Intestinal blockage is also known as ileus, paralytic ileus, bowel obstruction or volvulus (blockage due to intestinal twisting). It refers to partial or complete obstruction of the small or large intestine, and prevents the normal movement of fluids, solids or gas within the intestines. Blockage in the small intestine is called small bowel obstruction, and that in the large intestine is termed as large bowel obstruction or colonic obstruction.

Such blockage may occur due to mechanical obstruction caused by intestinal adhesions, bowel endometriosis, tumors, bowel twisting, inflammation, infection, etc. Malfunction of the peristaltic muscles due to injury and medications also leads to intestinal blockage. It can also be the result of post-surgery complications. However, the symptoms experienced are more or less similar in all the cases. The signs and symptoms associated with such intestinal blockage have been described below.