMUSP, this single-center, prospective, randomized trial will include 60 patients aged 16 to 40 undergoing procedures such as valve replacements, pulmonary decortication, an...
Published Date: April 27, 2026
Published By: Todd Eisner, MD, Private practice specializing in Gastroenterology in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida at Gastroenterology Consultants of Boca Raton. Affiliate Assistant Professor, Florida Atlantic University School of Medicine. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bharucha AE, Prichard DO. Ileus and pseudo-obstruction syndromes. In: Chung RT, Rubin DT, Wilcox CM, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 126.
Camilleri M. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 122.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Definition & facts of intestinal pseudo-obstruction. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/intestinal-pseudo-obstruction/definition-facts. Updated October 2021. Accessed August 1, 2026.