Hello All:

A day or so ago, a member, @nancybev, mentioned idiopathic bowel obstruction where the symptoms of bowel obstruction are present, but there are no diagnostic findings on scans, etc. As I found this intriguing, I did a search and came up with an article on the NORD website. NORD is the the National Organization of Rare Disorders. Here is a link to that information, https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/chronic-intestinal-pseudo-obstruction/

I am copying the Summary from this article but please read the entire article.

"Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIP) is a rare, potentially disabling gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abnormalities affecting the involuntary, coordinated muscular contractions (a process called peristalsis) of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Peristalsis propels food and other material through the digestive system under the control of nerves, pacemaker cells and hormones. CIP usually results from abnormalities affecting the muscles or nerves that are involved in peristalsis. Consequently, peristalsis becomes altered and inefficient. The symptoms of CIP resemble those caused by mechanical obstruction of the small bowel. Mechanical obstruction refers to something (such as a tumor, scar tissue, etc.) physically blocking the passage of food and other material through the GI tract. In individuals with CIP no such physical obstruction is present, hence the term pseudo-obstruction. Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal swelling (distention) and constipation. Ultimately, normal nutritional requirements cannot be met leading to unintended weight loss and malnourishment. CIP can potentially cause severe, even life-threatening complications."

This "lack of peristalsis" might be a problem for many of us who have this chronic problems.