Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) affects the movement of food, fluid, air, and waste through the intestines. It can be genetic or develop due to another health condition.
CIPO is a rare digestive disorder that can cause the intestines to not function properly.
It can result from health conditions that affect the nerves and muscles of the intestines. But it can also occur due to genetic mutations or without a known cause.
CIPO can affect infants, children, and adults. In infants, the cause is usually genetic.
Keep reading to read more about living with CIPO, including the symptoms and how to manage them, treatments, and recommended dietary changes.
With CIPO, the nerves and muscles responsible for moving food, liquid, air, and waste through the intestines may not function correctly. This can result in slow or no movement through the digestive tract.
The specific symptoms you experience can depend on the part of the intestine that has COPO, the underlying cause, and the severity.
- abdominal bloating and swelling
- abdominal pain, which may be severe
- nausea and vomiting
- constipation or diarrhea
- weight loss
- malnutrition or nutritional deficiencies
- failure to thrive, in infants
Treatment for CIPO typically involves reducing pressure and swelling in the intestines and taking other measures to
CIPO treatment usually involves hospitalization and other strategies for long-term management to prevent complications.
To decompress the intestines, doctors may recommend:
- medications like erythromycin or metoclopramide to support gut motility
- decompression with a nasogastric or rectal tube to drain the intestines
- procedures like colonoscopy or endoscopy
- surgery, if other measures don’t work
Doctors may also recommend other medications to treat side effects, including:
- medications to reduce nausea and vomiting
- medications to reduce diarrhea
- medications for pain relief
Treating the possible causes and complications of CIPO may also help relieve symptoms, for example:
- taking antibiotics to treat small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can result from CIPO
- undergoing treatment to manage other health conditions that may contribute to pseudo-obstruction
You may also need nutrition support if you have CIPO and can’t get enough nutrients. Doctors may recommend:
- liquid nutrition, if you can’t consume solid food
- enteral nutrition, which refers to a feeding tube inserted into the stomach or intestine
- parenteral nutrition, which refers to an intravenous feeding tube, if enteral nutrition isn’t possible
- ongoing dietary changes, once the intestines are decompressed
Some people may need surgery for CIPO. This can depend on your individual circumstances and the severity of your CIPO. Surgery may include:
- placing a tube into the stomach or small intestine for feeding and decompression
- creating an ileostomy or colectomy, which is an ostomy bag that collects waste from either the small or large intestine
- removal of part of the intestine, if pseudo-obstruction only affects a small part of one of the intestines
Without treatment, CIPO can result in complications. These may include:
- malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies
- unintended weight loss
- SIBO, which can affect the small intestine’s absorption of nutrients like vitamins A, D, E, and K
- intestinal failure, in which the small intestine can’t absorb the necessary nutrients and water to maintain your health
CIPO can also cause the intestines to twist, which can cause a physical obstruction.
If you’re living with CIPO, your care team may recommend making some dietary changes to help reduce your symptoms. This can include reducing your intake of or avoiding:
Doctors may also recommend cooking and blending all vegetables to make them easier to digest, as well as focusing your diet on lean proteins.
They may also suggest eating five or six small meals per day rather than three larger ones. This can also help support digestion and may reduce your symptoms.
If you can’t meet your nutritional needs, doctors may also suggest liquid meals and specific dietary supplements. However, it’s best to talk with your doctor or nutritionist before adding any dietary supplements or vitamins to your routine.
CIPO can stop food, liquid, air, and waste from passing through the digestive tract.
Treatment usually involves hospitalization to decompress the intestines, which can reduce the risk of complications, and nutrition support.
Treating the underlying cause of CIPO may help reduce the symptoms.
You may also have to follow specific nutritional guidelines to reduce your symptoms, while ensuring that you get adequate nutrition.