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Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a rare condition. Your intestine is no longer able to contract and move its contents. There is nothing blocking the intestine. Instead, there is often a nerve or muscle problem. When this happens, food and liquids are not able to pass through your intestines. ‚  
This problem may be caused by some other disease, being bedridden for long periods of time, or from taking certain drugs like narcotics that slow down the bowels. Other times, doctors do not know what causes the intestines not to contract. The treatment will depend on the cause. It will also depend on how bad the problem is. You may need drugs, nutritional support, surgery, and other procedures. ‚  


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What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Your doctor will order a different kind of diet until your intestine is stable and ready for regular food.
    • You may be given your nutrition as an IV feeding. This is where a tube is put into your vein. You are given nutrition through the IV.
    • You may have a tube placed through your nose into your stomach and hooked up to suction to remove air from your belly. This is an NG tube. A liquid diet that is easy to digest may be given through the NG tube when your body is ready.
  • Make sure you know how to care for your IV or NG tube.
  • Wash your hands before touching your IV or NG tube.
  • If you had surgery, talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
    • When and how you should change your bandages
    • When you may take a bath or shower
    • If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
    • When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Prevent or treat infection
  • Keep the healthy movement of your bowel
  • Help with pain and swelling
  • Manage the nerves that control your stomach muscles
  • Provide vitamin supplements

Will physical activity be limited?


Exercise may help improve your overall health. Ask your doctor for the exercises that are right for you. ‚  

What problems could happen?


  • Hard or loose stools
  • Vitamin deficiency
  • Fluid loss
  • Weight loss

When do I need to call the doctor?


  • Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
  • Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
  • Very bad belly pain
  • No stool or stools are very hard
  • Throwing up
  • Swelling of belly
  • A big weight loss
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you how to care for my cut site, if I have one.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, belly pain, throwing up, or swelling of my belly.

Where can I learn more?


National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚  
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/intestinalpo/ ‚  
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚  
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/1258/viewAbstract ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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