Spastic ileus is a type of intestinal obstruction that occurs due to spasms in the bowel. The term “ileus” refers to an obstruction of the intestine, while “spastic” denotes the involvement of muscle spasms.
In spastic ileus:
- Bowel Spasms: The normal rhythmic contractions of the bowel become irregular or excessive, leading to spasms. These spasms can disrupt the passage of food and digestive contents through the intestine.
- Obstruction Symptoms: Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and constipation or inability to pass gas. These symptoms arise because the spasms hinder the movement of the intestinal contents.
- Causes: Spastic ileus can be triggered by various factors, including gastrointestinal infections, medications, stress, or underlying conditions affecting the bowel’s motility.
Treatment often focuses on relieving the spasm and addressing the underlying cause. This may involve medications to reduce spasticity, changes in diet, and in some cases, procedures to relieve the obstruction.