Hypoactive bowel sounds

Decreased intestinal sounds in tone and frequency (<5 sounds per minute) on abdominal auscultation, reflecting reduced gastrointestinal motility with diminished frequency, intensity, or regularity compared with normal bowel activity.

Causes

• Postoperative paralytic ileus

• Severe constipation

• Functional bowel motility disorders

• Mechanical causes

  • Intestinal obstruction

  • Tumor causing bowel blockage

  • Hernia causing obstruction

  • Intestinal stricture

  • Adhesions causing impaired bowel transit

• Medications reducing intestinal motility

  • Opioids/narcotics

  • Antihistamines

  • Antispasmodic medications

  • Anticholinergic drugs

• Peritonitis

• Intra-abdominal inflammation

• Hypokalemia

• Intestinal ischemia

• Abdominal radiation therapy

• Chemotherapy-related bowel dysfunction

• Severe systemic illness

• Trauma

• Advanced age with reduced gastrointestinal motility