About this topic
Ileus is when the normal movement of the bowels stops. This movement or contraction helps the digested food move from the small bowel to the colon. If movement stops, and the food cannot get through, the contents in the bowel will be stuck and there will be problems passing stool. Water and food may not be absorbed. ‚
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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.
- You may still have a tube in your nose or belly to drain digestive fluids. Talk to your doctor about how to clean and care for it.
- Your doctor may suggest a liquid or soft diet until your bowel is stable and ready for regular food.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of clear fluids each day.
- Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) and caffeine.
- Talk to your doctor about what foods to avoid that may cause gas, loose stools, or constipation.
- If you become sick to your stomach, you should avoid solid foods and try drinking clear liquids until your signs are better.
- If you had surgery to take out part of your bowel, talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site.
Ask your doctor about: ‚
- When 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, driving, or sex
- If you have a colostomy or ileostomy (bags on your belly that collect stool), your doctor will tell you how to care for it.
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: ‚
- Help with pain and swelling
- Keep bowel movements normal
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Exercise may help improve bowel movements. Talk to your doctor about the right kind of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Need for salt and water
- Bowel function does not return to normal
- Tear or hole in the bowel
- Infection
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Not able to pass stool or gas
- Very upset stomach or throwing up
- Very bad belly pain
- Swelling in your belly
- Loose stools that last more than 1 day
- Blood in your stool
- If you had surgery, any redness or drainage from your wound
- 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 what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have very bad belly pain, upset stomach, throwing up, or loose stools.
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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚