Intestinal Pseudoobstruction - Quest Diagnostics Patient Health Library

Intestinal Pseudoobstruction

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Intestinal Pseudoobstruction is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Chronic Idiopathic Intestinal Pseudoobstruction
CIIP
Congenital Short Bowel Syndrome
Hypomotility Disorder
Pseudointestinal Obstruction Syndrome
Pseudoobstructive Syndrome

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Intestinal pseudoobstruction is a digestive disorder that may be present at birth. The intestinal walls are unable to contract normally (hypomotility) to generate wave-like (peristaltic) motion. This condition resembles a true obstruction, but no such blockage exists. Abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, malabsorption of nutrients leading to weight loss and/or failure to thrive, are signal signs. Enlargement of various parts of the small intestine or bowel also occur.

There are two kinds of Intestinal pseudoobstruction, depending on the source of the failure of the gastrointestinal tract. If the problem is abnormal functioning of the nerves of the abdominal wall leading to non-synchronized contractions, then the episode is classified as neurogenic and the disorder is known as neuropathic pseudoobstruction. If the functional failure can be traced to weak or absent contractions of the muscle itself, then it is classified as myogenic and the disorder is known as myopathic pseudoobstruction.
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Resources

Association of Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders, Inc. (AGMD)
AGMD International Corporate Headquarters
12 Roberts Drive
Bedford, MA 01730
Tel: (781)275-1300
Fax: (781)275-1304
Email: digestive.motility@gmail.com
Internet: http://www.agmd-gimotility.org

NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Endocrine Diseases Metabolic Diseases Branch
2 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3570
Tel: (301)654-3810
Fax: (301)496-7422
Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.niddk.nih.gov

International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
P.O. Box 170864
Milwaukee, WI 53217
USA
Tel: 4149641799
Fax: 4149647176
Tel: 8889642001
Email: iffgd@iffgd.org
Internet: http://www.iffgd.org

Bowel Group for Kids Incorporated
Bowel Group for Kids Inc.-Stet
PO Box 40
Oakdale, NSW, 2570
Austrailia
Tel: 61 2 4659 6186
Fax: 61 2 4659 6381
Email: gribbins@ozemail.com.au

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 4/17/2003
Copyright 1987, 1988, 1989, 1994, 2003 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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