Ileus

A nonmechanical impairment of intestinal motility causing functional bowel obstruction, characterized by absent or markedly reduced peristalsis, abdominal distension, pain, and intolerance of oral intake in the absence of a luminal blockage. Possible causes are abdominal surgery, medications (opioids, anticholinergics, chemotherapy, psychiatric drugs), electrolyte imbalances (hypokalemia, hypocalcemia), infections (appendicitis, diverticulitis, peritonitis, sepsis), mesenteric ischemia, hypothyroidism, and diabetes.